How to get flavours to infuse into rice

How to get flavours to infuse into rice - Cooked Food on White and Blue Round Plate

When I try cooking some asian rice dishes, Nasi Lemak, or Hainanese Chicken rice, I always add the "active ingredient" straight into the water used for boiling the rice (Coconut milk and sesame oil respectively in these cases) When cooking they smell really good, however when the rice is done and I taste it tastes bland like normal white rice. How can I make the flavours "go into" the rice?



Best Answer

Nasi lemak means fat rice. The fat is from the coconut milk, which is up to 20% fat depending on how you make it. The fat will change the flavour and mouth feel of the rice but it is not particularly going to give a strong flavour .

The nasi lemak needs aromatics in the rice. These would be lemongrass, ginger and pandan leaf. Pandan leaf is particularly important. The lemongrass and pandan are whole and don't disappear in cooking so will continue to impart aroma to the surrounding rice even after it is cooked.

Nasi lemak is mainly about the condiments so the rice is not supposed to be too strong since you have fried fish, sambal, etc. But with the herbs you will get a good aroma in the rice.

You could also try adding shallots lightly fried before cooking (in addition to the aromatics)

Rice is not really boiled but steamed in SE Asian cooking. Just use a rice cooker. The other ingredients are optional, but coconut milk and pandan leaf are the only 100% essentials.

If making Hainan rice then you should start by frying ginger/garlic paste, then add star anise, cinnamon, cardamom (I am not sure all of these are required), then coat the rice in that. The rice should not be cooked in water but in chicken stock from poaching the chicken. Sesame oil is not for cooking, it is a garnish, so always add it at the end of whatever you are cooking. Again you need pandan leaf in the rice cooker, and lemongrass is unlikely to be a bad idea either. You can add sesame oil when serving.




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Quick Answer about "How to get flavours to infuse into rice"

  • Substitute different liquids for the water. ...
  • Zest up your liquid: add lemon or lime juice to the water/liquid or sprinkle in fresh herbs like chopped cilantro or basil.
  • Add dried or fresh herbs to the liquid when cooking.


  • How do you add seasoning to rice?

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  • After 5 minutes without heat, fluff the rice and serve, or refrigerate until ready to eat.


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  • Cook It In Broth. Instead of filling your pot with water, use vegetable or chicken broth for a rich-tasting bowl of rice.
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  • Put An Egg On It.


  • What spices add flavor to rice?

    Garlic powder also delivers a delightful umami note, according to Bon Appetit. If you want something a bit more unique, try cinnamon, cumin, cardamom, or a combination of the three. Together, earthy cumin, floral cardamom, and warm cinnamon can infuse your rice with traditional Indian character.

    What can I add to white rice to give it some flavor?

    Take a look at a few of our favorite ingredients to add in to your meals.
  • Alternative Cooking Liquid. For an effortless yet dramatic difference, infuse your rice with flavored cooking water or use more aromatic liquid like broth or juice. ...
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    More answers regarding how to get flavours to infuse into rice

    Answer 2

    Fat is the powerhouse of the taste. When preparing rice put some fat (stock, oil, butter) first, then add spices/herbs, wait till they start sizzling and add rice.
    Mix well until rice begin to look transparent and then add water.

    When you add ingredient to rice with water you make "ingredient flavoured water" as there is nothing that can stick to the rice itself.

    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: Tom Adabi, FOX, Yan Krukov, Tom Adabi