In order to perfect countless international dishes, a home chef should master how to prepare various rice styles. When it comes to serving up spontaneous brilliance, understanding the different grain varieties is just the beginning! Let me guide you through the ins and outs of one of my preferred grains. Sticky rice is sure to become a fast favorite of yours too – especially once you see my go-to recipes!
How to Make Sticky Rice
Soak rice for 15 minutes prior to cooking it for an additional 10 minutes. This rice requires a ratio of 1:1, meaning 1 cup of rice to every cup of 1 cup of water. It’s as easy as that!
Why Rinse Sushi Rice?
The easiest way to get the ideal taste and texture, rinse grains before cooking. Soaking rice will rinse off any excess starch. Trust me, you want the rice grains clump rather than mushy!
Benefits of Cooking with Sushi Rice
RiceSelect Sushi Rice is high-quality short-grain rice crafted using two varieties of sushi rice, Koshihikari and Calihikari. Its sweet, fragrant flavor and soft, sticky texture make it perfect not only for sushi dishes, but also sweet desserts like this Key Lime Rice Pudding Pie.
How to Use Sushi Rice in Sweet Recipes
Serve some of these tasty sticky rice desserts at your next dinner party and wow your guests.
Fruity Desserts
I’d be amiss if I didn’t start with the recipe that most people think of when they hear sticky rice: Sweet Sticky Rice with Mango and Coconut. This Thai street food is internationally loved as a quick breakfast, an afternoon pick-me-up, and a simple dessert. While it’s traditionally topped with mangos, top this treat with whatever fresh fruit you’re craving.
Kitchen Tip: For maximum flavor, top your treat with seasonal ingredients – from spring produce to fall harvest.
Or, take a classic dessert and level it up! Taking comfort foods and elevating them is an easy way to get creative while still knowing that they’ll be crowd pleasers. For a tasty twist on banana foster, this zesty Sticky Rice with Caramelized Bananas is always a hit.
Baked Desserts
Prepare a dessert using pantry staples: this classic Biko is an irresistible Filipino Sticky Rice Cake that is packed with flavor and never fails to please! Keep coconut on hand so you’ll be able to whip up a sweet treat in no time! Make sure you note that you’ll need both coconut milk and coconut cream, as there is a difference in terms of texture:
Coconut Milk: Coconut milk generally consists of 1 part coconut meat to 2 parts water. It can serve as a lactose-free substitute and is typically used in bases for soups, stews, and Thai curries.
Coconut Cream: Coconut cream has a much thicker consistency as it has 4 parts shredded coconut to 1 part water, making it an ideal ingredient for creamy desserts.
Spiced Desserts
Spices aren’t exclusively found in savory dishes: this Dulce de Leche Rice Pudding is packed with sugar and spice and everything nice! Adding cinnamon to this rice pudding dessert classic infuses it a fragrant finish that complements the sweet aromas of delicious dulce de leche cream.
Bite-Sized Desserts
When planning party menus, I consider everything - from preparation to cleanup! I prefer to simplify cleanup by selecting appetizers and desserts that don’t require plates, bowls or utensils. After cleaning dinner plates, I can hurry back to my guests with a platter or two filled with Japanese-Style Sweet Rice Balls! Starting on New Years, Mochi is served throughout the year – botamochi and ohagi celebrate the spring and autumn equinox respectively. Of course, I don’t need an excuse to serve these bite-sized snacks!
How to Create a Sushi Menu
With plenty of RiceSelect® Sushi Rice on hand, this is the perfect opportunity to create your own sushi menu and host a gathering. Let's face it, the mystique around how to make good sushi puts a lot of people off the attempt, but every good home chef knows there's not that much to it. All that's required is patience, ingredients and practice. In order to make good sushi you'll need:
- RiceSelect® Sushi rice
- Rice Wine Powder or Vinegar
- bamboo mat
- plastic wrap
- nori (seaweed sheets)
- soy sauce
- toasted sesame seeds
- Sriracha chili sauce
The secret to a good sushi menu is creativity and variety. These Italian Sushi Rolls will surprise and delight your guests in equal measure, while Shrimp Finger Sushi is perfect for those who prefer their sushi without Nori. Finally, don't forget the vegetarians! This recipe is for Vegetarian Sushi Rolls is proof that this Japanese culinary tradition is as adaptable as it is delicious, and with that your menu is complete. Why not print it up and provide your guests with an authentic restaurant experience!