Cooking any kind of rice shouldn't be complicated. And honestly, it isn't. And everyone should know how to cook basmati rice well as it's one of the best varieties of rice and has a unique, nutty aroma, and the rice has a light, airy texture when cooked. It is gluten-free.
Characteristics of well-cooked basmati rice
A well-cooked serving of basmati rice should be aromatic, soft, fluffy and mouthwatering. Also, the grains must retain their shape, are not broken, and are separate from each other.
There are two ways of cooking basmati rice in a pot
- Boiling method – In this method, rice needs an ample amount of water to cook. After cooking the rice perfectly, discard the excess water.
- Absorption method – In this cooking method, rice needs a precise amount of water.
Rice: water ratio for cooking pre-soaked rice in a pan:
- Regular basmati rice – 1:2
- Organic basmati rice – 1:21/2
- Parboiled basmati rice or sella basmati rice – 1:21/2 to 3
Best method to cook the basmati rice:
- Rinsing the basmati rice before cooking is essential to ensure that it removes the excess starch. It helps to keep the rice from clumping once cooked. Wash the rice with fresh water 4 or 5 times in a fine-mesh sieve or filling a pot, stirring the rice with your hands, then draining and repeating.
- Soaking: Basmati rice needs to soak the rice as the rice becomes softer. Let the rice soak for 20-30 minutes. Then rinse the rice and separate the water.
- Basmati rice to water ratio: for every cup of basmati rice, add one and a half cups of water.
Remember, different brands of rice and differently aged rice may need slightly less or slightly more water. - Cover the saucepan with a lid. Low the flame and let the water boil. That should take about 5 to 6 minutes. Watch it carefully to keep the water from boiling over.
- Don't stir it rapidly: You don't need to stir the rice while it's cooking. Stirring can break the grains.
- Let the rice on rest: It is crucial to let the rice bubble for 10 minutes until all the water is absorbed into the rice. Turn off the heat, and leave the saucepan covered for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Fluff the rice: Uncover the saucepan and fluff the rice with a fork. The rice is now ready to serve.
To cook rice, use a rice cooker or a heavy-bottomed pot over the stove.
If you'd like to add more flavor to your basmati rice, you can use spices apart from water to cook it. Alternatively, you can make popular Jeera rice or plain basmati rice. You can also add a few strands of saffron while cooking the rice for both color and flavor.
