Different Ways to Cook Basmati Rice
Basmati rice is a favourite of all. Basically, it can be prepared in three methods, including stovetop, instant pot, and regular pressure cooker method. No need is to worry about cooking as it is not as tough as it is often touted to be. All that needs to be ensured is about following the right procedure. Prior to stepping into the cooking process, the following fundamental steps must be followed.
Clean the Rice well
Washing the rice is extremely important when it comes about basmati rice. The prime purpose behind doing this is to remove impurities and extraneous content of starch. Also, this practice avoids fears of rice getting sticky together. One must at least rinse thrice or four times in water, ensuring it doesn’t turn milky as while doing for the initial time.
Immerse (soak) the rice thoroughly
It is not mandatory to immerse the basmati rice prior to cook; but, it’s good to do that for a better outcome and therefore cooking. One must immerse the rice for around half an hour prior to starting to cook, which makes the rice soak water and let the grains settle, in fact turning it softer.
Don’t discard immersed water for cooking
The same liquid in which the rice was soaked can be used again as well; no need to discard it. All that it needs to be ensured is that proper rice to water ratio is maintained.
Never stir it
It is suggested not to stir the rice when the cooking process goes on, as it breaks down the grain. Needless is to say that everyone prefers little extra longer grains in its best shape. In case of our premium Irha Rice it is suggested not to stir them at all as the rare quality and extra length will be harmed and therefore loose its rare quality!
Ingredients needed for each method
The stovetop method
- 1 cup Basmati Rice
- 1 3/4 cup Water
The Instant Pot method
- 1 cup Basmati Rice
- 1 1/4 cup Water
Usual Pressure Cooker method
- 1 cup Basmati Rice
- 1 1/2 cups Water
- 1/2 teaspoon Oil
Stovetop Method
It is considered the simplest of the three. One simply needs to go through the following steps.
- Provide thoroughly washed rice and essential amount of water within a pot and allow the same to immerse for a minimum half an hour.
- Keep the immerse rice on the top, and make sure it is boiling well. The moment boiling process begins, lower the flame as much possible (almost simmer mode), make it thoroughly covered. Cook the rice for at least ten minutes from here. Lit off the stove and allow the rice to get settled for an extra five minutes. Ultimately, the rice cooked over the stovetop is ready to be served.
Instant Pot Method
Below are the steps to be followed for cooking basmati rice by instant pot method.
- Pass the washed rice and desired amount of water into the pot within
- Allow it to get soaked for 30 minutes.
- Post half an hour, let the rice get cooked by through manual pressure only for 4 minutes. After the four minutes are gone, and the whistle blows, allow the pressure to get released usually for 5 minutes. One may let the pressure released manually post five minutes. Finally, the rice using the instant pot method is ready to be served.
Usual Pressure Cooker Method
The following steps are recommended for cooking basmati rice using a pressure cooker
- Put thoroughly washed rice as mentioned above, rice and essential amount of water within pressure cooker and allow the same to get immersed for a period of 30 minutes.
- Put some oil and fix the lid of the pressure cooker and keep it on the stove. Allow it to get cooked in medium to higher heat; it’s quite enough with a couple of whistles. Switch off the gas after it’s done with a couple of whistles and allow the pressure to get out naturally. Now the Basmati is ready to be served!
Key points to remember
It is important to note that maintaining the right timing and amount of water is crucial. Most importantly, one should not avoid the proper washing of the rice; it turns sticky otherwise. Above all, it’s the quality of rice that has always been crucial in this cooking. For best result, it is always suggested to go with White rice from a well-known brand. To be specific, white rice by Irha Rice would be the best suggestion as it works well with all the above three methods.
4th microwave method
5th electric rice cooker method