Tips for basmati rice

Rice is a fundamental part of Indian cuisine with it being served in most meals across the country.  Use these tips to master the art of cooking basmati rice. 

Basmati rice is a long-grain variety that when cooked, produces an aromatic flavour and delicate, light texture. 

Our premium-quality basmati rice is sourced from the fertile land of the Punjab provinces, milled to perfection using traditional techniques. 

Our Pilau Rice Mix features a unique aromatic blend of spices. Pilau Rice goes well with any of our Curry Packs, but adds a delicious contrast to savoury curries like the Bhuna or Jalfrezi. 

Tips for cooking rice

High-quality rice

Using high-quality rice is important as it directly affects the texture, aroma, flavour and cooking consistency of the dish. Poor quality rice can lead to a mushy texture and uneven cooking. Rice is a key component of any Indian meal, which is why we choose to use high-quality rice that creates the desired fluffy texture. 

Weighing rice 

We recommend 150g of uncooked rice for 2-3 servings and 300g for 4-6 servings. This typically creates a soft, tender white rice for long-grain varieties like basmati. 

Washing rice 

If you’re using Rafi’s Rice, we recommend washing the rice with a fine sieve. This is to get rid of any rice dust that has accumulated during the milling process. Contrary to some, we do not believe washing the rice has much effect on the stickiness of the finished dish. The starchy element is inherent in the grain. Basmati rice, by its nature, is a loose grain and some ‘stickiness’ is still desired so it can be eaten by hand. 

Do not remove the lid 

Rafi would use the absorption method for cooking rice, where all the water is absorbed by the rice. This is the same method that she taught her sons to use when making rice, and the method we still recommend today.  To retain all the moisture in the pan, the lid must remain on during cooking so the rice can cook thoroughly. Use a tight-fitting lid to trap in all the moisture.  Rafi would tell her sons, Kevin and Lee, stories of a rice god that would appear if they ever removed the lid - so they never risked it!

Leave the rice to rest 

Once cooked, take off the heat and leave to rest for 5 minutes with the lid on. This helps the steam to evenly distribute for a consistent texture. 

We’d love to hear if these tips have helped you in the kitchen. Let us know your feedback on our Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. We love to see your curry creations, so please send us your foodie photos across.