What Is Shirataki Rice?
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Have you ever wondered what kinds of rice there are out there? How much of a difference it makes choosing the right kind of rice?
You might have heard of a rice called Shirataki Rice and be wondering what on Earth it is and whether or not you should include it in your cooking.
Well this article will tell you all you need to know about Shirataki Rice and why it is one of the best ingredients out there.
What Is Shirataki Rice?
Let’s start by answering one of the simplest questions first – what is shirataki rice?
Shirataki rice is made from konjac (a type of root vegetable) instead of wheat or other grains. They are low in calories, high in fibre and contain no gluten.
Konjac, also known as Chinese yam bean or Japanese arrowroot, grows naturally in China and Japan. It has become particularly popular in Japan where Konjac is a Japanese food staple that has been around since ancient times.
In Japan, it is commonly used in soups, salads, stir fries, desserts and even sushi rolls. The texture of konjac resembles that of rubber.
It is also known as devil's tongue because of its appearance.
The root becomes an important part of the Asian diet after being harvested. It’s one of the first roots that farmers cultivate on land they clear for farming.
Farmers then soak konjac in water and remove some of the natural starch. Over time, these starches convert into different types of sugars – including maltose, glucose and fructose.
Shirataki rice is becoming very popular in the U.S. They are now sold at some supermarkets and specialty stores.
The best part about this type of rice is that they can be used in place of regular rice when making curry, stuffed shells and more!
Shirataki rice has become extremely popular over the past few years. There are many different types of shirataki rice available on the market today. Some brands are flavored with garlic, sesame seeds or seaweed.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Shirataki Rice?
Shirataki is often used as a replacement for pasta due to its ability to provide low-calorie, high-fiber nutrition without gluten.
One cup of cooked shirataki contains only 30 calories! It’s also rich in vitamins and minerals such as calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium and vitamin B1.
Because shirataki is derived from plants, it doesn't have any cholesterol or saturated fat. Some studies even suggest that consuming shirataki can help reduce blood sugar levels
Therefore, if you want to find a healthy alternative to one of your favorite staples then it is perhaps best to try your hand at shirataki rice as you will be sure to find it not only a relaxing but also a nutritious alternative to some of your traditional tasty side dishes.
How To Cook Shirataki Rice
Let’s now turn to how exactly you should cook Shirataki Rice. It is best if you know exactly how to cook this delicious ingredient.
To begin with, take your Shirataki Rice and put it into a sieve. Once all the rice is placed into the sieve and rinse for about a minute.
Once you have done that, you can then pour the Shirataki Rice into a pan or pot to cook them.
If you are intending to use the rice in a curry for example, then it is best to put it into the pot to cook as you can easily infuse it with other ingredients from the curry.
If, however, you want to cook your rice with prawns or another ingredient then it is best to cook them in a pan and that way the flavor will be less infused, more distinctive and the rice won’t take as long to cook.
If you are cooking your rice in a pot, then it will of course take longer than if you are cooking it in a pan.
Cooking it in a pan should take about five to fifteen minutes, depending how much rice you have and how long you want to cook them.
Cooking in a pot should only take slightly longer, especially if you have the rice on a slow heat – between twenty and twenty-five minutes.
Now that we’ve explained exactly how to cook this delicious ingredient, let’s move on to focusing on what you should serve it with.
What Should You Serve Shirataki Rice With?
Shirataki Rice is a tasty and variable ingredient, meaning it can be served with almost any other type of cuisine.
However, there are some dishes in which it works particularly well with the main focus of the dish – these are some of the dishes that is works exceptionally well with:
Coconut Shrimp Curry: Although the combination of coconut and shrimp sounds unusual, it is in fact an incredibly delicious meal which uses coconut extract in the curry sauce to bring out the succulent flavor of the shrimp. This in conjunction with the Shirataki Rice makes it a perfect meal for anyone who enjoys a good curry.
African Beef Stew: Known for its intensity and fruity flavor, this sensational dish works perfectly when it is combined with shirataki rice. The rice effortlessly sucks up the gorgeous sauce and gives you a culinary experience you will not forget in a hurry.
Indian Butter Chicken: Chicken and rice have been a staple of cooking for centuries however the buttery taste of this gorgeous Indian delicacy means that you will never want to eat it with anything other than Shirataki Rice which gels so well with it that it is truly out of this world.
Why It Is Important To Know What Shirataki Rice Is
Shirataki Rice is one of the best ingredients you can have when cooking. It is a fantastic ingredient that only gets better the more you eat it.
Therefore, to ensure that you have a wonderful time cooking it is best to have it as a part of your kitchen arsenal, ready to be deployed at a moment’s notice when you get the chance to spice up any meal you are cooking.
Variety truly is the spice of life and by having variety through cooking this gorgeous dish you will be certain to get the kind of meal you deserve after a long, hard day’s work.
So if you ever need any inspiration in the kitchen then don’t forget about this tantalizingly exquisite ingredient as it will be sure to give any dish that you make that extra kick which will make anyone who eats it compelled to ask for some more.