Foolproof Thai Sticky Rice Recipes

THAI STICKY RICE (KHAO NIAO) RECIPE

Steps:

• Remove from heat, and flip bundle over once more so that the folded over parts of cheesecloth are facing you. Transfer rice to a heatproof bowl and cover it with a plate (you can discard the cheesecloth at this point, or if you used a bamboo steamer and wish to use the steamer basket as a serving vessel, keep the rice in its cheesecloth parcel and unwrap it right before serving). Let rice cool slightly for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Serve immediately.

HOW TO MAKE THAI STICKY RICE (วิธีทำ ข้าวเหนียว)

Steps:

• The night before you want to cook sticky rice, take your raw sticky rice, place it into a bowl or plastic tub, submerge in water, and allow to soak room temperature overnight. Alternatively, you can soak for at least 4 - 5 hours, but overnight is best.
• Take the sticky rice out of the water (and the grains should be softer and a little swollen), and place into a bamboo steamer, or any type of steamer. Cover the steamer with either a lid, or you can do what I did and cover the basket with a cloth, then a metal lid - just to keep all the steam within the rice.
• Add water to a pot with the steamer over the pot (just make sure the water doesn't touch the sticky rice), and once the water comes to a boil, steam for 15 - 20 minutes (usually 15 minutes for me is perfect) on a medium heat.
• After 15 minutes take off the lid carefully, because it will be very hot, and just grab a taste test of the sticky rice to make sure it's soft and fluffy. If it's still a little crunchy, steam for a few more minutes, but if it's good to go, turn off the heat and either eat immediately, or transfer to some sort of airtight container or basket to hold until you're ready to eat.
• Enjoy Thai sticky rice while it's hot and fresh.

HOW TO MAKE STICKY RICE (FOOLPROOF METHOD!)

Steps:

• Add the sticky rice to a mixing bowl or other deep container. Fill it with water so that the water level is at least 3 inches above the rice, as the rice will expand when soaking.
• Soak for 6 to 24 hours. Soak it longer if you want your sticky rice to have a softer texture.
• Drain the water (no need to shake off the excess water), and evenly arrange the soaked sticky rice on a heat-proof, rimmed plate or bamboo steamer lined with natural steamer liners or parchment paper.
• Cover and steam for 30-45 minutes. When making larger batch of rice, steam in two batches or steam longer. You can check the rice and increase the steaming time if need be.
• Keep the sticky rice in the steamer or covered to prevent drying out until you serve it or use it in a recipe.

FOOLPROOF THAI STICKY RICE

Steps:

• Place rice into a mesh colander.
• Rinse the rice grains in two or three changes of cold water in a bowl until the water runs clear from the colander.
• Place the rice into a bowl and fill with cool water to 2 to 3 inches above the rice.
• Cover the bowl and allow the rice to soak for 6 to 8 hours.
• Drain the rice and transfer to cheesecloth-lined steamer or pasta pot basket.
• Set steamer on wok or pasta pot with boiling water; do not let rice touch boiling water.
• Cover pot and steam rice, checking water level often, adding more boiling water as need; cook for 20 minutes.
• Remove from heat and let stand, covered for 5 minutes before serving.

BASIC STICKY RICE

Steps:

• Soak the rice in a container that holds at least twice the volume of rice: Cover the rice with 2 to 3 inches of room-temperature water and soak for 6 to 24 hours. If you need to shorten the soaking time, soak the rice in warm (about 100 degree) water for 2 hours. The longer soak gives more flavor and a more even, tender texture, but the rice is perfectly edible with the shorter soak in warm water.
• Drain the rice and place in a steamer basket. Set the steamer basket over several inches of boiling water in a large pot or a wok. The rice must not be in or touching the boiling water. Cover and steam for 25 minutes, or until the rice is shiny and tender. Turn the rice over after about 20 minutes, so the top layer is on the bottom. Be careful that your pot doesn't run dry during steaming; add more water if necessary, making sure to keep it from touching the rice.
• Turn the cooked rice out onto a clean work surface. Use a long-handled wooden spoon to flatten it out a little, then turn it over on itself, first from one side, then from the other, a little like folding over dough as you knead. This helps get rid of any clumps; after several foldings, the rice will be an even round lump. Place it in a covered basket or in a serving bowl covered by a damp cloth or a lid. Serve warm or at room temperature, directly from the basket or bowl. The rice will dry out if exposed to the air for long as it cools, so keep covered until serving.
• Soak the rice in a container that holds at least twice the volume of rice: Cover the rice with 2 to 3 inches of room-temperature water and soak for 6 to 24 hours. If you need to shorten the soaking time, soak the rice in warm (about 100 degree) water for 2 hours. The longer soak gives more flavor and a more even, tender texture, but the rice is perfectly edible with the shorter soak in warm water.
• Drain the rice and place in a steamer basket. Set the steamer basket over several inches of boiling water in a large pot or a wok. The rice must not be in or touching the boiling water. Cover and steam for 25 minutes, or until the rice is shiny and tender. Turn the rice over after about 20 minutes, so the top layer is on the bottom. Be careful that your pot doesn't run dry during steaming; add more water if necessary, making sure to keep it from touching the rice.
• Turn the cooked rice out onto a clean work surface. Use a long-handled wooden spoon to flatten it out a little, then turn it over on itself, first from one side, then from the other, a little like folding over dough as you knead. This helps get rid of any clumps; after several foldings, the rice will be an even round lump. Place it in a covered basket or in a serving bowl covered by a damp cloth or a lid. Serve warm or at room temperature, directly from the basket or bowl. The rice will dry out if exposed to the air for long as it cools, so keep covered until serving.