How to Cook the Perfect Basmati Rice

Cook the perfect Basmati Rice with your favorite dishes for the best dining experience!

These grains came from India, and the word basmati means “fragrant” in Hindi. It is truly an ingredient fitting for its name because you will achieve fluffy, aromatic, and delicious rice after cooking it! 

Indeed, every meal is made special with this basmati rice recipe! 

How to Cook Basmati Rice

Today, you will learn how to cook tasty and soft basmati rice for every dish! 

Ingredients

Basmati rice

Basmati rice is a long-grain rice usually imported from India or Pakistan. It is parboiled and rinsed to remove excess starch for loose grains and color. Moreover, what sets basmati rice apart from other grains is that it is naturally nutty and aromatic! 

I also use these grains for Jollof Rice, Fried Rice, Leftover Fried Rice, and Coconut Fried Rice!

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is an organic and natural oil infused with coconuts’ nutty taste and aroma. It also has a low smoking point, making it perfect for stir-frying.

Salt

Seasoning basmati rice can be as simple as adding a bit of salt. Additionally, it balances the nutty taste and removes starchiness. Remember to add it moderately to prevent it from becoming too salty. 

Water

Use the water to parboil, rinse, and cook the rice. It loosens up the grains and fully cooks them.

You can probably already tell from the ingredients alone that it’s easy yet yummy with any other recipe! 

Directions

Let’s cook the best basmati rice ever!

1. Pour the basmati rice into a pot of cold water.
2. Cover and leave to parboil on medium heat for about 5 minutes. 
3. Then, rinse the rice in a bowl with warm water to eliminate excess starch.
4. Wash the rice again until most of the starch is gone.
5. Season the rice with salt and pour it into the hot water.
6. Mix in the coconut oil and evenly spread it to the rice.
7. Cover and leave it to steam and cook on low heat for 10 to 15 minutes. 
8. Leave on low heat until you are satisfied with the texture. 

Check to see if the water has dried up and taste to determine if the rice is soft to your satisfaction.

What dish do you love to serve with basmati rice? Doesn’t the rice make the meal extra special and delicious? From texture and flavor, everything about this basmati rice is extremely good!

Tips

Storing basmati rice

• Basmati rice is readily available in packages in grocery stores, so buying it won’t be an issue.
• Unopened rice containers can last indefinitely at room temperature while keeping them away from contaminants. 
• Once opened, transfer the rice to an airtight container or seal the original packaging.
• You can also store it in the fridge or the freezer in freezer bags. 

Basmati Rice Variations

Aside from adding the coconut oil and salt, you can flavor the rice with other tasty ingredients like vegetable stock, chicken broth, thyme, black pepper, canola oil, ginger, and more! 

There are also different kinds of basmati rice that you can try. In fact, you can also try this recipe for other rice varieties like brown rice, jasmine rice, and other grains. 

There are plenty of ways to cook rice. For instance, you can prepare it in a rice cooker or oven.

Rice cooker

1. Rinse the grains.
2. Then, cook them in the rice cooker with coconut oil, salt, and water.
3. Let the rice cooker keep warm until you’re ready to serve. 

Oven

1. Mix two cups of water with one cup of rice in a heat-resistant dish.
2. Allow it to bake in a preheated oven at 220°C for 25 minutes or until done. 

Recommended Tools

• Pot: Cook the rice in a pot over a stove. 
• Spoon: Mix the ingredients in the rice with a spoon. 
• Glass bowl: Rinse the rise in a glass bowl.

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How to Serve Basmati Rice

Basmati rice can be served with almost any dish. Below are some of the recipes that I highly suggest for this rice:

• Ofada Stew
• Fried Pepper Sauce – Ata Dindin
• Fried Chicken Gizzards Stew
• Egusi Soup
• Fried Assorted Fish Stew

For other rice varieties, you can also cook them with savory ingredients for a colorful and appetizing Jollof Rice or Coconut Rice. Also, if you have leftover rice, you can cook it into a Fried Rice recipe.

Storage Tips

• At room temperature: According to the Food Network, cooked basmati rice can be left at room temperature for about two hours. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is basmati rice better than white rice?

In an article by PlantBasedFAQs, basmati rice is helpful for people who want to regulate their blood sugar levels. Basmati rice is also high in fiber for weight loss and digestion. 

On the other hand, white rice has fewer calories compared to this rice. White rice is also easier to digest and quickly absorbed by the body. It all boils down to which rice suits your preferences and your diet. 

Is basmati rice healthy? 

Yes, it is. It aids in heart health, brain function, cancer prevention, weight loss, blood sugar, and digestion. Limit your rice intake to one cup per serving. 

What is so special about basmati rice?

One of the best things about basmati rice is its texture and aroma. It has a loose texture, especially when cooked properly. It is also fragrant compared to other rice options. Therefore, if you’re looking for something new to serve, try this recipe!