For a more heavily spiced curry, try Sumayya Usmanis traditional Pakistani beef biryani recipe the ultimate comfort food and all made in one pot. Basmati rice is traditionally used as the base for kedgeree, a classic British breakfast recipe where the rices delicate aroma and pure flavour takes centre stage. Graeme Taylor serves his Smoked haddock kedgeree with a poached egg for an extra luxurious finish, while Alfred Prasad uses both basmati rice and lentils to make a delicious and filling meat free meal in his vegetarian kedgeree recipe. Basmati Rice Recipe How to Cook Basmati Rice recipe. Basmati rice recipe easy method to cook rice in a pan. You will get fluffy, each and every rice grain is separated by following this method. Cooking perfect Basmati Rice is tricky sometime. But with some care and tips, you will able to make perfect rice. I have explained each step in detail with what that step does. Please follow the steps while cooking basmati rice. I am sure you will never fail. By following this method, you will get soft, fluffy rice. Each and every grain is separated from other. You can cook rice in pressure cooker or in the deep sauce pan. As per my experience, when I cook rice in pressure cooker. I always get very soft, little mushy and sticky rice. So many people like this kind of texture. But today I am sharing how to cook perfect rice in a pan. When you cook rice in a pan, you will get soft, fluffy and separated grain of rice. Do not even think to skip a single step while making rice. Because each step will help in making the rice perfect. FYI, this is lengthy post. If you are not interested in reading about the cooking science then skip it and go to the step by step recipe below. Ok lets start with each step and what it does scientifically. Why need to wash the rice This step removes dirt, impurities and polishing material if it is used. And also reduces the starch and make cooked rice separate from each other that means less sticky. Why need to soak the rice This step will help to reduce the cooking time. And allows the rice to expand into long grains and the cooked rice will be soft and fluffy. Why need to air dry the rice This step is necessary. Rice becomes soft in soaking step and after that this step will help the rice to firm up. So cooked rice wont break. Why add lemon juice to rice You will not taste a lemon at all. But lemon juice helps rice to keep separated from each other. Low Carb Meals on this page. And cooked rice stays white after it is cooked and cooled. If you have noticed sometimes cooked rice becomes light yellowish after it cools. This lemon juice prevents it from coloring. Why need to keep on rest covered for 1. If you stir hot rice, it will break as they are super soft. So during this resting time rice grains will firm up but still soft in texture, and it will not break while youor Jump to Recipe. Wash basmati rice under running cold water until water runs clear. Soak rice in enough water for at least 1. After 1. 5 minutes drain the rice and let it dry in colander or strainer for 1. This step helps to firm up the rice. After 1. 0 minutes heat the ghee in a thick bottom saucepan on medium heat. Always use deep pan not shallow. Once hot add rice and saut them for a minute. Add 2 cups of water, salt and lemon juice. Let the water come up to a boil. Then cover it. And reduce the heat to the lowest possible heat. Cook it covered for 1. And then turn off the heat. Let it stand for 1. This step is must. So rice get time to firm up and so rice wont break while you stir. Then open the lid. Fluff up rice with use of fork. Perfect basmati rice is ready to serve. Or use in the recipes. Shelf life Best served fresh. But you can keep refrigerated for 3 4 days in air tight container after it cools completely. Serving suggestion Plain basmati rice is ready serve. You can serve it with any curry, dal or rasam. Or you can use this cooked rice for making many spiced rice dishes. Use in making many rice dishes. Methi rice carrot rice vegetable fried rice Vagharelo bhaat phodnicha bhaat. Dal or beans recipes for rice. Whole Masoor dal Maharashtrian amti varan recipe Moth beans curry Gujarati dal recipe Chana dal fry Dal fry Methi dal Dal tadka Whole green moong dal Dal rasam Dal makhani Andhra style tomato pappu. Curry recipes for rice. Capsicum curry Punjabi rajma Paneer butter masala Kala chana curry Aloo palak Lauki chana dal Gujarati potato gravy. Notes All the tips I have mentioned during the cooking method but let me remind you once again. Always use cold water to wash the rice. And warm or room temperature water to soak the rice. Always use deep pan not shallow. Air dry the rice for 1. Always let the cooked rice rest for 1. So rice get time to firm up and so rice wont break while you stir. Clarified Butter Ghee ghee gives a little bit rich taste to the rice. If you are making it for guests or party or special occasions then add ghee. So it gives nice flavor and taste to the plain rice. But if making this rice for your everyday meals then skip the ghee. And make it healthy. You can use oil in place or clarified butter. How To Cook Basmati Rice© 2017