Basmati Rice Recipe | How to Cook Plain Rice

Cooking basmati rice is not rocket science. Make the fluffiest rice using my no fail basmati rice recipe. The recipe includes a two-way stove and IP cooking method.

I don't understand the critics of cooking rice. Fluffy isn't the only way to cook rice. I grew up eating rice everyday. Sometimes twice a day! For many years my Ammi(mother) made me stand next to her in the kitchen so I could learn how to make a simple pot of rice to survive because I never wanted to roll rotis lol.

So, when Ammi went to visit a sick family member, dinner was on me! I cooked my first pot of runny rice and eggplant curry for me, Pappa(my father), and R(Pappa's worker). I won't forget the moment when I served the plate of runny rice with runny eggplant curry to them. They both hesitated to take their first bite but once they took that bite, they didn't stop eating. They went for a second round ;). Anyways, moral of the story, fluffy isn't the only right way to cook the rice. That's it!

Fluffy Rice

I guess if you want, you can cook fluffy basmati rice with my no-fail basmati rice recipe with a few simple steps ;-). Learning a few basic skills of cooking rice and rice to water ratios is the key to achieve no-fail fluffy rice.

Gooey Rice

If fluffy isn't for you, add a little extra water and make it gooey. You do you! Follow the basics of achieving perfectly sweet and gooey rice. I love the texture of gooey rice with curry. Short grain rice is the best to achieve a sweet and sticky texture but it can be done with Basmati rice as well.

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Rice to Water Ratio & Age of Rice Facts:

I have seen folks talk about the water and rice ratio but no one talks about the water to rice ratio according to the age of rice.

Aged & New Rice

Aged rice goes through a physical and chemical process before getting stored for at least a year to age before the distribution. While newly harvested rice does not go through a chemical process and gets stored for less than a year before it reaches the markets. Aged Basmati rice can be purchased from any Indian grocery store or online shop. Major retail stores usually carry new Basmati rice.

• Aged rice is a lot less in starch and lipids, it has a firm texture and a nutty flavor.

• New rice is highly starchy, has a softer texture once cooked, and is sweet in flavor.

Water Ratio to New & Aged Rice

New rice needs less water for cooking because newly harvested rice is well hydrated. As rice starts to age, the moisture content reduces. Therefore, aged rice requires more water for cooking.

Water to rice formula for aged and new rice:

• 1 cup aged Basmati or Sella + 1 ½ cups water = fluffy basmati rice

• 1 cup regular long grain + 1 ⅓ cups water = fluffy rice

• and, for 1 cup new short grain rice + 1 cup water = fluffy rice

How to Cook Basmati Rice:

• Rinse 1 cup basmati rice 2 to 3 times rubbing between your fingers and palms with plenty of water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water.

• While the rice is soaking, bring the water to a rolling boil with salt on high heat. Add rinsed and drained rice to boiling water.

• Bring the heat down to low. Cover the pot and cook rice on low heat for 10 minutes without opening the lid.

• Turn the heat off and take the pot off the stove. Remove the lid and fluff the rice with the help of a spoon or fork. Cover the lid and let it stand for 5 minutes.

Step by Step Indian Restaurant Style Basmati Rice Recipe

For fluffy rice like an Indian restaurant, add a tablespoon of lemon juice to boiling water. Lemon juice helps keep the grains separated.

• Rinse 1 cup of Basmati rice 2 to 3 times until the water runs clear. Rinsing the rice is important to achieve fluffy basmati rice.

• Soak the rinsed rice with enough water to cover.

• Meanwhile, bring about 4 cups of water to a rolling boil in a deep large pan or a stock pan. Add 1 teaspoon salt and optional ¼ teaspoon cumin seeds to the water.

• Carefully transfer the rinsed rice into the boiling water. Add lemon juice.

• Boil the rice for 6-8 minutes on medium-high heat. Turn the heat off. Add the rice into a colander and drain the water.

• Transfer the rice back into the pan. Cover the pan with the lid and let it rest for 5 minutes. Add about 1 tablespoon of warm Ghee. Mix gently to coat the ghee on rice.

Pot for Cooking Basmati Rice

Rice fluffs up and doubles in size. For 1 to 2 cups of rice using at least 3 quarter pot is ideal. I like to use a Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed pot.

Recipes to Serve with Plain Basmati Rice

We love having plain basmati rice with Dal Tadka, Chicken Curry with Pickled Shishito Peppers on side.

You'll love more Basmati Rice Recipes: