Plain cooked rice
Fluffy rice two ways: absorbed, or boiled and drained
Two reliable ways to cook plain rice. Method 1 lets the rice soak up all its water, for soft, fluffy rice to serve with curry and dal. Method 2 boils it in plenty of water and drains it, giving separate grains for fried rice, pilau and salads. Soaking first helps the grains cook evenly.
- Total time
- 60 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
Method 1: absorption
Method 2: boil and drain
Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Wash 12 ½ oz long-grain or basmati rice in several changes of water until the water runs almost clear, then soak it for 30 minutes and drain.
30 minStep 2: Method 1: boil 4 ¼ cups water in a saucepan. Add the rice and cook on a high heat for 5 minutes.
5 minStep 3: Reduce the heat and cook for about 20 minutes, until the rice is tender.
20 minStep 4: When only a little water remains, cover the saucepan with a lid and let the rice steam until all the water is absorbed. Fluff it up with a fork.
5 minStep 5: Method 2: boil 6 ¼ cups water in a large pan. Add the rice and cook on a high heat for about 20 minutes, until tender. Drain off the surplus water and rinse the rice in cold water.
20 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 310 kcal
- Protein
- 6 g
- Carbs
- 68 g
- Fat
- 1 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
Badal Patel
Good to know
- How long does plain cooked rice take?
- About 60 minutes in total: 35 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of long-grain or basmati rice?
- Any long-grain rice, same amount.
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