Get excellent, fluffy results every time you cook basmati rice with the aid of our advice and simple instructions. A colander, a fork, and a pot with a cover are all you require. One of the staple meals in the world, rice is cooked in millions of homes every day, yet some people believe they cannot prepare it properly.
If you adhere to a few basic guidelines and use the appropriate technique for your variety of rice, cooking rice is straightforward. If you follow these instructions, we promise you won’t create a clumpy, sticky, or glutinous mess again. There are just two regulations: First, it is simpler to determine how much water to add when measuring rice by volume. Second, never stir the rice as it cooks; doing so will cause it to split apart and become sticky.
About Basmati Rice
Although you may have eaten it, you probably have no idea much about basmati rice. It’s alright. That is why I’m here to increase your understanding of your favourite meals so you can better understand what you’re eating and enjoy it. The Hindi word for rice, basmati, literally translates to “fragrant.”
It is fragrant, long-grain rice grown in Bangladesh and Pakistan, two nearby nations, and the Indian subcontinent. The fragrance component in basmati rice gives the rice its recognisable, pandan leaf-like flavour. Basmati rice has a taste that is nearly nutty and quite fragrant.
Cook Perfect Basmati Rice
1. Clean the rice
Rinsing the rice is the key factor affecting the texture of cooked rice. While basmati rice contains starch, it is less than short-grain rice. But to make the rice grains less sticky, the starch must be eliminated. Rice should be washed twice or three times to remove extra starch. Do not omit this step. Always wash the rice well before cooking it, regardless of the method.
2. Put rice in water
The rice’s cooking time is shortened by soaking, which jumpstarts the absorption process. Basmati rice’s fragrance is heat-sensitive. The scent will decrease as cooking time increases. Rice should be soaked before cooking to save cooking time and maximise taste. Additionally, soaked rice seems to be whiter in colour than unsoaked rice.
3. Cook Rice in soaking water
The scent of basmati rice is present in the soaking water. Therefore, utilising the same water will make the scent stronger. Use only half the rice if it has been thoroughly soaked in water, and throw away the rest.
4. Add drops of lemon juice
When cooking rice or veggies, they add lemon juice to keep the colour vibrant. Furthermore, it stops the rice from clinging to one another.
5. Don’t constantly stir the rice
The grain of basmati rice is fragile after adding to the boiling water to prevent lumps and once again after salting it. The rice grains will break while cooking if you stir them often.
6. Broad pan or pot
The length of basmati rice increases by around two or three times. So choose a cooking pot in such a manner. I use a hand that can produce several types of basmati rice. A nonstick pan is an additional option.
7. Keep the lid closed while boiling
Steam is a crucial component of the absorption method’s cooking process. The rice’s texture will change if the lid is opened, allowing all the steam to escape.
8. Cooking period
The precise cooking time for basmati rice cannot be anticipated. It takes 12 minutes for me. Depending on the type of rice, how old it is, how hard the water is, and how hot the burner is, it may take 10 to 15 minutes. The cooking time will be 20 to 25 minutes longer without soaking.
Final Words
Bring a package of basmati rice home, and prepare a delectable dish! With your newfound rice cooking expertise, you can wow your family and friends with your culinary prowess. It pairs well with any dal, gravy, or even something as straightforward as curd.
Additionally, it may be used to prepare rice dishes like Pongal, biryani, pilaf, and others. Give your friends and family who wish to learn how to make perfect basmati rice step-by-step instructions. You may now partake in the heritage of basmati rice.
