I decided to go to that big encyclopedia in the sky, Google, to find out the ultimate answer to the question of whether you need to rinse rice. The answer is, it's complicated. And there are lots of opinions. There are lots of cultures with their own traditions. And there are lots of kinds of rice, even if you don't count minute rice.
I read that varieties like jasmine need to be soaked, not just rinsed, and that they will need less water if you soak them. But converted or parboiled has already been steamed before the husk is removed, so the argument goes that converted rice does not need to be soaked or rinsed. Consumer Reports has been putting out articles for years about the dangers of arsenic in our soil, and they recommend rinsing rice. But apparently, some other authorities and opinion makers say that rinsing has little effect on the arsenic but is very good at removing nutrients. The argument goes on and on and on. Long on opinions, short on actual evidence to back up claims. There are lots of people on all sides of the argument who think that having a blog or a You-tube channel makes them an authority. So after a couple of Google searches, I am more confused than ever and still don't know the answer, except that I didn't know that rice was so complicated. I kept reading that in "Asia", people have traditionally soaked their rice. Or they have traditionally rinsed their rice. But Asia is a very big place, lots of different cultures, lots of different varieties of rice for that matter. Rinsing and soaking are also two very different things. So when people on the web start talking about Asia or Asians, it may not be clear what they are talking about, or even if they themselves know what they are talking about. So far, I have not been a rice rinser or soaker. But I am not against trying it with the right kind of rice. Rinsing and soaking were not done in my household when I was growing up. So this decision was not based on any particular knowledge. I would be willing to try it with the right kind of rice or the right recipe. There is a book on BARD just about rice. Rice, the amazing grain: great rice dishes for every day DB35281 Simmons, Marie. Reading time: 8 hours, 58 minutes. Read by Patricia McDermott. National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress. Cooking Simmons's introduction includes a brief mix of history, vocabulary, and facts about rice. The bulk of the book consists of recipe after recipe featuring the increasingly popular grain. More than 150 entrees, salads, soups, and desserts are included. The recipes in the chapter entitled "Little Rich Dishes" are all appropriate for "snacking or grazing." The book reflects Simmons's cooking style. -----Original Message----- From: Cookinginthedark <cookinginthedark-boun...@acbradio.org> On Behalf Of Teresa Mullen via Cookinginthedark Sent: Saturday, October 24, 2020 8:40 AM To: Cooking in the Dark <cookinginthedark@acbradio.org> Cc: Teresa Mullen <teresamulle...@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [CnD] SPANISH RICE CASSEROLE Hello About this recipe, is it ok to use canola oil? And also wash the rice? This recipe sounds really delicious. On Fri, Oct 23, 2020 at 5:05 PM Marilyn Pennington via Cookinginthedark < cookinginthedark@acbradio.org> wrote: > SPANISH RICE CASSEROLE > > > > 1/2 cup chopped onions > 3 cloves garlic, minced > 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil > 1 lb. ground beef > 1 teaspoon taco seasoning > 2/3 cup rice, washed > 2 teaspoons salt > 1/2 teaspoon dried basil > 2/3 cup chopped ripe olives > 1 green pepper, chopped > 1 8 oz can tomato sauce > 1 cup water > > Sauté onion and garlic in oil for 5 minutes. Add ground beef, breaking > up into smaller pieces. > > Cook, stirring frequently for 10 minutes. > > Reduce heat and simmer, covered on low heat for 45 minutes or turn > into a casserole dish, cover and bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 45 > minutes. > Enjoy. > > > > _______________________________________________ > Cookinginthedark mailing list > Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org > http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark > -- sincerely, teresa mullen _______________________________________________ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark _______________________________________________ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
