Simple mistake we all make when we start cooking rice

Many of us may have been cooking rice wrong this entire time.

From fried rice to curries, rice is an ingredient that can go a long way.

It also happens to be a relatively simple one to cook up. All you need is a dish and the right water ratio, then you're ready to steam or boil your rice to eat.

READ MORE: The mistake you're making when dressing your salad

But there's one thing you shouldn't be doing – and it's a step many might not realise.

As it turns out, stirring is a no when it comes to cooking rice.

The reason? Stirring while your rice is still cooking can actually cause the grains to break up, leaving the dish clumpy and the shorter grain pieces to overcook.

This can not only impact cooking times, but it can change the texture of the dish.

Instead of stirring, use a utensil to just push the rice off the side of the pot.

Then, after your rice has cooked and you've let it sit to cool down, just give it a 'fluff' using a fork to separate the grains.

Stirring isn't the only common mistake with cooking rice.

READ MORE: Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's daughter makes runway debut

Speaking to 9honey Kitchen, Nagi Maehashi, better known as RecipeTin Eats, said it's important to get your water ratio right.

The cooking guru says to use one cup of rice to 1.5 cups of water for perfect results.

"If I see someone else doing one cup of rice to two cups of water again - it's like mushy rice central," she explained.

Maehashi also says washing your rice to get a 'fluffy' consistency is not necessary.

"The answer is no. You just need to get the water to rice ratio right," she tells 9honey.

"If you wash your rice, you need to actually reduce the amount of water that you cook your rice in because the rice gets waterlogged with the excess water from washing it."

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.