How To Make Long Grain Rice

Step 1: You will need

Step 2: Sweat the rice

Place the pan over a medium heat. Now add the oil and pour in the rice, slowly mixing it until all the grains are evenly coated. Allowing the rice to sweat in this manner separates the grains and enhances its flavour.

When nicely coated, season the rice with a bit of salt and pour in the water. Allow it to come to a boil and lower the heat to a minimum.

It is at this point when you can add cardamom, thyme, a bay leaf, or any other aromatic spices to infuse your rice with their tastes. Experiment with different flavours!

Step 3: Cover and allow the rice to cook

Put the lid on the pan and allow the rice to cook. At around 10-12 minutes, your rice should be about finished. Check it so that it does not overcook.

When the rice is finished, turn off the heat and give it another 10 minutes to rest, with the lid still in place.

When all the water is absorbed, taste the rice to see if it is done. If the grains seem a little hard, add a tiny amount of water, replace the lid, and let it continue to cook.

Step 4: Fluff the rice

Your rice is just about ready to serve. Add butter to enhance its flavour and mix it in, fluffing the rice with a fork. Add a pinch more salt to your rice, fluff it a little more and your rice is complete!

If you like, you can omit the butter and enjoy the great flavour of plain basmati rice.

Step 5: Serve

Serve it with any of your favourite dishes in a separate bowl as you see here or else along side on the same plate. It goes well with curries, Asian dishes, and with a multitude of meats and vegetables. Enjoy!