Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Freeze Cooked Rice







Rice, particularly brown rice, is a heart-healthy addition to any meal. However, because it takes nearly an hour to cook rice, it can be a tough menu item to include on a regular basis. Freezing individual portions of cooked rice is a good way to ensure this side dish is always on hand and microwave-ready. This rice comes out fluffy, fresh and delicious.


Instructions


1. Measure as much rice as desired into a pot and cook according to the instructions on the package. Consult the packaging to determine how much water to add. Remove the rice from the heat about 5 minutes before it is finished cooking. The rice will finish cooking when it is reheated in the microwave.


2. Let the rice cool uncovered for 30 minutes, or until it is nearly room temperature.








3. Measure the rice into 1-cup batches. Pour each cup of rice into a separate zip-top bag.


4. Lay the bags down flat on a table or countertop. Press gently on the bags to smooth and flatten the rice and release as much air as possible. Seal the bags.


5. Place the bags of rice on their sides in the freezer.


6. Reheat the frozen rice by opening the zip-top bag about a quarter of an inch to let steam escape. Put the bag in the microwave on full power for 3 minutes. The bag will puff up. Let the bag sit for 1 minute, then pour the rice into a dish and serve.

Tags: rice into