How to cook the perfect basmati rice | Easy step by step instructions to cook fluffy basmati rice

Updated: Sep 7

Rice is the staple food of eastern and southern parts of India. The southern part India is located near the equator and it’s the perfect climate to grow rice. A typical southern Indian meal consist of rice, lentils and veggies. I grew up in a Southern Indian city called Chennai. During summer breaks my Dad used to take us on road trips. When we drive through the rural areas, I would love to sit by the window seat and watch the lush green rice fields along the sides of the road. It's a divine and calm feeling!

How to cook rice

Add 1 cup basmati rice in a bowl. Add 4 cups of water and soak the rice in water for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes wash the rice by swirling your hands in the rice and water. Drain the water using a strainer. Repeat the same process for 3 times. This will remove the excess starch from the rice. Take a pot and add the washed rice and 2 cups water. Place the pot on the stove and cook the rice in high heat for five minutes. When the rice and water starts to boil turn the heat to low and close the pot with a lid. Cook the rice in low heat for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes open the pot. The basmati rice will be cooked with no burnt layer in the bottom of the pot. The cooked rice will not stick together and you can fluff it with a fork or a spatula. If you follow these simple steps you can make the perfect basmati rice.

You can add one extra step to the above recipe to make Jeera rice, which is cumin flavored rice. Cumin seeds gives a nutty flavor to the rice. And it also helps to regulate digestion.

Jeera Rice (serving size -2)

Ingredients

1 cup basmati rice

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tbsp. ghee

2 cups water

1 tsp. cumin seeds

Procedure

1. Soak the rice in water for 30 minutes and then wash it.

2. Place a pot on the stove and turn on the heat.

3. Add the ghee into the pot.

4. When the ghee melts add the cumin seeds, when the cumin seeds turn dark brown add the rice, salt and water.