How to Cook Basmati Rice

Basmati rice is cultivated in the Indian subcontinent. India and Pakistan are the two largest cultivators and exporters of basmati rice. The translation of basmati in Hindi is "the fragrant one", and the name cannot be more apt, because indeed this rice has an enticing fragrance, even when not cooked. After cooking, the aroma spreads far and wide. Basmati is actually a long grain rice, which is famous for its subtle aroma and delicious taste. The specialty of this rice is that the grains are much longer, than the regular variety of rice and they become even longer, as they begin to cook. Also the grains stay firm and separate after cooking, and also they do not become sticky. Since it becomes very fluffy, it is fantastic for mixing with spicy foods and sauces. There is a trick involved in cooking basmati rice. If the rice is not cooked correct, then the chances are high, that you will not be able to enjoy the rice up to the expectations. We will now see the steps for cooking basmati rice.

How to Cook Basmati Rice ...

... on the Stove
If you have the question, "how to cook Indian style basmati rice", on the stove is the right answer. In India, cooking is normally done on the stove. There is very little or no use of microwave or rice cooker.

• Put the basmati rice into a saucepan and rinse it with cold water thoroughly, as there is a lot of starch clinging to its grains. Wash two to three times with your hands. Let the rice soak in water for 20 to 30 minutes, so that the grains do not break.
• Drain the water from the rice. To cook the rice, you will require water in the ratio 1 cup rice and 1½ cup of water, so that the rice is firm and long grained.
• Add the appropriate amount of water to the sauce pan, cover with a tight-fitting lid and bring the rice to a boil.
• Cooking basmati rice in a heavy pot is recommended and do not disturb the rice or take a peek while it is in the middle of cooking, else there are chances of the grain breaking.
• When the rice comes to a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 12 - 14 minutes before turning off the heat.
• Remove sauce pan from the heat and let it stand covered, for another 5-10 minutes, until you are ready to serve.
• When you open the lid of the saucepan, you will notice, that the rice would have absorbed all the water and will just need fluffing up with a spoon.

... in a Rice Cooker
Although cooking basmati rice on the stove is not difficult, not all of us are comfortable with the method, more so when we have become used to using the rice cooker. You can also cook basmati rice using the rice cooker. Let's see how to cook basmati rice using the rice cooker.

• Take the appropriate quantity of rice and wash it two to three times thoroughly with water, so that the starch is removed from the rice.
• Soak the rice in water for 20 to 30 minutes, so that your cooked rice is firm and does not break.
• Now put the rice in the bowl of the rice cooker.
• Adjust the quantity of water, depending on the quantity of rice you have taken. For example, if you have taken 1 cup of basmati rice, then you will need 1¼ cups of water, so that the rice grains more tender. However if you want firm rice, then you will need just 1 cup of water. Switch on the rice cooker.
• When the rice is cooked, the rice cooker will automatically turn down the heat, hence there is no problem of the rice getting burnt.

How to Cook Brown Basmati Rice
People who are concerned about nutrition in general and basmati rice nutrition in particular, opt for the brown rice. The brown basmati rice cooking instructions are as follows:

• Take the desired quantity of rice and rinse it thoroughly with two to three times under water.
• Soak the rice in water and set it aside for 30 to 40 minutes.
• Place the rice in a saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Add water and salt, and bring to a boil (the salt is used to raise the temperature of water). For 500 gm of rice, you will require 800ml of water. So you will have to adjust the quantity of water accordingly.
• Cover the saucepan and reduce the heat to low. Let the rice cook for 20 to 25 minutes, until all the water has been absorbed.
• Turn off the heat and allow the pan to stand for another 10 to 12 minutes, letting the rice finish cooking in its own steam.

... in Microwave
When you are running behind schedule, you may prefer to use the microwave for cooking. Cooking basmati rice is no exception to it.

• Take the desired quantity of rice and wash it thoroughly under running water.
• Soak the rice for 20 to 30 minutes in water.
• Place the rice n microwave safe dish. Add the appropriate quantity of water. If you take 1 cup of rice, you will require 1 ½ cups of water.
• Now cook the rice on high, uncovered for about 15 minutes, until steam holes appear in rice.
• Then cover the dish and let the rice cook on high 5 more minutes.
• Let rice stand covered for about 5 minutes, then fluff the rice with a fork.

You can also use the various basmati rice recipes, to cook the rice differently. In this article, I have mentioned the approximate time and water required for cooking basmati rice. However, this may change depending on the basmati rice you use. Hence, it will be more of a trial and error method for you the first time around you cook the rice.