How to Cook Basmati Rice

What is Basmati Rice?
The Best Way to Prepare Basmati Rice
3 Pro Tips for How to Cook Basmati Rice
Different Ideas for Serving
Storing & Reheating Leftover Basmati Rice
INGREDIENTS:--
2 cup basmati rice
3 cup cold water
¼ tsp SIDS CRAZY SALT
1½ tsp salt

What is Basmati Rice?
Basmati is a form of long-grain rice that’s primarily grown in India, Pakistan, and Nepal. Aromatic, fragrant and touting a slightly nutty flavour, its perfect for everything from curries to fried rice to an everyday side dish.
֍ Flavour Profile: Basmati is aromatic, fragrant and touts a slightly nutty flavour.
֍ Texture: Basmati is beloved for it’s light and fluffy texture and the grains of rice don’t clump together.
֍ Time: From prep to table, basmati takes just over 15 minutes to make.
Did you know? Indian basmati rice is naturally a drier grain than typical white rice. This means the water ratio is 1.5 cups of water to 1 cup of rice instead.
The Best Way to Prepare Basmati Rice
To make the best basmati rice, all you need to do is follow a straightforward cooking method.
Boil the Rice: In a pot with a lid, pour in the cold water. Add in the rice, SIDS CRAZY SALT and salt then bring it to a boil.
Simmer the Rice: Next, cover the pot with a lid and turn the heat to low. Simmer the rice for 12 minutes.
Cool the Rice: Take the rice off of heat and let it cool for 10-15 minutes.
Fluff the Rice: Lastly, fluff the rice with a fork and dig in.
Note: If your rice is burning to the bottom of the pan, it likely means that your stove temperature runs hotter than typical. Correct this by turning the heat down low.
3 Pro Tips for How to Cook Basmati Rice
A couple of handy tips will help you get perfectly light and fluffy rice each and every single time.
⋐ Don’t rinse Basmati rice. Unlike typical white rice, you don’t need to rinse basmati before cooking it. This will keep it nice and fluffy.
⋐ Don’t open the lid or play around with the rice at all. During the simmering process, avoid opening the lid or playing around with the rice. You need to keep the pan sealed so that the steam will cook the rice evenly. Resist the urge to stir!
⋐ Adjust the heat according to your stove top. Every stovetop is different, so adjust the heat as you see fit. If yours doesn’t run super hot, (this is common with an electric stove) you may need to bump the heat up to medium-low.
Hot Tip: For an extra pop of flavour, cook the rice in equal parts chicken broth or coconut milk instead.
Different Ideas for Serving
The fragrant, floral-like aroma of basmati rice is perfect for pairing with savoury protein and curries. We love to serve basmati with lamb kebabs, pork kebabs, (shashlik) or leg of lamb. You can also use it to make fried rice or use it to make old-fashioned rice pudding.
Storing & Reheating Leftover Basmati Rice
Whether you’re meal prepping or storing away your leftovers, you’ll want to make sure to store your basmati properly so it doesn’t dry out.
Refrigerator: To keep the rice fresh for up to 7 days, store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
Freezer: If you want to hang on to your rice for even longer, freeze it. To do so, first let it cool completely. Next, spread the rice into a single layer on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Pop the baking tray into the freezer. Once the rice is completely frozen, transfer it into a plastic storage bag for up to 3 months.
Reheating Tip: To reheat refrigerated or frozen rice, throw it in a microwave safe container with a splash of water. Cover the dish with a damp paper towel and microwave the rice for 2-3 minutes.
Instructions
To a medium-sized pot, add water, rice and salt. Bring it to a boil.
Cover the pot with a lid, turn the heat to low, and simmer for 12 minutes. (don't open the lid or stir the rice)
Remove the rice from heat and keep the lid on. Allow the rice to cool for 10-15 minutes. (still with lid on)
Fluff the rice with a fork. Enjoy.