Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Starchless Rice

Throughout my life I have been a rice eater. The first thing that I had to hear when starting dieting was to give up rice. It used to make me sad and miserable. I could never associate satisfaction without rice.

I got introduced to this version of rice when I was in class 12th, once I went for lunch at a punjabi friend house. The lunch was typical Rajma rice. The amazing thing was the rice felt so fluffy and light. It was then she told me that they cook rice in lot of water and then drain the starch.

After so many years when I was trying to reduce weight and not give up rice while doing so, I kind of remembered that day. But usually people just drain the starch once, I went ahead and drained it 3 times at least. Sometimes I do it 4 times.

It tastes like rice and I can enjoy it guilt free. It does not mean I over do my intake, I need to be moderate here. As I cook for 2 people I cook 2 fist of rice.

If you have not read the Rule of fist then read it here Mighty Rule of Fist

The rice really swells more then the pressure cooked or the steamed version.

It is time consuming no doubt but it is worth a try. Usually I keep it on gas while doing rest of my kitchen work.

Remember as the starch gets drained so does the nutrients, its great for adults who are trying to lose weight but NOT for kids. Compensate the nutrients lost with veggies and salad. I eat only this kind of rice.

Below are the steps to prepare this rice.

1. Take 2 fist rice in a pot and fill lots of water. Keep enough space for the water to boil.



2. Once the white froth starts coming up and water starts boiling , drain the water.



3. Again fill with the pot with water and keep it to boil.



4. You will see that the grains have started expanding. Again when the water boils and the white stuffs comes up drain.


5. Repeat the process 3 to 4 times.





Bon Apetite!!!

15 comments:

  1. Oh okk..so this is what you meant by 3 times. I just cook it in loads of water - more than people normally use for cooking the amount - and drain it. I read somewhere that adding colder water to the cooking rice spoils something in it - some ayurvedic theory. Maybe when you drain the first time and add water again you should make sure you are adding boiling water (?)

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  2. Dear Rads,

    I used to cook it in lots of water and then drain but I found that draining it 3 - 4 times, completely takes off the starch.

    My take on white rice is that it is already devoid of nutrients. Its a source of easy carbs and fiber. This kind of rice that I make is only a source of good fiber and nothing else. It creates bulk, there are almost no nutrients left in it. Adding cold water gives the rice a chance to leave its starch.

    I do not drain starch from brown rice.

    During weight loss I did not wanted to feel as if I am giving up something else I would have collapsed soon, so I tweaked few things to make it look like a normal way of eating. Me and my husband had since taken to eating rice this way only :).

    Have a great day ahead.

    regards

    Shiva

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  3. Yup thats true..feel the same about white rice. All the goodness has already gone with the polishing. I should try brown rice..have only tried the fat grained Kerala brown rice..saw brown Basmati the other day and thought that might cook faster.

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  4. Dear Rads,

    I use Kohinoor brown basmati rice. I am not able to eat it with normal sabji and daal but me and my husband both like the veg fried version of it.

    http://fatchicgoesslim.blogspot.com/2010/06/brown-fried-rice.html

    So once or twice a week we make the veg fried brown rice, which involves lots of veggies and tastes like chines fried rice.

    Brown rice takes longer time to cook than white rice as the grains are harder. The instruction to cook it are written behind the packet.

    For fried rice I use 1 : 2 ratio of rice and water and cover and let it cook till the water vanishes. This leaves the rice grainy and perfect for making fried rice.

    There is something called as wild rice, I still have to give it a try though.

    Have a great day ahead.

    regards

    Shiva

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wild rice isn't really rice..its something else but it looks just like rice. It apparently tastes awesome as a salad kind. And ya recipe for the brown fried rice is what started my new enthusiasm for brown rice :D :D

    ReplyDelete
  6. Dear Shiva, Thanks for the post, yes it does take time to cook this rice but then it does take some effort to lose weight , what say!!
    :)
    take care
    rekha

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dear Rekha,

    Glad you liked it. Once you get used to making it, it becomes very easy. It takes max 15 minutes.

    I liked the way you said 'but then it does take some effort to lose weight', good going my girl.

    Have a great day ahead.

    regards

    Shiva

    ReplyDelete
  8. Interesting Post infact this is the traditional way of cooking rice ... my mom used to prepare this way ... pressure cooking is easier...but after reading ur post n weight loss benefits i think we should go back to slow cooking...U you have a nice blog with nice posts... if u get time do visit my blog

    Satya
    http://www.superyummyrecipes.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dear Satya,

    You are right, the traditional way to cook rice was always like this. It does take a little more time but then its way too healthy.

    Thanks for liking my blog space.

    Have a great day ahead.

    regards

    Shiva

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hallo shiva,
    I cook 100 gms of rice in this way only,but only 1 time,but could find a lot of differance in me.If i feel hungry in between i take chopped tomato or a small carrot.for fibre i take shredded cabbage juice,half glass,it doesnt taste well.
    Good post dear.

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  11. Dear Kavithakk,

    Yeh it does make a lot of difference. My cousin lost 5 kgs since she switched to eating rice this way. She is a rice eater and she made this one change in her diet and the difference was there.

    Thanks for liking the post.

    Have a great day ahead.

    regards

    Shiva

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hey shiva,

    Do I need to evaporate all the water for the end product?
    I love this idea..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Esha,

      If you evaporate all the water, the starch won't drain. The idea is to boil the rice 3 times (at least) or till it is cooked. You need to bring the water to boil and drain the rice. Repeat the process till the rice is cooked.

      Hope this helps.

      regards

      Shiva

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  13. Does this really make a difference? I looked it up online and most of the articles seemed to say it doesn't really make that much difference. Am currently eating brown basmati rice but its tough. Am trying to loose weight. Would like to try this if it really helps.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Niyatee,

      It did help me though portion control is required. Basic logic is, lesser the starch better for you. When you eat this kind of rice you tend to feel lighter. Half cup is the recommended portion for an individual.

      Hope this helps.


      Delete

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