Perfect Basic Rice Recipes

CLASSIC STOVE-TOP METHOD FOR PERFECT WHITE RICE

Steps:

• Bring water, butter, and salt to a boil in medium saucepan. Stir in rice and return to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid, 16 to 18 minutes (check only toward end of cooking time). The rice should be studded with craters, or steam holes, when it is ready. Remove from heat and let steam, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve.

PERFECT WHITE RICE

Steps:

• Bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in rice and salt and return to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid, 16 to 18 minutes (check only toward the end of cooking time). The rice should be studded with craters, or steam holes, when it is ready.
• Remove from heat and let steam, covered, for 10 minutes. Then fluff with a fork and serve.

PERFECT WHITE RICE

Steps:

• Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add rice and stir to coat. Cook until rice grains begin to turn opaque, 1 to 2 minutes; do not brown. Add water and salt.
• Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer for 15 minutes. Do not lift the lid.
• Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

UTTERLY FOOLPROOF RICE

Steps:

• Fill a roomy saucepan with water, bring to the boil and tip in a heaped teaspoon of salt - the water will bubble furiously. Pour in the rice, stir once and return to the boil, then turn the heat down a little so that the water is boiling steadily, but not vigorously.
• Boil uncovered, without stirring (this makes for sticky rice) for 10 minutes. Lift some out with a slotted spoon and nibble a grain or two. If they're too crunchy, cook for another minute and taste again. They should be tender but with a little bite.
• Drain the rice into a large sieve and rinse by pouring over a kettle of very hot water. Leave to drain well, then tip into a warm serving dish. Serve the rice as it is, or fork through a little butter and parsley to jazz it up.

PERFECT BASIC RICE

Steps:

• In a saucepan with a good fitting lid bring chicken broth and butter to a boil.
• Add rice and stir.
• Cover and reduce heat to medium low. Cook for 20 minutes. DO NOT LIFT LID!
• Remove from heat and fluff with fork. Serve!