I often use rice when blind baking... and then I throw it out which is obviously a waste. Am I able to keep the rice and either use it again for blind baking or even to cook and eat later?
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6 Answers
I have cooked rice that was used for weighting a pie crust with fine results. I should have cooked some that wasn't baked to see what the difference was, but in any case it turned out fine. Of course it may matter what temp the rice was baked at and for how long, and this could also affect the duration needed to cook the rice itself.
I have also boiled beans that were previously baked, and they turned out fine, too.
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3If you have used the rice several times as a pie weight, it will not cook well. I would recommend either using the same designated bit of rice every time as a pie weight (keep in a separate baggie/jar) or use the rice only once as a weight before cooking it as a meal. Commented Jul 17, 2010 at 13:02
Whether using rice or beans (I've used both) you first want to line the pastry dough with parchment paper or foil and then place the beans or rice on top.
You can re-use either over and over. I have dried beans that I've been using for more than a decade. Just let them cool completely before placing into a coffee can or other such storage container. If you put them in the can while warm they will produce condensation and then get musty and stinky. Make sure they're labeled so that no one tries cooking them. I know Kevin said he's cooked beans that had been previously baked but the more you bake them the drier and harder they're going to become.
I prefer beans over rice due to the small size of rice. If it should fall onto the dough on the bottom of the crust while removing the paper/foil, it is hard to removed and can easily get pushed into the dough in the process (depending on how much it had been blind baked...usually you remove the weights and continue to cook the bottom for browning/crisping.
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1+1: A decade? I'm kind of curious to see what would happen if you tried to boil and eat some.– hobodaveCommented Jul 17, 2010 at 4:43
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I'll be happy to send some and let you try...I'll take your word for it as I have no plans to do so myself! Commented Jul 17, 2010 at 4:56
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I just don't like keeping dedicated pie weights around, so I use the beans/rice after baking just once--but maybe it's because I rarely make pies.– kevinsCommented Sep 11, 2010 at 22:55
You can use it for blind baking again, but I don't know how well it would work out for eating -- you can always try it once, and let us know how it goes.
(I use beans for pie weights, myself, and save them for re-use)
I actually sprung for a few sets of ceramic pie weights, because I got tired of beans occasionally sticking to the crust, and then having to worry about storing slightly-used beans separately from their unused kin.
I'd say there would be no problem re-using it in the short term. I'd watch out in the long term though: rice is really hygroscopic, and once it gets a little water in it, it won't be good for long.
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I always put a layer of foil between the crust and the weights; that should keep anything from sticking.– kevinsCommented Jul 16, 2010 at 14:25
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@kevin selker: Actually just tried this last night, and it worked fine. Thanks. Commented Jul 16, 2010 at 19:40
I've never used rice for blind baking, I always use dried beans, which can be used multiple times.
Even if you choose not to re-use your rice or beans for blind baking or cooking to eat, both make great bases in vases for artificial flower arrangements or in hurricanes and candle holders as a base for your favorite pillars and votives.