Cook Talk

Rice for 165 people using a Nesco Roaster
Shelly
04/24/08 		We are holding a mock summer Olympics for G.S. Camp this year and we are serving sweet and sour Meatballs with rice , etc. I would like to use my Nesco roaster for the rice any suggestions and directions. Help the Girl Scouts.
ellen
04/24/08 		You need at least 2 Nesco roaster to do this much rice, you need at least 14 pounds dry rice. You turn up to 350 to boil the water, ad and boil the rice, turn down to 250 and cover. About 40 minutes at the lower temp.
shelly
04/25/08 		Thanks,

I have a 18 Qt Sized Nesco. Would I need 2 18 Qt nescos? I'm using regular rice not instant or quick rice ....that should be good, yes?

ellen
04/26/08 		Yes you need two. Here is why:

You should not fill the roaster more than 3/4 full, which is 13 to 14 quarts cooked rice, or about 52-56 cups. 2/3 is even better.
2 cups of raw rice is one pound, it makes 4 1/2 to 5 cups cooked rice.
That means the very MOST you can cook in one cooker is 10 pounds, and I can tell you from experience that is tough to get perfect.
You need 13 pounds plus or minus a pound. 6-7 pounds is a great amount for success in one cooker. Voila, you need two cookers.

Also regular rice is much better than minute or instant, but the VERY BEST for cooking and holding large amounts of white rice is converted, the most familiar brand is Uncle Ben's. It costs a bit more. For this use, it is worth it.

Shelly
04/28/08 		Just checking...the rice goes directly in the cookwell...yes not in a separate pan on a rack?

Thanks again for all your time...you are a life saver,this is a wonderful website.

shelly

shelly
04/30/08 		As I'm writing the instructions up for our kitchen staff I calculated about 3.25 gallons water or 13 quarts per 7 pounds of rice in the Nesco Roaster...does that seem right?
ellen
04/30/08 		7 pounds of rice is 14 cups or 3 1/2 quarts. You want 24-28 cups of water, which is 6-7 quarts (long grain takes more). If you buy your rice in a large restaurant size bag, it will give you water measurements for the particular type of rice.
ellen
04/30/08 		Yes, it goes in the cookwell.
ellen
04/30/08 		Shelly, I did not do the times/ temps right for you; you want up to 1 hour at 400 degrees if it is done in the large cookwell, or 40 minutes at 450.

You can also cook ahead, freeze and reheat in the roasters.

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