Calrose rice is a versatile and popular medium-grain rice that is widely used in a variety of dishes. It’s a favorite in many kitchens due to its soft texture and ability to absorb flavors beautifully. In this article, I’ll answer some frequently asked questions when cooking Calrose rice and instruct you how to cook Calrose rice in 3 different ways, and ideas for what to do with the cooked rice.
1. Frequently Asked Questions
What is Calrose Rice?
Calrose rice is a medium-grain variety of rice that originated in California in the 1940s. It is slightly sticky when cooked and has a tender, fluffy texture. Because of its versatility, it’s commonly used in Asian, Mediterranean, and even American dishes. Its ability to absorb flavors makes it ideal for dishes such as rice bowls, pilafs, and sushi.
What is the Water to Rice Ratio for Calrose Rice?
The standard water-to-rice ratio for Calrose rice is 1.5 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice when cooking on the stovetop. However, the ratio may vary slightly depending on your cooking method. For rice cookers or Instant Pots, you might need slightly less water due to reduced evaporation.
Is Calrose Rice Similar to Sushi Rice?
Calrose rice and sushi rice share some similarities, particularly their sticky texture, but they are not the same. Sushi rice is a short-grain rice with a higher starch content, making it stickier than Calrose rice. However, Calrose rice is sometimes used as a substitute for sushi rice because of its similar characteristics.
2. How To Cook Calrose Rice on Stovetop
Ingredients
- 1 cup of Calrose rice
- 1.5 cups of water
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Instructions
Rinse the Rice: Place the rice in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming overly sticky.
Boil the Water: In a medium saucepan, combine the rice, water, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Simmer and Cover: Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and let the rice simmer for 18–20 minutes. Avoid lifting the lid during this time.
Rest and Fluff: After cooking, turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Then, fluff the rice with a fork before serving.
3. How To Cook Calrose Rice in Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 cup of Calrose rice
- 1.25 cups of water
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Instructions
Rinse the Rice: Rinse the Calrose rice thoroughly under cold water to remove excess starch.
Add to the Instant Pot: Place the rinsed rice and water in the Instant Pot. Add salt if desired.
Seal and Cook: Close the lid and set the valve to the sealing position. Select the “Rice” setting or manually set the pressure cooker to cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
Natural Release: Once cooking is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Then, carefully release any remaining pressure.
Fluff and Serve: Open the lid, fluff the rice with a fork, and serve.
4. How To Cook Calrose Rice in Rice Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 cup of Calrose rice
- 1.25 cups of water (check your rice cooker’s specific instructions)
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Instructions
Rinse the Rice: Wash the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
Add to the Rice Cooker: Place the rinsed rice and water into the rice cooker. Add salt if desired.
Start Cooking: Close the lid and start the rice cooker. Most rice cookers will automatically switch to the “Keep Warm” setting once the rice is cooked.
Fluff and Serve: Let the rice rest for a few minutes before fluffing it with a fork and serving.
5. What To Do With Cooked Calrose Rice?
Cooked Calrose rice is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas:
Rice Bowls: Use Calrose rice as a base for grain bowls topped with proteins like chicken, tofu, or fish, along with fresh vegetables and sauces.
Fried Rice: Turn leftover Calrose rice into fried rice by stir-frying it with eggs, vegetables, and soy sauce.
Sushi Rolls: Although not traditional sushi rice, Calrose rice can be used to make simple sushi rolls or rice balls.
Rice Puddings: Sweeten cooked Calrose rice with milk, sugar, and spices to create a creamy rice pudding.
Side Dish: Serve it as a side dish for curries, stir-fries, or grilled meats.
Cooking Calrose rice is simple, and its versatility makes it a staple ingredient in many cuisines. Whether you’re using the stovetop, Instant Pot, or rice cooker, you can achieve perfectly cooked rice to enjoy in countless dishes.
