You don’t need to be a skilled chef to make restaurant-grade rice at dwelling. Although in order for you completely fluffy grains each time, it doesn’t harm to observe the recommendation of knowledgeable.

Final 12 months, we interviewed a dozen cooks concerning the primary kitchen devices that elevate meals from meh to marvelous. Their suggestions have been different, starting from a pricey-but-worth-it blender to a set of cake testers for lower than $10.

However one that actually caught out was a easy rice washing bowl recommended by Jeff Osaka, chef and proprietor of Sushi-Rama and Osaka Ramen in Denver. Osaka pointed us to Inomata’s 2-Quart Plastic Japanese Rice Washing Bowl with Strainer, which he makes use of to arrange rice for his household to spice up its texture and style profile. He instructed Meals & Wine it’s turn out to be his go-to as a result of it has “a strong backside” and a “strainer on the aspect” for ease.

Even higher? It’s on sale for simply $9 at Amazon. 

Inomata 2-Quart Plastic Japanese Rice Washing Bowl with Strainer

Made in Japan with BPA-free, food-grade plastic, the 2-quart Inomata bowl has a strong backside and aspect drain for soaking and rinsing rice totally earlier than cooking. The bowl additionally consists of an easy-to-grip deal with and is protected to put within the dishwasher on the highest rack.

And whereas rinsing rice might sound pointless, the additional effort is value it. Washing most varieties of rice, however particularly white rice, helps to take away extra starch or different undesirable chemical compounds which may trigger grains to clump collectively or style slick. Soaking additionally softens rice, permitting it to cook dinner extra evenly and shortly. You possibly can sort out the job in a daily bowl, however it’s not really helpful, because the water can simply spill out grains, losing meals and cash. 

With this bowl, all you need to do is measure and pour in your rice, cowl with water, vigorously swish your fingers via, after which drain the water. Preserve repeating the method till the water goes from cloudy to clear and is freed from unfastened starch or particles. You might also use the bowl to rinse off fruit, greens, legumes, and different meals.

Over 1,000 Amazon consumers have rated it 5 stars, together with one who known as it a “should for excellent rice,” and added that “The distinction it makes in cooking is noticeable: The rice tastes cleaner, cooks extra evenly, and my rice cooker doesn’t get these foamy bubbles on high anymore.” A second reviewer was glad to not lose any extra rice grains to the kitchen sink: “I used to be sick of attempting to simply pour the water out of a traditional bowl. That is well-designed, and you’ll rely on not dropping any extra rice to your drain!”

Others lauded the bowl’s ease of use. “The design is easy however efficient, with a built-in strainer that lets you drain the rice effortlessly after every wash,” one other shopper acknowledged. “The dimensions is ideal for dealing with even bigger batches, and the standard of the fabric feels sturdy and well-made. These bowls have turn out to be a necessary a part of my rice-cooking routine, and I extremely suggest them to anybody who’s severe about making excellent rice. They save time and make the method much more handy.”

Rice rinsing must be non-negotiable, and this under-$10, chef-approved instrument makes the extra step simpler, improves the style of rice, and cuts down on pointless meals waste. Win, win, win. 

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Gorilla Grip Professional Heavy-Obligation Stainless Metal Guide Can and Bottle Opener

On the time of publishing, the value was $9.