Cuisine: Red Rice - how to prepare this Bhutanese item

 

Preparing red rice, a Bhutanese dish  is quite simple. Here's a detailed method:

Ingredients:

- 1 cup Bhutanese red rice (or substitute with another variety of red rice)

- Water

- Salt (optional)

Instructions:

1. Rinse the red rice under cold water in a fine mesh sieve or colander to remove any debris or excess starch.

2. In a pot or saucepan, combine the rinsed red rice with water using a 2:1 ratio of water to rice. For example, if you're cooking 1 cup of rice, use 2 cups of water.

3. If desired, add a pinch of salt to the water for seasoning.

4. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.

5. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid.

6. Allow the rice to simmer gently for about 20-30 minutes, or until the grains are tender and have absorbed most of the water. Check the rice occasionally and stir gently to prevent sticking.

7. Once the rice is cooked to your desired tenderness, remove the pot from the heat.

8. Let the rice sit, covered, for a few minutes to steam and finish cooking.

9. Fluff the cooked red rice with a fork before serving to separate the grains.

Your Bhutanese red rice is now ready to be served as a nutritious and flavorful side dish to accompany your favorite main course or as a base for dishes like Ema Datshi. Enjoy!