How To Cook Basmati Rice (Perfect and Fluffy)

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Learn how to cook basmati rice on the stovetop that's not sticky and have perfectly fluffy rice every time!

What Is Basmati Rice?

Basmati rice is an aromatic long-grain rice grown in India and Pakistan. It's a type of white rice. Basmati comes from the Hindi word for "fragrant" and that's very fitting. It has a nutty aroma and great flavor.

The long grains remain separated allowing curries and other sauces to coat for maximum flavor. It's the preferred choice for dousing with curries and sauce-based dishes. Basmati rice is also used for cooking dishes - like Biryanis and Pilafs, famous rice dishes from the Indian sub-continent.

Perfect Basmati Rice

Cooking rice that is fluffy and not sticky lies in a few simple steps.

The first of all is, rinsing the rice. Rinsing the rice gets rid of extra starch that makes it gummy and stick together. Rinsing the rice is a breeze. Simply place the rice in a bowl with cold water, swish the rice around using your hands to release the excess starch. The water will be cloudy at first but after several rinses, it will be clear.

Next, is the rice to water ratio. There are many basmati rice varieties and they all don't absorb the same amount of water. But a good starting point is 1 to 1.5 cups of rice to water ratio. If it needs more water, we can sprinkle some at the last stage.

Then, you simmer until all the water is absorbed and let the rice rest undisturbed for 10 minutes.

INGREDIENTS

• Basmati Rice
• Butter, Ghee or oil - olive oil, avocado oil or vegetable oil
• Salt - Kosher salt or sea salt
• Flavorings(optional) - Bay leaf, cardomom, curry leaves or cinnamon

Step by Step Process for Basmati Rice Recipe

How To Make Basmati Rice on Stovetop

Follow these steps to cook basmati rice perfectly!

1. Place the rice in a bowl and add enough water to cover the rice. Using your hands, swish the rice around to remove excess starch. Pour the water out, leaving the rice in the bowl. Rinse the rice several times until the water runs clear. Drain the rice.
2. In a medium sized pot, add rice, water, salt, oil and bayleaf and bring to a boil.
3. Turn the heat to medium low, cover with a tight fitting lid. Cook rice until all the water is absorbed.
4. Turn the heat off and allow the rice to steam for another 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Remove the lid and fluff the cooked rice using a rice paddle or a spoon.
6. Serve warm.

Best Tips

• Rinse - some might skip it but this is important for a clean tasting rice whether it comes from package or from a bulk bin.
• Drain - so you don't carry over excess water to the pot resulting in sticky rice.
• Boil without lid - don't cover the pot with the lid until the first boil.
• Tight fitting lid - a loose fitting lid let's out water and steam and you'll end with undercooked rice.
• Rest - once all the water is absorbed, turn the heat off and let the rice rest. Rice will continue to cook throughout. DO NOT open the lid and let the steam out!
• Fluff - fluff the rice with a rice paddle or a thin spoon so as not to break the grains. Use a gentle scooping motion to loosen the rice from the edges of the pot to the middle.
• Firm rice - If the rice is firm even after resting, sprinkle some water on top, cover and cook on a low simmer for an extra 5 minutes.

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FAqs About Basmati Rice

Do you need to soak the rice?

No, you don't need to soak the rice. For some dishes like Biryani and pilaf, you might need to and the recipe will specifically call for it.

What's the difference between Basmati rice and white rice?

Basmati rice is a type of white rice and it's more fragrant than the others. And the grains are longer. There are many varieties of basmati rice. But they all have long grains and a nutty aroma.

Is Basmati rice healthier than regular rice?

One is not better than the other. They are both carbs and have the same nutritional profile with minute differences that are pretty insignificant.

How to season Basmati rice?

Add salt along with water. Using butter or ghee adds flavor to the rice. Use bay leaf, cinnamon stick, pandan leaf to give the rice extra flavor and fragrance.

How To Cook Basmati Rice in Rice Cooker

To cook rice in the rice cooker, add rice, water, salt, and bay leaf to the rice cooker, cover and press the "Cook" button. After the "Keep warm" light turns on, let it cook for 10 more minutes.

How To Store And Reheat

Store cooked rice in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. If the rice feels slimy and the smell is off, it's probably time to discard it.

Reheat in the microwave until warm.

How To Freeze

Portion the rice into freezer bags and freeze for 3 months. You can let it thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat it.

What To Serve Basmati Rice With

Serve plain rice with curries or stir-fries. I like to serve them with:

• Sri Lankan Chicken Curry,
• Ground Meat Curry(Keema)
• Butter Chicken.
• Cauliflower Coconut Curry

Or sauce-based dishes like Air Fryer General Tso's Chicken.

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