Rice is the staple diet of every Bengali. Some people say that Bengali men
cannot survive without their daily rice intake. The history of rice can be found
by clicking on this link:
Most people use Basmati Rice. Anita Pal does, anyway. For Anita
Pal, no other rice will do. Cooking perfect rice is extremely difficult,
but
Anita Pal has it down to a fine art. She is known for her speed in turning
out meals within half an hour.
Basmati rice can be obtained from any supermarket
within the UK such as Asda.
If anyone has any tips on where to obtain basmati rice abroad, please
email us the links at links@anitapal.co.uk.
Plain rice can be made in the microwave very easily or by using a rice cooker.
Alternatively, it can be made using a saucepan and water ( the hard way).
We shall start with the easy way first:-
COOKING RICE USING A MICROWAVE
The rice should be placed in a microwaveable bowl. Two tea cups of rice
is usually enough for one person. You can always alter the amount depending
on what you require.
Wash the rice well a number of times using plain water.
Add enough water.
You should end up with the rice at the bottom and the water covering over
it
to a depth of about 2 inches or so. Cover this bowl with a plate or its
own
cover. Place in the microwave for about 1/2 hour on medium heat (depending
on your own settings). Always read your microwave instruction book to
verify the settings.
Cooking rice the way it " used to be done" is fairly simple.
Most people find this
method the hardest due to inexperience.
Use a medium sized saucepan. Measure 2 teacups of rice. Wash the rice repeatedly
with clean water.
Add water in a saucepan nearly to the top. Add rice
and boil for 20 mins. Test a small
amount of the rice on a teaspoon. Use the pulps of your fingers to test
the consistency. If the rice is minimally
hard, remove excess water (using the lid of the saucepan to protect the
rice itself). Leave standing for about five
minutes.
The rice is then ready to serve with any of Anita Pal's delicious
curry recipes.
