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How to cook rice? Plain Basmati Rice Recipe

The traditional rice cooking method is also called 'Absorption Method'. Just sufficient water is added that is completely absorbed by the rice

Cooking rice involves five steps. These steps depend on the type of rice being cooked. Here, I  will cook one cup of raw Basmati Rice as an example. You can cook any medium to long grain rice using this method. I use a heavy bottom pan with a well fitting lid and cook on top of the stove.

I don't use pressure cooker, the texture is dry.

I don't use On/Off rice cooker, the rice turn out dry. You can use the Programmable Rice cooker. They don't save time, they just integrate Step 2 through 4 automatically. The only thing you do is add washed rice, salt, oil and water at the outset and select the Rice type.

Step 1: Washing Rice

Almost all the rice processed in United States is fortified with Vitamins, and minerals (Including iron). When you open the package, you see this fortification in the form of a powdery substance. If you wash the rice, you will be washing away the added nutrients.
The rice imported from India is not fortified. This imported rice should be washed before using. The powdery substance on this rice is leftover starch from milling process. We need to remove this powdery substance to prevent rice from sticking together. Normally, I wash and rinse about three times to make sure that the dirt and powdery starch have been washed off.

Wash and Rinse One cup of Basmati Rice

Step 2: Presoaking Rice

After Step 1, presoak rice in plain water from 15 minutes to one hour. We want to reduce the time the outer layer of the grain is exposed to high heat to prevent grains from sticking together. The presoaking allows moisture to penetrate the grain, increasing the heat conductivity thus reducing the cooking time. This reduction in time allows the rice grains to be less sticky or better texture. The brown rice may be soaked for longer time. I do this in parallel with Step 3. Use about 1½ cups of plain water for each cup of rice for pre-soaking.

Presoak washed Basmati Rice in 1½ cups of plain water for 15 minutes to one hour at room temperature.

Step 3: Boil water

One of the most common question is how many cups of water are needed for each cup of rice. Theoretically, one cup of rice needs two cups of water to be fully cooked, but there is loss of water via evaporation during cooking. Also, lots of water has already entered the grains during pre-soaking. Depending on the type of rice, it may take longer (more evaporation) to get the same texture.

The relationship between the amount of water and amount of rice is not linear. 1 cup of un-soaked rice may need 2¼ cups of water, while 2 cups of the same rice for similar texture may take 4 cups of water.  The answer is not simple. The ratio depends on type of rice, desired texture as well as the quantity of rice to be cooked. As a rule, I use 2¼ cups of water for each cup of un-soaked Basmati Rice. If you pre-soak rice for two hours, you may only need 1½ of water. I like high moisture plump rice.

This is also the time to add some salt. After the rice is introduced, the rice grains will start absorbing the water, the salt will enter inside the grain to enhance flavor. After the rice has been cooked, you will need a lot more salt and yet the flavor will not be same.

You need ¼ teaspoon of salt per cup of raw rice.

This is also the time to add some cooking oil. The oil further prevents rice from sticking together, as well as it renders texture. 

Bring 2¼ Cups of water to boil with ¼ teaspoon salt,  and ¼ teaspoon cooking oil.

Step 4: Cooking Rice

Introduce presoaked rice to boiling water. Wait till the water comes to a boil. As soon as water comes to a boil, do three things. The cooking time varies from rice to rice. The brown rice takes twice as long to cook than the White Basmati Rice. For White Basmati rice, it is 11 minutes. For brown basmati rice, it will take about 25 minutes.

1. Turn down heat to simmer.

2. Cover the pot with the lid.

3. Start a timer for 11 minutes.

Step 5: Rest Rice

As soon as the timer expires. Do three things

1.Turn off heat.

2. Wait 10 minutes

3. Don't remove the lid.

Enjoy Perfect Rice!