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An Introduction to Cooking with Rice

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An Introduction to Cooking with Rice

One of the world’s most important staple foods, and of paramount importance across Asia, rice is a grain of infinite variety and culinary potential. Far more than a side dish, from jollof to biryani, risotto to rice pudding, there are so many varieties and cooking methods – the world of rice deserves exploration. So, in the second of our series – following on from An Introduction to Pastry – Cat Black gives us an overview of this special grain: An Introduction to Cooking with Rice.
Our feature includes a collection of Core Rice Recipes – this is a curation of basics, from How to Cook Sushi Rice, to the most fundamental Baked Rice Pudding. These recipes will expand your knowledge of some of the main types and uses of rice.
Of course, there is huge variation regionally on even these fundamental recipes, and then endless opportunity to play with different ingredient combinations on top of that. Cat has compiled a series of collections around some of our most popular rice dishes.
Delve into a dozen Middle Eastern Rice Dishes, or what makes the perfect Paella. With over a hundred recipes across eight collections, and explanations that will ensure you know your Arborio from your Carnaroli, your biryani from your pulao, you will find all you need to get started.
And if you find yourself with cravings for even more rice, explore our Rice Bookshelf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Adjusting the yield of our recipes is simple and designed to fit your table, whether you are cooking for one or hosting a dinner party. Most recipes in our cookbooks are optimized for four to six servings, but they can easily be scaled by multiplying or dividing the ingredient measurements accordingly. We recommend keeping a close eye on cook times when scaling down, as smaller portions may heat through more quickly, and always seasoning gradually to ensure the flavors remain perfectly balanced as the volume changes.

Our cookbooks are written with the home cook in mind, so you won’t need a kitchen full of industrial equipment to achieve professional results. We focus on recipes that utilize standard essentials like a sharp chef’s knife, a reliable skillet, a medium saucepan, and basic measuring tools. If a specific dish requires something more specialized, such as a food processor or a Dutch oven, we clearly note it at the start of the recipe and often provide suggestions for common household alternatives you can use instead.

Every book we publish is crafted to be approachable and empowering for cooks at any skill level, including those just starting their culinary journey. We strip away the intimidating jargon and replace it with clear, chronological instructions and helpful “Chef’s Notes” that explain the techniques behind the steps. Our goal is to help you build kitchen confidence with every page turn, ensuring that even our most impressive-looking dishes are achievable for someone picking up a spatula for the first time.

Think of this cookbook as a flexible roadmap for your kitchen adventures rather than a rigid set of rules. We encourage you to browse by your current mood or time constraints using our organized chapters, and don’t be afraid to make the book your own by jotting down notes or substitutions in the margins. Whether you are following a recipe step-by-step for a special occasion or just looking for a quick weeknight spark of inspiration, these books are designed to be durable, practical companions that grow more seasoned and loved with every meal you prepare.

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