How To Make Sticky Rice

Learn how to make sticky rice to accompany Thai curries, stir-fries, or other Asian dishes.  Sticky rice has a different texture than fluffy rice and is easier to eat with chop sticks. Find packages of uncooked sticky rice at Asian food stores or in ethnic sections of some supermarkets.

To make sticky rice, you need:

• 2 cups uncooked sweet rice or glutinous rice    
• 3 1/2 cups water
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

Steps to make sticky rice:

1. Measure two cups of uncooked sticky rice and place in a large sauce pan.
   
2. Add 3 1/2 cups of water to the rice in the saucepan and stir. Let the rice soak for at least twenty minutes, to half an hour. This step is important to soften the tough outer layer of the rice.
3. Turn the heat up to high after rice has soaked. Add 3/4 teaspoon salt.
4. Allow the water to come to a gentle boil. Turn down the heat to medium-low, to where the water jut barely simmers.
5. Place the saucepan lid on the pan, but not tightly. Allow some steam to escape from the pan. Simmer the sticky rice for ten minutes.
6. Check the rice with a fork by pulling aside some of the rice. If all of the water has been absorbed into the rice, turn off the heat. If some water remains, allow the rice to cook for another five to ten minutes.
7. Turn off the heat. Place the lid tightly on the pan and allow the rice to sit, undisturbed, for eight to ten minutes. This steaming step finishes the cooking process and now the sticky rice is ready to eat.