What makes sticky rice sticky

There are countless other uses for starch and its glue-like qualities, both in and out of the kitchen. Without starch products derived from foods like wheat, rice and vegetables, the collars on your favorite dress shirts would be sad and limp. Wallpaper and most glue as we know it would cease to work.

Then where would we be? Sign up for the best of Food Republic, delivered to your inbox Tuesday and Thursday. Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Pinterest and Tumblr. News U. Politics Joe Biden Congress Extremism. Special Projects Highline. HuffPost Personal Video Horoscopes. Follow Us. Terms Privacy Policy. All rights reserved. Sticky rice is the staple food in Laos. While many people may associate sticky rice with Thai food, it's specific only to Northern Thailand.

The country where sticky rice is more appropriately called a national staple is the neighboring country of Laos.

Thailand's cuisine varies throughout the country, and Northern Thai food is more similar to Lao food than to Southern noodles and curry dishes. Small and landlocked, Laos has not exported its cuisine in the same way Thailand has, which is why many people often associate sticky rice with the whole of Thailand as opposed to Laos and Northern Thailand. Follow one of the methods we listed above using the stovetop, rice cooker or steamer , and allow the rice to cool. The sweetness comes from an easy coconut sauce.

To make the sauce, start with a can of coconut milk, a cup to a cup and a half of sugar, and a pinch of salt. Pour the ingredients into a sauce pan and bring to a boil over the stove. Pour the sauce over the cooled rice, stir and voila! You have yourself homemade sweet sticky rice. Serve with fresh mango slices or any fruit of your choice! Getting the best rice for sticky rice is a must if you want restaurant-like results. Look for bags labeled "long-grain sticky rice," "sweet rice" or "glutinous rice.

Still no luck? Head to a nearby Asian or international grocer or try online. The residual heat will continue cooking the rice. Whichever method you choose, the main thing to remember is to not skip the long soak time in the beginning. You should also make sure to not add too much water. Now that you have your perfectly cooked sticky rice, there are endless ways to use it. Back to Recipes Cheesecakes Cookies See more. Back to Recipes Family meals One-pot recipes See more.

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