How to cook basmati rice

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Basmati rice (I used India gate Super)
• 1 cup Water
• 1 cup Basmati rice
• Sesame oil few drops
• 6 cups Water

Instructions

1. 1

   First wash and soak basmati rice for 30 mins.

2. 2

   Drain water completely.

3. 3

   --- How to cook basmati rice in cooker: ---

4. 4

   I use 1 cup water for 1/2 cup. It turns soft and long. That is 1: 2 for rice : water ratio. If you want more stiffer, you can reduce the ratio of water 1 & 1/2 cups for 1 cup rice. For example, for fried rice I use less water and for eating it along with gravy or south Indian variety rice, I use 2 cups.

5. 5

   Boil 1& 1/2 cups water in a pressure cooker. (I used a 5 litre cooker, clip on model but any pressure cooker should work) Keep the rice inside and close the pressure cooker.

6. 6

   Pressure cook for 4 whistles. Let pressure release naturally.

7. 7

   Fluff the rice very gently and keep covered until consuming.

8. 8

   --- Cooking basmati rice in open pot method: ---

9. 9

   Bring 6 cups of water with oil, in a wide mouthed pot to rolling boil.

10. 10

    Add rice only after rolling boil stage comes and let it come to a rolling boil again.

11. 11

    Stir once. Let it boil briskly for 5 minutes.Check a grain of rice by mashing it in between your fingers.

12. 12

    If it is hard and doesnt get mashed and breaks, then continue boiling.

13. 13

    I boiled 2 more minutes and again when checked, it was long and getting mashed. Still not too very soft.

14. 14

    But this is the right stage to switch off. So we are looking for 80 to 90% cooked rice only.

15. 15

    Pour over a colander (I keep a large bowl under to collect the starch water) and drain water.

16. 16

    You should discard the collected starch water and again place the colander over the bowl and keep rice covered for 15 mins.

17. 17

    The rice should be given minimum 15 mins standing time before serving.

18. 18

    Then only your rice will be completely cooked.

19. 19

    After 15 mins, dont forget to fluff the rice gently and transfer to serving bowl.