Adding a single spoonful of butter to cooked microwave rice can banish the unpleasant plasticky taste and deliver a rich, decadent flavour, according to food experts at Food Republic.
Microwave rice is a reliable go-to for a fuss-free way to bulk up an evening meal. A single packet serves two people and is ready in just a couple of minutes, unlike dry rice, which can take considerably longer to cook properly. However, microwave rice can occasionally have an unpleasant plasticky taste.
The Butter Solution
To get around this, the experts recommend stirring a generous spoonful of butter into the rice once it is cooked. They said: "When you stir a dollop of butter into a bowl of rice, it adds a layer of decadent flavor that won't go unnoticed."
"It may be invisible to the naked eye, but your taste buds will know the difference. Butter, once melted, also ensures your instant rice will be clump-free and deliciously moist."
Just a single spoonful should do the job, as a small amount of butter goes a long way when it comes to rice. Salted butter works best, though any variety available in the fridge will suffice.
Citrus as an Alternative
Butter is not the only ingredient that can improve microwave rice. Another common fridge staple is citrus fruit, and a squeeze of the juice can instantly give the rice a welcome burst of flavour.
The trick with this particular hack is to hold off until just before serving before adding the citrus juice, as the fruit tastes at its finest when freshly squeezed. Leaving it until the very last moment is the surest way to make certain the flavour carries through the entire dish. Much like butter, a little goes a long way, so starting with a small squeeze and adding more to taste is recommended.
