How to Cook Perfect Basmati Rice on the Stove
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How to Cook Perfect Basmati Rice on the Stove
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How to cook basmati rice (or other long-grain) pilau Indian style without a rice cooker. The result is perfect, fluffy grains each time, fragranced with spices to match its accompanying dish. Naturally gluten-free.
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Ingredients
- 315 g (11oz/ 1 ⅔ cups) basmati rice long-grain
- 1½ teaspoon vegetable oil or olive oil (or mix of oil/butter)
- 2 cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric optional
- 3 cm (1 inch) piece of cinnamon stick optional (see NOTES)
- 350 g (12 floz/ ¾ pint/1½ cups) water
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Instructions
- First weigh out the rice using digital scales, then wash in a bowl with enough water to cover. Drain then soak in cold water for 30 minutes (it doesn't matter how much, as long as it covers the rice well) to remove any excess starch. Drain using a sieve.
- In a saucepan, gently heat the oil and add the cloves (plus other spices, if using) for up to a minute to release their fragrances. Add the drained rice and salt, stirring quickly to coat in the spiced oil as it sizzles. Add the measured water, stir to ensure no grains are sticking to the bottom of the pan. Cook for about a minute on high heat until boiling. At this point, cover tightly with the lid and turn down the heat to very low.
- Cook for 11 minutes (it's exact, no less) until all the water is absorbed without removing the lid. Take off the lid, turn off the heat and fluff up the rice with a fork. Still off the heat, return the lid on and leave for about 2 minutes to rest, so that the grains don't stick to the pan.
Notes
- This pilau recipe works well with other kinds of long-grain rice. Adapt the spices or flavours according to your accompanying dish: e.g. bay leaf to replace the cloves or a peppercorn if not Indian style dishes. Just follow the same method as above.
- Quantities for 2 people: 158g Basmati, 175g water.Quantities for 3 people: 236g Basmati, 262g water.
- Nutritional information per serving: 2.4g protein, 0% cholesterol, 10% carbohydrate, 3% dietary fibre. 1 cup cooked basmati rice: 133 calories
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6 reviews
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