Rice water and its starch has been a part of the culinary culture for ages so much so that right from relishing it as a broth to using it for day-to-day cooking purposes, this potent blend is known for its umpteen nutrients that can be used in so many creative ways.
In fact, reusing this rice starch in daily cooking may help in minimizing culinary wastage and can naturally add a punch of nutrition and texture to the delicacies.
Read on to find out some easy yet creative ways to reuse rice starch:
1. Thickening soups and sauces
Do you also hate the runny and flowy texture of soups, stews and sauces? Then you can simply amp up the taste and texture of your delicacies by adding some warm rice starch and let it simmer. Rice starch works like a natural thickening agent and adds a smooth and creamy consistency without altering the taste and flavor of the dish.
2. Binding agent for frying
Another effective way of reusing rice starch in daily cooking is by using it as an alternative to binding ingredients. Just replace regular water with rice starch in the batters and coatings.
The fine texture of rice starch creates a crispy exterior while helping to bind the ingredients together. You can use it in recipes for fried chicken, fish, vegetables, or even homemade onion rings.
3. Creamy rice dishes
If you are trying to replace dairy in your delicacies, then rice starch can be a great alternative to make creamy delicacies especially, rice-based dishes such as risotto or rice pudding to enhance their creaminess. Mix a small amount of rice starch with water or broth before adding it to the rice during cooking. This will give a velvety texture and make the dish more indulgent.
4. Gluten-free baking
Use rice starch as a gluten-free alternative in baking recipes. Replace wheat flour with a combination of rice starch and other gluten-free flours to achieve the desired texture in cakes, cookies, and bread. Rice starch helps provide structure and moisture to baked goods without compromising on taste.
5. Egg replacement
Yes, this may seem like a bluff, but rice water can be actually used as an egg substitute in vegan recipes. Mix rice starch with water to create a slurry and use it to replace eggs in recipes for pancakes, muffins, or cookies. It acts as a binding agent and helps maintain the texture of the final product.