No matter what your postcode is, you will have basmati rice near you. Don’t believe me, go to Save Co’s website and look at their amazing delivery options. They have nationwide and express delivery options.
I take my rice very seriously!
The grain of basmati rice is the game changer of curry dishes and biryani. Usually, I use Sela Rice for biryani, but for Handi and savoury pulao, I need my basmati rice.
How is Basmati Rice any Different?
Basmati Rice is different from your regular and Sela rice. I won’t bore you with the growth process and origins, but I am going to discuss how you can cook it well.
The distinct thing about basmati rice is that when cooked right, the grain becomes long and has a fluffier texture than normal rice. The taste is also very rich to enjoy with gravy and pulao.
When cooking the rice, you will also notice basmati rice has an amazing aroma. Also, if you soak the rice for precooking, you will get the long grain, nicest aroma, and delicious rice every time.
How to Cook Basmati Rice?
It is an expert chef recommendation, and I have tried it and seen the best results. One cup of basmati rice should be soaked in 1.5 cups of water. Wait, I must be making you dizzy; let’s start from the beginning.
Every rice requires its presoak. Mostly you will find the instructions on the bag of basmati rice because presoak time can vary from brand to brand. Generally, it would require 40 minutes to 60 minutes of soak time.
As mentioned earlier, the ratio of water to rice is very important. If there is a lot of water, rice grain will be waterlogged and end up being mushy. After the soak time, follow these steps to cook the basmati rice to perfection:
- In a saucepan, add some water.
- Bring the water to a boil on medium heat.
- When you see the bubbles forming in the water, add rice and cook for fifteen minutes with a lid on the pan. In the last five minutes bring the flame to medium-low.
- Remove from the stove, stir to fluff the rice, and serve.
Tips and Tricks to Cook the Best Basmati Rice
To cook basmati rice to perfection, the pot size and its lid matter. If the lid is loose fitting, the steam will not trap in the pot to cook rice well.
Also, if you cook rice in a smaller pan, the rice will not cook evenly. The bottom rice will be stickier, and the top layer may be al dente.
Peeking into the pot again and again will not let the steam stay trapped. Rice needs to cook well in the steam for the grain to be fluffy.
The cool-off period is important. After you have removed it from the stove, use a rubber paddle to fluff the rice and let it sit for another ten minutes before you serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Basmati Rice the same as white rice?
No, plain white rice and basmati rice are not the same. Basmati has longer grain, a nuttier flavour, and a very distinct aroma.
Can you batch-freeze the basmati rice?
Yes, you can freeze the batches in containers. When needed, pop them in the microwave and reheat them for two minutes to serve. If you feel the rice is a little dry, sprinkle very little water on the rice before you microwave it. They will be as new as freshly cooked.
Does Basmati rice have the same calories as plain white rice?
Yes, they have the same calories and fall in the category of carbs.
What is the best use of Basmati Rice?
Basmati rice tastes amazing with gravy and curry. In the Middle East, they are loved to devour, doused in curries. They are also a great option to cook biryani and pulao. If you don’t like sela rice for biryani, basmati is a great choice.
Basmati Rice Have All My Heart
Whenever I cook butter chicken, Afghani Pulao or Mutton Biryani – Basmati Rice is my top choice. The Basmati rice has its own taste and adds a lot to the dish – especially when cooking pulao.
My go-to place to get a fresh bag of Basmati rice is Save Co. They have a wide variety of rice and you get the brand of rice from back home here in the UK.
Explore their express delivery option and check out the items in the offer section to get all the goodies and snacks.
