Rice finger rule for figuring water quantity
I've seen some videos where people recommend the "finger rule" (as opposed to measuring) when figuring out how much water to put in a pot to boil rice. However, the explanations are pretty vague. Can someone explain this?
Best Answer
This rule is a good approximation for "usual" quantities of rice, and I've used it successfully a lot of times in the past few months after hearing about it.
As Jeroen explained, put your rice in the container you want to cook it in (pan or rice cooker with maybe 2-4 litres of total volume). I'd recommend washing your rice at least once, discarding the starchy water. Then, evenly spread the rice and cover it up with water until it hits a level where your fingertip touches the rice and the water level goes to your first knuckle. Note: afaik this method assumes you steam your rice, limiting the loss of water.
Now, some caveats: this doesn't work too well with very small or very large quantities of rice because the relation between "rice level" and water level skews more towards rice the more rice you cook; or if your hands are abnormally small or large ;) It's good enough for most uses in everyday cooking though.
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Quick Answer about "Rice finger rule for figuring water quantity"
Put your rice in a pan. Spread out the rice to it is evenly spread out in the pan. Put the tip of your index finger on top of the rice and then add water until the water level is at the first knuckle of your finger.How much water do you use for rice fingering?
The water level should be at your first knuckle when the tip of your finger touches the rice. In the knuckle method, you add one first-knuckle's worth of water regardless of the amount of rice being cooked.What is the fingertip rule for rice?
Place your fingertip on top of the rice and add water until it reaches your first knuckle. Cover the pot with a lid and bring the water to a boil. Turn the heat to low and cook for 18\u201320 minutes, until all the water is absorbed. (It's OK to check.)What is the correct proportion of rice to water?
1. To cook long-grained white rice on the stove, use a 2 to 1 water to rice ratio. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. You can add an optional pinch of salt if you wish.How do you calculate rice portions?
The Amount of Rice Needed Per Person So, one cup of uncooked rice becomes two cups of cooked rice after it is boiled. Most cooks and nutritionists agree that one person needs one cup of cooked rice per serving, especially if the rice is the sole source of carbohydrates in the meal.How to Measure Rice Proportions with Your Finger - CHOW Tip
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Answer 2
Put your rice in a pan. Spread out the rice to it is evenly spread out in the pan. Put the tip of your index finger on top of the rice and then add water until the water level is at the first knuckle of your finger.
Personally I don't use that technique, if you don't pay enough attention the rice might burn, but this is the idea. I usually just throw in too much water and get rid of the left-over water afterwards.
Answer 3
This process works because of the space between the grains, the specific gravity of rice etc... In general, it only really works for regular white rice. If you look at the ratios of water to rice by volume, it starts with brown rice at 2.5 water to 1 rice. White rice at 2 to 1, and highly polished rice like sushi and Vietnamese broken rice at 1.75 to one.
Round rice such as Calrose needs a little less water than Basmati or Jasmin etc.
So, your mileage will vary depending on the rice you want to cook, and the size of your fingers.
I have been eating rice mixed with barley, quinoa and wheat to balance my protein and carb intake, and the finger rule has gone out the door.
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