Types and Forms of Rice you need to have in your kitchen

Rice is the humble grain that graces the plates of billions. But did you know that there's a multitude of rice varieties and forms, each with its unique flavor, texture, and best culinary companions? In this article, we're about to embark on a rice adventure. And to make it even more exciting, we'll pair each variety with delectable recipe ideas.

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Table of Contents:

• Firstly, Forms of Rice popularly used and recipe ideas
• Secondly, Some popular Rice types and recipes

Forms of Rice popularly used and recipe ideas

1. Rice Grains (Whole Rice): Whole rice grains are the most basic form of rice. They are used in dishes like fried rice, biryani, pulao, lemon rice and as a side dish with various curries and lentils.

2. Rice Flour: Rice flour is finely grounded rice grains. It is used to make a wide range of snacks and dishes in Indian cuisine, including dosa, idli, appam, puttu etc. Rice flour is also used as a thickening agent in some gravies and soups.

3. Ground rice: The difference in Ground Rice and Rice Flour is in the texture. Ground rice is much coarser, whereas rice flour is much finer. Ground rice can be used in recipes that call for rice flour and wheat flour. It is commonly used to make dishes like rice pudding, porridge, idlis, dosas etc.

4. Poha (Flattened Rice): Poha is rice that has been parboiled, flattened, and then dried. It's used to make dishes like poha upma, batata poha and snacks like chivda

5. Broken Rice: Broken rice is rice grains that have fractured during milling. It's used in various ways, including making porridge, rice kheer/phirni (rice pudding) etc

6. Rice Paper: Rice paper is used to make various types of rolls and wraps, such as spring rolls and rice paper rolls, which are not exclusive to Indian cuisine but are enjoyed as part of a broader Asian culinary influence.

Now, lets head over to seeing rice types itself that we use in different preparations.

Some popular Rice types and recipes

Basmati Rice: Basmati rice is a long-grain aromatic rice known for its fragrance and flavor. It's commonly used to make biryanis, pulao, and other fragrant rice dishes.

Brown Rice: is a healthier alternative to white rice due to its higher fiber content. It's used in similar ways to white rice but has a nuttier flavor and a chewier texture.

Matta Rice (Kerala Red Rice): Matta rice is a variety of rice known for its reddish-brown color and nutty flavor. It's commonly used in South Indian cuisine, especially in Kerala, to make dishes like Matta rice porridge and Matta rice dosa.

Gobindobhog Rice: Gobindobhog rice is a fragrant, short-grain rice variety primarily cultivated in West Bengal, India. It's often used to prepare traditional Bengali dishes like rice pudding (payesh) and pulao.

Whether you're a kheer savant or a biryani buff, the world of rice is as diverse as it is delicious – and there's always a new form and dish to explore on your culinary journey.