How to cook rice for 20-30 people?

Question

I am making beans and rice as part of the menu for a party. How do I make rice for this many? I usually cook rice on the stove (no rice cooker)--can I multiply amounts and have it turn out okay? Also, thoughts on keeping it warm? Maybe I shouldn't bother--this is a casual party from 5-8 and people will arrive at different times....

I have this ISSUE with rice, as well...I tend to mess it up. I am a really experienced cook, so I don't know why rice is an enemy of mine, but it is. I like to blame my electric stove as well as the fact that I usually buy whatever rice is cheapest in the bulk bins at the natural food store. I do find I have better luck if I buy bagged rice.

Answer

I would buy Uncle Ben's and follow the package directions. Maybe make 2 batches. I have an electric stove too which I hate so you have my sympathy with that issue. You have to re-learn cooking!

Answer

You can make rice as you would pasta, in a big pot with copious amounts of salted water. Bring water to a boil, add rice, lower to an active simmer, and stir occasionally until just about as tender as you like. Then pour through a strainer. Unless you have a very large one, as the strainer fills up, empty the strained rice into a big bowl and repeat until pot is empty. Then put a little water into the pot, over low heat, and keep the bowl in it to keep rice hot until you need it.

Answer

Hi loraxc.Cooking rice was always a problem for us until we bought a rice cooker.Foolproof to say the least.Equal amounts of rinsed quality rice (Jasmine or Basmati for example) and water or broth.Put the lid on,flick the switch & perfect rice every time.We are a family of 3 so we bought a small Panasonic from a local Asian supermarket but larger ones (Crockpot size) are also available.The cooked rice also stays warm for quite some time & clean up is a breeze.Certainly worth the small investment for good rice every time.Check out this link for more info:www.rice-cooker-guide.com/
Hope this helps with your party & in the future.

Answer

Rice cookers are great but a good one big enough to make rice for 30 people will set you back 2-300 bucks, which is a lot for a one-time use. Stick with the oven method and use Uncle Ben's, which is designed for buffet use and to be held at serving temperature for long periods of time and not to stick together. Just follow the package instructions and it will come out fine. Go to the Uncle Ben's Foodservice website for large quantity oven method instructions.

Answer

I think Taylor Rental will lease hotel pans you can use in the oven.

Answer

I have not read any of the replies yet, so I may be repeating something someone else has said, but in regards to messing up rice, I used to all the time too. A chef friend taught me to always buy a better rice; medium or long grain brown rice, jasmine is nice, basmati organic if possible (non gmo)and secondly, to fry the rice first. enough oil in the pan to lightly coat the rice when stirred (I cook with coconut oil because it is the safest high heat oil) lightly brown it and add h20 directly to the hot pan (you'll have to use a little bit more water since some will evaporate when it hits the hot pan).. that's it, cover, lower heat to simmer. It takes all of about 1 extra minute but the rice comes out lovely.

Answer

make your life easy.
trader joe's in their FREEZER section, carrys pre-made frozen rice.
dump the stuff out of the individual cellophane bags into a casserole dish.
nuke the casserole dish (stirring a couple of times during the process) to just heat up the rice (not to cook it).

the rice comes out perfectly EVERY time.

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How to cook rice for 20-30 people?

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