How to cook rice effortlessly

This cooking technique is for white rice. It works with long and short grain rice, with Indian basmati, and sticky rice too.

Basmati rice is one of the best for eating plain: It's delicious even by itself, healthy and easy to digest.

The best kitchen tool for cooking rice right

For 1½ cups of rice the best cooking utensil is a saucepan or casserole with lid of about 7 to 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter.

A not-too-thin saucepan bottom also makes cooking rice easier.

Finally, the ratio of rice to water is generally 1 measure of rice to 2 measures of water.

Ingredients for cooking rice

Serves 4 to 6

• 1½ cups (12 ounces or 350 g) rice
• 3 cups (0.75 cl) hot water
• 1 level teaspoon salt or to taste

How to cook rice instructions

Preparation time: 4 minutes.
Cooking time: 14 to 18 minutes.

1. First wash the rice: Add it to a strainer and put it under running water for a few minutes. Keep stirring the rice with your hand or a wooden spoon to rinse it better. Drain it.


2. Add the water to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the salt and stir briefly. Add the rice and stir briefly. Bring to a boil again and cook uncovered for 5 minutes over medium-high heat.


• The 5 minutes can be extended to 7 minutes if you feel it's necessary. When you see that there's no excess of water on the surface and the rice begins to build small craters, it's time to put the lid and turn the heat down. This usually happens after 5 to 7 minutes of cooking the rice uncovered.


3. Turn the heat to low and cover. Continue cooking for 9 more minutes without stirring. The rice should absorb all the water.
   
   
   • 14 minutes into the total cooking time, taste a few grains of rice to see if you have to cook it a few more minutes or it's already done.
   
   
   For sticky rice, when you turn the heat to low, leave the lid slightly ajar.


4. When it's done, remove from heat and allow it to rest covered for 3 to 5 minutes.