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If you’ve ever wondered how hotels and restaurants make their rice so flavorful, fluffy, and delicious, there’s a simple secret: It’s all in the cooking method and ingredients! Simply adding water to rice is a common mistake, but with a few extra touches, you can transform plain rice into a restaurant-quality dish.
Here’s the secret that hotels use to make their rice irresistible!
1. Use Broth Instead of Water
One of the key secrets to flavorful rice is replacing plain water with broth. Whether it’s vegetable, chicken, or beef broth, it infuses the rice with a rich, savory taste that takes it to the next level.
- How to do it: Replace the water in your recipe with an equal amount of broth. For example, if your recipe calls for 2 cups of water, use 2 cups of broth instead.
2. Add a Touch of Fat
Hotels often cook rice with a bit of butter or olive oil to give it a rich, silky texture and prevent the grains from sticking together. The fat also enhances the flavor of the rice.
- How to do it: Add 1-2 tablespoons of butter, olive oil, or even coconut oil to the pot before adding the rice and broth. Stir it into the rice as it cooks.
3. Sauté the Rice First
Before adding any liquid, many chefs sauté the rice in oil or butter to toast it lightly. This adds a nutty, deep flavor and makes the rice even fluffier when cooked.
- How to do it: Heat a tablespoon of oil or butter in the pot, then add the rice and sauté for 2-3 minutes until the grains become slightly golden and fragrant. Then, proceed with adding the broth.
4. Add Aromatics
Hotels often add aromatics like garlic, onions, or herbs to the rice to boost the flavor. These ingredients add complexity and depth, making the rice more than just a side dish.
- How to do it: Add finely chopped onions or garlic to the rice while it’s sautéing. You can also throw in herbs like bay leaves, thyme, or parsley while the rice is simmering to infuse the grains with extra flavor.
5. Don’t Forget Salt
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