How To Make Rice

Learn how to make rice perfectly with this tutorial featuring steps to make any type of rice you can think of from basmati to brown over the stove, in a rice cooker or even in the microwave!  If you love this DIY, you will also love learning how to saute onions, how to make brown sugar, how to learn cake flour and how to make cake release.

Making rice is a simple and essential cooking skill. Here's a basic method for making white rice on the stovetop. This recipe is for long-grain white rice, which is the most common type of rice used in many dishes.

Ingredients:

1 cup long-grain white rice

2 cups water

1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)

1 tablespoon butter or oil (optional)

Instructions:

Rinse the rice:

Place the rice in a fine-mesh sieve or fine colander and rinse it under cold running water. Gently agitate the rice with your fingers while rinsing to remove excess starch, which can make the rice sticky. Continue rinsing until the water runs clear.

Measure the rice and water:

For every 1 cup of rice, you'll need 2 cups of water. You can adjust the quantity based on your needs, just maintain the 1:2 rice-to-water ratio.

Combine rice and water in a pot:

In a medium-sized saucepan or pot, add the rinsed rice and 2 cups of water. If you prefer, add a pinch of salt and a tablespoon of butter or oil at this point for added flavor.

Bring to a boil:

Place the pot on the stove over high heat. Bring the rice and water to a boil. Stir it once to ensure that the rice is evenly distributed in the water.

Reduce heat and cover:

Once the water reaches a rolling boil, reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Make sure there's no steam escaping.

Simmer:

Allow the rice to simmer on low heat for about 15-20 minutes. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the type of rice and your stove. Check the package instructions for recommended cooking times.

Steam and fluff:

After the cooking time is up, turn off the heat but leave the pot covered. Let the rice sit for an additional 5-10 minutes to steam. This will help to finish cooking the rice and make it fluffy. Do not remove the lid during this time.

Fluff the rice:

After steaming, uncover the pot. Use a fork to fluff the rice, gently separating the grains. This will make the rice light and airy.

Serve:

Your rice is now ready to be served as a side dish or as a base for various dishes.

Remember that cooking times can vary depending on factors such as the type of rice and the altitude where you are cooking. Adjust the cooking time accordingly. With practice, you'll become better at making perfectly cooked rice.