As Bangladeshi, we grew up eating Rice, and I think it’s one of the best side dishes you can have with curry. Bangalis has a very common word which is “মাছে ভাতে বাঙালি ” (Mache Vate Bangali). There is no day that Bengalis do not eat Rice. It’s a simple dish, and it’s very versatile too.
Rice is the staple food of Bangladesh and one of the most popular and regular dishes. Rice is cooked in different ways depending on whether it is served as a main dish or a side dish. Rice also has many variations depending on the region. But you will learn best way to cook Bangladeshi rice recipe at home.
What is white rice?
White rice is one of the most famous and well-known rice varieties in Bangladesh. White rice is a type of long-grain rice that is polished and has the germ removed. It is widely used for lunch in Bangladesh.
The distinctive feature of White rice is its shiny husk, which gives it a yellowish appearance when seen under light. It has a longer maturation period than other types of black-grain rice and hence has a higher nutritional value. White rice also tends to have more gluten than other varieties because it matures at a lower temperature (around 30 °C).
How many cups of water do you need for white rice?
It depends on which type of rice you want to cook and which process or method you use. For the Absorption method, you need to add 2 cups of water for every cup of rice. And for the Draining method, you need to add a minimum of 4 cups of water for every cup of rice.
What can I add to rice to make it taste better?
There are a few things that you can add to rice to make it taste better. Some of these include:
Salt – Adding 1 tsp. salt to your rice will help to enhance the flavor and make it more palatable.
Lemon juice or Lime juice – Both of these juices give the rice a unique taste and smell and make it tastier than before. Lemon juice gives the rice a sour taste, while lime juice gives it an acidic taste with a hint of citrus flavor.
How to know white rice is cooked?
There are a few ways to know the rice is cooked:
1. Towards the end of cooking, A little bit of rice can be picked up with a spoon and pressed by hand to see if it is cooked in rice.
2. Test a small amount of rice with a fork. If it comes out easily and doesn’t stick to the fork, it’s ready.
3. Another way is when you see the rice become light, soft, fluffy, and not sticky, you will know that the rice is cooked perfectly.
What foods go good with rice?
Many foods go good with rice, but some of the most popular in Bangladeshi include:
Mutton curry – Rice is an excellent vehicle for delivering the flavors of the mutton curry because it absorbs the spices and flavorings very well. It means that you can enjoy the full flavor of the mutton curry without having to worry about any overpowering tastes.
Mutton Korma – Mutton korma and rice makes your tummy more filling and satisfying. Rice absorbs the flavor of the ingredients, making it a perfect accompaniment for mutton korma.
Chicken Bhuna – Chicken Bhuna goes well with rice because the spices in the sauce complement the flavor of the rice. The spices give the rice a delicious and unique flavor not found in other dishes.
Mughlai Chicken – Mughlai Chicken is a popular dish in the Mughal Empire made with chicken cooked in a special sauce. Mughlai Chicken goes well with rice because the chicken absorbs the flavors of the spices in the gravy, enhancing the rice’s taste.
Mutton Masala – The combination of spices in mutton masala makes it especially delicious and appealing to many people, which goes very well with rice.
Bonus tips for Bangladeshi Rice Recipe
1. Try to rinse the rice several times before cooking it to remove excess starch and water.
2. Wash the rice thoroughly in a strainer and soak it for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
3. Try to use long-grain white rice when cooking; otherwise, it will become sticky, and you’ll have a hard time cleaning up afterward.
4. When you cook in the Absorption method, never add more water than what is required because this will result in mushy rice that won’t taste good at all!
5. If you add a little bit of lemon juice when rice is boiling, the rice color becomes whiter.
5. If you want to make brown or wild rice, rinse the grains with cold water until they are almost dry before cooking them on high heat for 10-15 minutes or until they start popping!
6. Let the cooked rice cool slightly before serving it so that it is not too hot and easy to eat.
Ingredients
- Rice 2 cup
- Water as much require
Instructions
- Wash the rice grain with water 4 to 5 times or until the water is clear enough.
- Set water (4 times more water than rice) for boiling in a stockpot, add the washed rice, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes on medium-high flame. Stir in 2 to 3 times, so it doesn't stick down.
- When the rice swells and becomes soft, turn off the flame.
- Now drain the excess water immediately. Your Bangladesh rice is done.
- Now serve it with the food of your choice.
