If you love rice, then you’ve probably had your fair share of dishes made with long-grain rice. But have you ever tried broken rice? Unlike long-grain rice, which is harvested from the head of the plant, broken rice is a type of rice that’s harvested from the stalks. As a result, it has a shorter grain and a mushier texture and when cooked, broken rice has a slightly nutty flavor and a chewy texture.
Although it may not look as pretty as whole grains of rice, it more than makes up for it in its flavor and texture. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile and can be used in all sorts of dishes. In this blog post, we’ll explore what broken rice is, where it comes from, and how to cook it. So let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Where Does Broken Rice Come From?
Broken rice has been around for centuries and was actually discovered by accident. During the 19th century, manual milling was the only way to process rice. But because human hands are not as efficient as machines, a certain amount of damage was inevitable. As a result, many farmers would end up with a mixture of whole grains and broken pieces of rice.
At first, these farmers would try to sell the broken pieces as whole grains at a discounted price; however, buyers were not interested. So instead, the farmers started selling the broken pieces as animal feed because there was still a demand for them. It wasn’t until World War II ended and milling machines became more readily available that farmers began to realize the potential of broken rice. By then, people had become more accustomed to eating foods like pasta and couscous made from broken wheat grains, so they were more open to trying dishes made from broken rice.
How to Cook Broken Rice
Now that we know what broken rice is and where it comes from, let’s talk about how to cook it! Because broken rice has already been milled or damaged in some way, it doesn’t need to be cooked for as long as whole grains do; in fact, it only needs to be cooked for about 20 minutes.
Despite its name, broken rice is actually quite versatile. In Vietnam, for example, it’s often used in savory dishes like chicken Fried Rice or Shrimp Fried Rice. In India, on the other hand, it’s more commonly used in sweets and desserts. No matter how you choose to cook it, though, broken rice is a delicious and healthy option that’s sure to please any rice lover.
If you’re new to cooking broken rice, don’t worry – it’s actually quite simple!
You can cook it in a variety of ways, depending on your preferences. For example, you can cook it in a saucepan on the stovetop, or in a rice cooker. If you’re short on time, you can even microwave it.
Ingredients:
-1 cup broken rice
-2 cups water
-1 tablespoon olive oil
-1 teaspoon salt
-1/2 teaspoon black pepper
-1/4 teaspoon cumin powder
-1 clove garlic, minced
-1 green chili pepper, minced
-(optional) 1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves for garnish
- In a saucepan, combine the water, olive oil, salt, black pepper, cumin powder, garlic, and chili pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Add the broken rice and stir to combine. Lower the heat to medium and cover the pan with a lid. Cook for 15 minutes, or until the water has been absorbed and the rice is cooked through.
- Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork and serving. Garnish with cilantro leaves if desired. Enjoy!
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for a new type of rice to try or simply want to change up your usual cooking routine, give broken rice a shot! With its shorter grain and mushy texture, it’s perfect for savory dishes like chicken Fried Rice or shrimp Fried Rice. And because it’s so easy to cook, you’ll have no trouble whipping up a tasty dish in no time at all!
