How to Cook Perfect Basmati Rice

Basmati Rice Cooked on the Stove Top

Basmati Rice Cooked in the Microwave Oven

Thanks to my Facebook friends on Kitchen Raagas for introducing me to the perfect way to cook Basmati rice in the microwave oven. Here are the instructions for cooking the rice on a stove top and in a microwave oven. The ingredients are the same for both methods.

It takes 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes resting time) to cook rice on the stove top and 18 minutes (plus 10 minutes resting time) in the microwave oven. The advantage to microwave cooking is that there are no pots & pans to clean. I was also surprised to find out that rice takes only 18 minutes to cook in the microwave oven as opposed to 40 minutes in a rice cooker!

Ingredients:
2 (6 oz. rice cooker) cups Basmati rice, rinsed in several changes of water & drained

4 (8 oz.) cups water

Directions:

On the Stove Top

1. Bring water & rice to a boil in a saucepan that has a tight-fitting lid.
2. Reduce heat to lowest setting and cover with lid.
3. Allow to cook without lifting cover for 25 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and set aside for 10 minutes before serving.

In the Microwave Oven

1. Place rice and water in a large microwaveable dish.
2. Microwave, uncovered, on high power for 18 minutes.
3. Leave in microwave for 10 minutes before serving.