We often go to restaurants for lunch or dinner and get enamored by the sight of a perfect Hyderabad biryani made with basmati rice. The taste is simply out of this world. The aroma of the perfect basmati rice completely overpowers us even before we let the rice touch our tongues. Basmati is a long-grain rice variety from India that goes to almost every country. Whether you are in the USA, Canada, Singapore, or Australia, the most popular rice on every menu in leading restaurants will always be Basmati rice. However, to fully enjoy the beauty of this world-famous rice, you should ideally cook basmati rice in rice cooker.
Basmati rice is known for its aroma, taste, and nutritional value. If you too want to eat basmati rice at home and wondering how to cook basmati rice in rice cooker, there is nothing to worry. It just takes 10-15 minutes. This article teaches you to cook perfect basmati rice like a pro.
Features of Basmati Rice
Before taking basmati rice cooking instructions, let's take a quick look at its health benefits:
- Basmati rice is low in fat, therefore, ideal for those trying to lose weight.
- It doesn't contain cholesterol; therefore, there is no risk to your heart.
- It has low sodium that will help maintain your blood pressure.
- It's low in sugar which makes it ideal for people with diabetes, as it has a glycemic index of 54.
- It has a good protein content that helps in maintaining muscle mass.
Nutrition Index
Serving size: 1 cup (158g)
- Ingredients Amount
- Calories 205
- Fat 0.4g
- Cholesterol 0mg
- Sodium 1.6mg
- Potassium 55mg
- Carbohydrates 45g
- Dietary Fibre 0.6g
- Sugars 0.1g
- Protein 4.3g
- Iron 11% of your daily requirement
- Calcium 1.2% of your daily requirement
What is the Best Way to Cook?
You can cook Basmati rice in three ways- in a pressure cooker, rice cooker, or an open-stove pot. Many people think cooking rice in a pressure cooker is the same as cooking it in a rice cooker. Unfortunately, that is not true. A rice cooker is a better choice for the following reasons:
- Since the rice cooker does not use the pressure cooking technique, the rice is smooth.
- The rice doesn't stick to the bottom because the cooker has a non-stick coating.
- It's specially made for rice cooking, unlike a pressure cooker.
- It runs on electricity, therefore, doesn't need a gas stove.
- It's easy to use because even an inexperienced cook can get the perfect rice.
How Australians Cook Basmati Rice in a Rice Cooker?
If you want perfectly cooked Basmati fluffy, light, separated, and delicious rice, you should use the same tricks Australians use while cooking. However, before even you follow Basmati rice cooking instructions, ensure that the rice you choose is authentic long-grain Basmati rice from India.
- Rinse before Cooking
Rinsing is an important step. Only a few people realize how crucial it's to cook the best Basmati rice. By rinsing, you eliminate the excess starch during the preparation stage. You should put rice in a bowl and pour enough water to cover it completely. Now, stir the rice gently with your hands and drain the water. Repeat the process twice or until the water begins to run clean.
- Soak before Cooking
Soaking the rice is another crucial step that we often forget. We usually lead a hectic life, and while cooking, we often skip the soaking process for rice. Soaking is essential because it fluffs the rice properly and keeps the grains separate. The soaking makes a lot of difference in the taste. Ideally, soak it for at least 30 minutes.
- Correct Quantity of Water
There are different methods to measure the correct proportion of rice to water. The famous Indian Chef Tarla Dalal recommends the ideal water-to-rice ratio to be 2:1, which is two cups of water for every cup of rice. It doesn't matter which method you use to measure the rice to water, and it is essential to get the correct water-to-rice ratio to prepare the best Basmati rice.
- Add Flavours
You can add a few strands of saffron, clove, salt, bay leaf, cardamom, or ghee to the rice to enhance its flavor.
- Allow It to Rest for Some time
You may be getting impatient to enjoy your Indian Basmati rice, but you may spoil it if you don't allow it to rest. After your rice is nicely boiled and cooked, leave it for 5-10 minutes and let it cool down. It may seem a straightforward step, but it might help the rice to get a good finish and let it absorb the steam properly. It will give excellent results because rice grains will stay separate without sticking.
You can serve the fluffy and delicious Basmati rice with your favorite curry! The next time you get an opportunity to cook the best Basmati rice, follow these simple Australian tricks to get excellent results every single time.
No comments yet