But before we get into the fixing part, have you ever wondered why rice gets hard in the first place? It's all about the starches inside the rice grains, which absorb moisture and then dry out, making the rice hard and dry. It's kind of like when you leave a piece of bread out for too long, and it becomes stale and, well, not so tasty.
So, how do you reverse this process? One way is to add moisture back into the rice, which can be as simple as adding a little water or broth to the pot. You can also try adding some fat, like butter or oil, to help loosen up the starches and make the rice soft and fluffy again.
Another cool way to soften hard rice is to use the steaming method. You can place the rice in a steamer basket over boiling water, and let the steam work its magic. It's kind of like giving your rice a spa day, where it gets to relax and rehydrate in a warm, cozy environment.
How to Soften Leftover Rice Without a Microwave - Food Prep Guide