
Basic Rice Recipe
VegetarianMakes ENOUGH FOR 4 PEOPLE
A simple pot of basmati rice with separate, fluffy grains and a mild, clean flavour. It is cooked by the absorption method so the rice steams dry without draining.
Ingredients
Method
- Wash 300 g basmati rice in three changes of cold running water, then drain well.
- Bring 600 ml water to a rolling boil in a small pan.
- Stir in the drained rice and salt to taste.
- When the water returns to a boil, lower the heat to a gentle simmer, cover the pan and cook for 10 minutes.
- Switch off the heat and leave the pan covered for 5 minutes, until the water has been absorbed.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and serve warm.
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Basmati rice

Plain boiled riceUse 2.5 times the weight if substituting pre-cooked rice. Fold in gently at the end of the recipe; grains will be shorter and less fragrant.
Similar dishes

Plain Rice
Plain Rice tastes mild and clean with separate grains, like this dish, and its 0.3 g salt makes it only lightly salted.
- Same: Plain Rice shares basmati rice, salt, and a clean mild flavour with this dish.
- Different: Plain Rice lists 150 g rice, 298 g water and 0.3 g salt, while this dish lists 300 g rice and salt and cooks by absorption.

Sada Chaawal
Steamed Rice
Sada Chaawal tastes clean and neutral like this dish, but its vegetable oil may make it slightly richer.
- Same: Sada Chaawal shares basmati rice, salt, and a plain fluffy texture with this dish.
- Different: Sada Chaawal adds vegetable oil and uses more rice than this dish, which has no oil and cooks by absorption without draining.

Khuska
Plain Boiled Rice
Khuska tastes plain and mild like this dish, with fluffy separated grains and a light tender texture; no spices, fat, or souring agent change the flavour.
- Same: Khuska shares basmati rice, salt, and a plain absorption/steam cooking style with this dish; neither lists spices, fat, or a souring agent.
- Different: Khuska lists 1000 g basmati rice and 5.8 g salt, while this dish lists 300 g basmati rice and salt without an amount; both use steam/absorption, but Khuska's description stresses finishing in its own steam.

Pilau Rice
Pilau Rice tastes warm and aromatic from cumin and bay with a richer ghee note, while this dish tastes mild and clean.
- Same: Pilau Rice shares basmati rice and a fluffy, separate-grain absorption-style cooking with this dish.
- Different: Pilau Rice uses 200 g rice with ghee, cumin seed and Indian bay leaf, while this dish uses 300 g rice with only salt and no fat or spices.

