Rice flour is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from savory to sweet.
Whether you’re looking to make noodles, pastries, or even a thickening agent for soups and stews, rice flour has got you covered.
But with so many options, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.
In this article, we’ll explore the many uses of rice flour and provide some delicious recipes to inspire your next meal.
So grab a cup of tea and get ready to discover the wonders of rice flour!
What Do You Use Rice Flour For?
Rice flour is a popular ingredient in many cuisines around the world. It’s made from ground medium- or long-grain rice and can be made with brown or white rice.
One of the most common uses for rice flour is as a thickening agent for soups and stews. It can also be used to make noodles, pastries, and cakes. In fact, rice flour often replaces wheat flour in baked goods, making it a great gluten-free option.
Rice flour is also a key ingredient in many Asian desserts, such as mochi and puto. These sweet treats are made with glutinous rice flour and are often served as snacks or desserts.
But it’s not just sweet dishes that benefit from the use of rice flour. It can also be used to make savory dishes like tempura batters for frying vegetables and chicken.
It’s important to note that rice flour cannot be used as a 1:1 substitution for regular flour. Rice flour contains no gluten and does not absorb liquid as well as wheat flour. This can result in gritty, greasy, or gummy textures if not used correctly.
What Is Rice Flour And How Is It Made?
Rice flour is a type of flour made from milled rice. The rice can be either brown or white, and the resulting flour has a neutral flavor. Rice flour is a popular alternative to wheat flour for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
To make rice flour, the rice is first cleaned and then ground into a fine powder. This can be done using a stone mill or an industrial grinder. The resulting flour can then be used in a variety of dishes, including baked goods, soups, stews, and Asian desserts.
Brown rice flour is considered to be a healthier option than white rice flour as it contains more fiber and minerals. However, both types of rice flour are widely used in cooking and baking.
Rice flour has natural thickening properties and is often used as a thickener in sauces, gravies, and soups. It is also commonly used in Asian cuisines to make noodles, pancakes, and rice cakes. In addition, it can be used as a coating for fried foods or as an alternative to wheat flour in baking.
Cooking With Rice Flour: Tips And Tricks
Cooking with rice flour can be a great way to add variety to your gluten-free diet. Here are some tips and tricks for using rice flour in your cooking:
1. Use rice flour as a thickener: Rice flour can be used as a thickener for soups, stews, and sauces. It’s a great alternative to wheat flour and cornstarch, especially if you’re looking for a gluten-free option.
2. Combine rice flour with other flours: Rice flour can be mixed with other gluten-free flours, such as almond flour or tapioca flour, to create a blend that’s more similar in texture and taste to wheat flour.
3. Use rice flour in baking: Rice flour is a popular ingredient in gluten-free baking. It can be used in cakes, cookies, muffins, and breads. Keep in mind that rice flour doesn’t have the same elasticity as wheat flour, so you may need to add xanthan gum or another binder to help your baked goods hold together.
4. Experiment with different types of rice flour: There are many different types of rice flour available, including white rice flour, brown rice flour, and glutinous rice flour (also known as sweet rice flour). Each type has its own unique properties and can be used for different purposes.
5. Don’t overmix: When using rice flour in baking, it’s important not to overmix your batter or dough. Overmixing can cause the rice flour to become gummy and affect the texture of your finished product.
6. Use rice flour as a coating: Rice flour can be used as a coating for fried foods, such as chicken or vegetables. It creates a crispy texture that’s similar to wheat-based coatings.
Savory Dishes: Using Rice Flour In Main Courses
Rice flour can add a unique texture and flavor to savory dishes, making it a great option for main courses. Here are some examples of how to use rice flour in your next meal:
1. Fried Chicken: Rice flour is a popular coating for fried chicken in many Asian countries. It creates a crispy and light texture that pairs well with the juicy meat. Simply coat the chicken in rice flour, dip it in an egg wash, and then coat it in seasoned rice flour before frying.
2. Dumplings: Rice flour can be used to make dumpling wrappers that are gluten-free and delicious. Mix rice flour with hot water to create a dough, then roll it out and fill it with your favorite savory ingredients.
3. Crepes: Vietnamese Banh Xeo is a savory crepe made with rice flour and coconut milk. It’s filled with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and herbs, and served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce.
4. Indian Flatbread: Roti is a traditional Indian flatbread that’s made with rice flour, wheat flour, or a combination of both. It’s often served with curry or other spicy dishes.
5. Tempura Vegetables: Rice flour is a key ingredient in tempura batter, which is used to fry vegetables and seafood in Japanese cuisine. The batter creates a light and crispy coating that complements the flavors of the vegetables.
Sweet Treats: Baking With Rice Flour
If you’re looking for a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour, rice flour is a great option for baking sweet treats. Rice flour can be used in a variety of desserts, from simple cookies to more complex cakes and pastries.
One of the benefits of using rice flour in baking is that it produces a light and delicate texture. It’s also a versatile ingredient that can be used in a range of recipes, from quick and easy desserts to more elaborate creations.
When baking with rice flour, it’s important to keep in mind that it doesn’t have the same binding properties as wheat flour. As a result, it’s often used in combination with other gluten-free flours or binding agents like xanthan gum.
Some popular sweet treats that can be made with rice flour include Snickerdoodles cookies, which have a perfect chewy texture when made with rice flour. Rice flour can also be used to make mochi, a sweet Japanese treat made from glutinous rice flour.
For those with dietary restrictions, there are plenty of gluten-free and vegan options available. Many of the recipes using rice flour can be adapted to fit different dietary needs, including egg-free options.
Gluten-Free Options: Rice Flour As A Substitute
For those who are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease, rice flour is a great alternative to wheat flour. It is a delicate, neutral-tasting gluten-free flour that can be used in gluten-free baking. Rice flour can also be used as a crisp coating for pan-fried dishes or in pancakes. However, if you don’t have rice flour on hand, there are other gluten-free options that can be used as a substitute.
Cornstarch is an excellent substitute for rice flour. It is also gluten-free and works well for deep frying and thickening sauces. Unlike rice flour, cornstarch needs to be made into a slurry first before adding it to soups or sauces. To make a slurry, mix cornstarch with water or another liquid until it has the consistency of heavy cream. Then, slowly pour the slurry into your sauce or soup and stir to thicken.
Potato starch is another great substitute for rice flour when it comes to frying. Like rice flour, potato starch is also gluten-free and can be used in equal amounts for frying.
If you’re looking for a substitute that can be used in equal amounts as rice flour across a variety of applications, consider brown rice flour, sorghum flour, gluten-free baking flour mix, gram flour, and all-purpose flour. However, keep in mind that each alternative flour will create a slightly different texture and flavor than rice flour would.
Asian Cuisine: Traditional Uses Of Rice Flour In Cooking
In Asian cuisine, rice flour is a staple ingredient that has been used for centuries. It is commonly used in making sweet and savory cakes, pastries, and noodles. Rice flour is also a popular thickener for sauces and gravies.
Glutinous rice flour, a type of rice flour that becomes sticky when heated, is commonly used in dumplings and many Asian desserts. This unique texture is what makes it a favorite ingredient in many traditional Asian dishes.
In India, rice flour is used to make idli and neer dosa, two popular breakfast dishes. In Japan, mochi is made from finely milled glutinous rice flour. This sweet and chewy treat is a favorite during the New Year’s celebration.
Rice flour is also commonly used in Vietnamese cuisine. Banh cuon, a type of steamed rice roll filled with pork and mushrooms, is made with rice flour. Rice noodles, another popular Vietnamese dish, are also made with rice flour.
In Thailand, rice flour is used to make kanom krok, small coconut milk pancakes that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is also a key ingredient in making mango sticky rice, a popular dessert made with glutinous rice flour.
