Why fry rice before boiling?

Question

Ordinarily when I make fried rice, the general process is:

Boil the rice until done.
Fry the cooked rice in oil.

However, I recently made a different rice recipe which flipped the order:

Lightly fry the dry rice in a pan.
Then boil the rice until done.

This struck me as being really strange.  Why would I lightly fry the rice before cooking it? I usually associate frying rice with textural change, but after boiling it the texture wasn't notably different than if I hadn't fried it at all.

In both cases I was using a medium-grain white rice.

Joshua Engel · Accepted Answer

This is sometimes called "pilaf style", though technically actual pilafs do not require the sauteeing step. It is, however, very common in pilaf and related dishes.

The main function of this is to change the composition of the starch on the surface of the rice. This reduces the starches that cross-link and make rice sticky. It helps your rice to cook up into separate grains.

While you're at it, it also adds some flavor to the rice, by caramelizing some of the starches. Plus, it adds oil, which can carry flavors of its own and help distribute fat-soluble flavors in the other ingredients.

The effect is very different from "fried rice", where the starches have already been cooked and gelatinized before frying. The goals are somewhat the same, adding browned flavors and distributing fat-soluble ingredients, but the chemical changes to the surface of the rice itself will be different.

haakon.io · Answer

When the rice is dry its easier to get it toasted before you boil it because it has less moisture content. Packaged rice, like Rice-a-Roni have you do this method to get that toasted flavor of the rice.

Answered by haakon.io on January 22, 2021

Jon Church · Answer

In addition to the other answers, toasting the rice first can reduce the cooking time considerably. When you toast rice first, not only are you heating your entire pan but the rice thoroughly. You are able to add your liquid and immediately begin simmering and steaming the rice.

Answered by Jon Church on January 22, 2021

Peter Machado · Answer

My solution for ceramic flat top stove - the burner takes time to cool down after being turned off:

Frying before boiling adds flavour, but it seems to seal in the rice so it doesn't expand as much, and so releases less starch when boiling.  Usually I fry first, then add the water (usually 1 part rice two parts water unless otherwise instructed) and allow it to boil - the frying before means when the rice boils it won't rise and overflow the pot.  After it has boiled a bit, I turn it OFF, wait for it to simmer down, then cover with an absorbent cloth and put the tight fitting lid over the cloth - the cloth absorbs the moisture and creates a very tight lid so no steam can escape.
Then I just leave it while I do other things (making salad or something or writing this note) - and then go back to it and it's ready.

Caution - don't let the cloth trail over the stove it will catch fire, if necessary bind it over the lid - the four corners - with an elastic, or failing that just TAKE IT OFF THE BURNER TO A COOL PART OF THE STOVE - because it will continue to cook in it's own heat, with the steam trapped inside - just give it a little bit more time since you've moved it off the burner.

OK, I think it's ready, I'll go eat now.  Bon appetite.

Why fry rice before boiling?

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