Brilio.net - Often experience leftover rice that dries out and feels hard the next day? This is a problem that many people experience. When rice is left overnight in a rice cooker or at room temperature, its moisture will decrease, causing its texture to become hard and less tasty to eat.
Some people choose to throw away leftover rice because they think it is no longer fit for consumption. In fact, with a few simple tricks, yesterday's rice can be returned to its original texture, and can even be tastier and more fragrant!
If you often experience this problem, there are several ways you can try to make leftover rice soft again. Here are some tricks that are often used so that yesterday's rice can be soft and delicious again like it was just cooked, summarized by BrilioFood from various sources.
3 surefire tricks to restore the softness of leftover rice
How to make yesterday's rice fluffier again
photo: shutterstock.com
One of the most effective ways to restore the softness of leftover rice is to re-steam it with the addition of water and a little sesame oil. Sesame oil not only helps restore the moisture of the rice, but also gives it a more savory aroma.
Material:
- 1 bowl of leftover rice
- 2 tablespoons water
- teaspoon sesame oil
How to make:
1. Prepare a steamer and heat the water until it boils.
2. Spread the remaining rice in a heatproof container.
3. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of water over the rice, then add sesame oil.
4. Steam for 5-10 minutes until the rice is soft again.
5. Stir gently before serving so that the steam is evenly distributed throughout the rice.
Additional tip: If you don't have a steamer, you can use a colander over a pan of boiling water as a substitute.
This method not only restores the softness of the rice, but also makes it more fragrant thanks to the banana leaves. Traditional food stalls often use this method to keep the rice soft and fragrant.
Material:
- 1 bowl of leftover rice
- 1 banana leaf
How to make:
1. Heat a non-stick frying pan over low heat.
2. Wrap the leftover rice in banana leaves and place on the pan.
3. Heat for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally so that the heat is evenly distributed.
4. Once it feels warm and soft, the rice is ready to be served.
Why use banana leaves?
- Gives a more delicious, distinctive aroma.
- Helps retain rice moisture without making it too wet.
- No need to add oil or water, so it's healthier.
For those who don't want to bother, this method can be the most practical choice. By using a rice cooker, leftover rice can be soft again in just 5 minutes.
Material:
- 1 bowl of leftover rice
- 2-3 tablespoons of hot water
- teaspoon margarine
How to make:
1. Put the leftover rice into the rice cooker.
2. Add hot water and margarine on top of the rice.
3. Close the rice cooker, then leave it in "warm" mode for 5 minutes.
4. Stir slowly so that the margarine and water are evenly mixed, then serve.
Additional tips:
- Don't use too much water so the rice doesn't become too soft.
- If you want it to be tastier, you can replace the margarine with a little coconut oil.
1. Can all types of rice be made soft again using this method?
Yes, almost all types of rice can be restored to their softness, be it white rice, brown rice, or sticky rice. However, stale or smelly rice cannot be used anymore.
2. Why does leftover rice in the refrigerator become harder?
When stored in the refrigerator, rice loses its moisture because the cooling process hardens the starch in the rice. That is why rice left at room temperature is usually softer than rice that is put in the refrigerator.
3. Can rice be reheated multiple times?
It's best not to. Reheating rice repeatedly can damage its texture and change its taste. If you've reheated rice once and still have some leftover, it's best to store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
4. How do you store rice so it doesn't harden quickly?
- Store rice in a tightly closed container if you want to leave it at room temperature.
- If storing in the refrigerator, use an airtight container so that the rice does not lose moisture.
- Don't leave the rice in the rice cooker for too long because it can make it dry and hard.
5. Can leftover rice be processed into other foods?
Of course! In addition to restoring its softness, leftover rice can also be processed into various delicious foods such as:
- Fried rice: Add spices and other ingredients to make it more delicious.
- Grilled rice: Wrapped in banana leaves and baked to make it more fragrant.
- Arancini (cheese rice balls): Perfect for a unique snack.
(brl/tin)
