What is the correct procedure for cooking rice at Panda Express?

The correct procedure for cooking rice at Panda Express involves rinsing and then steaming the rice. Rinsing the rice before cooking helps to remove excess starch, which can result in undesirable texture and stickiness. This step ensures that the rice cooks evenly and has a fluffier consistency, which is important for achieving the desired dish quality at Panda Express.

After rinsing, steaming is the preferred cooking method, as it allows the rice to absorb the appropriate amount of water and cook thoroughly without becoming soggy. Steaming is a common technique used in many Asian cuisines, as it helps retain the rice's flavor and nutritional value while producing a light and fluffy texture.

The other methods, while they can be effective in certain contexts, do not align with the practices that ensure the right flavor and texture preferred at Panda Express. For example, frying without rinsing may lead to overly oily or sticky rice, boiling and draining can remove too much flavor and nutrients, and microwaving without covering can lead to uneven cooking and dryness. Thus, rinsing and steaming is the optimal way to prepare rice for the signature dishes at Panda Express.