Name: Steamed Rice (Open Pot Method)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 Cup Raw Basmati Rice; 2 Cups Water; 1/4 tsp Salt (optional); 1 tsp Oil/Ghee (optional)

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Learn how to make basic fluffy (Basmati Rice) Steamed Rice or Plain/White Rice Recipe in Open Pot

Steamed rice is plain rice cooked in water without any spices and served with dal or any curry of your choice. It is one of the most basic food item cooked for meals in almost all Indian households and many other communities around the world.

It is a Gluten-free, Vegan friendly and light on stomach when consumed with any simple curry or dal. And, you don't need rice cooker to cook the perfect fluffy non-sticky rice.

If you are a first timer or someone who just moved away from home and struggling to get the perfect rice with each grain separate and not sticky rice just like your mom!!, then this is the post for you!!

About Steamed Rice

Rice is one of the main staple food in India and forms an integral part of the diet of many. A lot of people want rice almost every day for lunch. For them, a completely satisfying meal is the one that includes their favorite dal and rice!!

Rice is used in many ways in India, as the main dish with dals/lentils or curries, as a complete meal in form of pulao/pilaf or biryani, also it is used in making fermented batter in combination with lentils for making idli ,dosa (Indian Savory Pancakes).

Ways to Cook Steamed Rice

Steamed rice can be cooked on stove-top and in microwave. Many people are now using rice cookers and Instant Pot for cooking rice.

There are two ways in which we can cook rice on stove-top. One way is, cooking in boiling water and then straining the water when the rice is cooked. And the other is cooking rice covered in just enough water till the rice is soft and tender and rice has absorbed all the water.

I use Basmati Rice in my cooking. I am from the family of rice growers, my grandfather grew rice and we have always used this rice in cooking.

Basmati rice is long grain rice, takes less time to cook and has tender, fluffy texture.

Also, while choosing rice use aged rice which helps to dry the rice and keep the rice grains fluffy and separated.

Rinsing and Soaking Rice

Always wash and rinse rice 2-3 times in water. Washing removes any dirt if present and also rubbing rice takes out some of the extra starch. This results in cooked grains that are more separate.

Soak rice for at least 15-20 mins., which cuts down the cooking time.

Steamed rice on Stove-top with Open Pot Method

I cook rice by the first method- straining the left-over rice water, this had been followed by my grandparents, mom and now I too follow the same way of making rice.

To cook rice this way, take enough water In a big pan and keep it for boiling. When the water starts to boil, add the soaked rice to it and give it a light stir.

Cooking Rice using the rice water straining method

Let the rice cook in water on medium flame, don't stir the rice now. After 10 minutes check the rice grains. If rice is soft and tender check the grains by pressing between the thumb and index finger. This shows rice grains are cooked.

You can add an additional glass of cold water and switch of the flame. This way the cooking process of the grains stops and rice grains are not overcooked.

Drain the extra rice water using a strainer and leave rice covered in the strainer covered for 2-3 minutes. then lightly fluff the rice with a fork and transfer to the serving bowl or in a hot case/pot so that it remains hot till serving time.

My mom always used to add a dollop of ghee after transferring the rice to hot-case whenever she cooked for special occasions or for guests. That way as per her the rice grains stay apart, rice doesn't get sticky, ghee imparts a unique aroma to cooked rice!!

Wash and soak rice — Washed and soaked rice

Cooking rice using the second method where the water is absorbed in the cooking process

Take a pot, fill it with water, almost double the amount of rice, switch on the flame. So, if you are taking 1 cup rice, take 1½-2 cups of water. Keep the water to boil.

When the water just starts to boil, add rice to it and stir gently. When the steam starts forming, cover the pot and reduce the flame to lowest.

Cook covered for next 10-15 minutes. After 10 mins check for the doneness of rice by pressing 2-3 grains between index finger and thumb. Also once the rice is cooked and the water is absorbed there will be small holes on the surface of cooked rice.

When the water dries out or if the rice is cooked, take the pot off the flame. If the water dries up, let the rice stands for 2-3 minutes and then fluff it gently with a fork. Keep it covered for 5 minutes and serve hot or transfer to a hot case to keep it warm/hot until the serving time. If there is little water left in pan, spread the rice on the strainer and then transfer to the serving dish or hot case/pot.

Pro-tips to make Perfect Steamed Rice

For making the perfectly cooked rice using either of the ways with grains apart and not sticking to each other, it is very important to wash and rinse the rice properly and then soak it at least 15-30 mins before cooking it, this way the rice grains soak water and the outermost layer of rice which contains most of the starch is washed away making cooked rice less sticky and the cooking time is also reduced.

Also, take a big pan to cook rice. If the pan is smaller, rice grains won't have enough space when cooked and you will get sticky rice.

How to use leftover Rice Water(Optional)

Many times mom retained the water and used it for starching the cotton clothes. I am sure many of the moms from India followed the same way of starching the cotton shirts and saris. The left-over rice water is also known as Maandh in local dialect from where I belong. As a child, I often enjoyed warm Maandh with little salt and black pepper. Rice water is one of the most nourishing food that is first introduced to babies since rice is a very low allergen food. For someone who is suffering from dehydration, rice water is a life saver as it rich in carbohydrates and very light on stomach. You can also add the rice water for thickening soups instead of cornflour.

Ways to use Steamed Rice and Serving Suggestions

Steamed rice can be enjoyed with a wide variety of curries and dals/lentils.

Checkout these dal and curry recipes that you will love with Steamed Rice

Dal Tadka, Lehsuni Dal Palak, Langarwali Dal/Dal Amritsari, Lauki Chana Dal, Vegan Red Thai Curry, Basil Chilli Paneer, Vegetables in Hot Garlic Sauce, Dhaba Style Mah di Dal

Also make ahead steamed rice, store in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hrs or overnight and make a variety of delicious fried rice from it.

Some of the fried Rice recipes from blog where your can use steamed rice/leftover steamed rice

Chinese Veg. Fried Rice, Palak Paneer Fried Rice, Burnt Garlic Mushroom Fried Rice, Tawa Pulao, Lemon Rice

Make these soft and spongy idlis using leftover steamed rice Instant Idli with Cooked Rice

Steamed Rice (Open Pot Method)

Swati

Make basic fluffy (Basmati Rice) Steamed Rice or Plain/White Rice Recipe in Open Pot with Boiling Method or Absorption method.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Rice Soaking Time 20

Course Main

Cuisine Indian

Servings

Equipment

Pan
Bowl
Measuring Cups and Spoons

Ingredients

1 Cup Raw Basmati Rice
2 Cups Water
1/4 tsp Salt optional
1 tsp Oil/Ghee optional

Instructions

Prepare Rice

Take rice in a bowl and wash it 2-3 times
Soak it in enough water for about 15-20 mins.

Cook Rice with Boiling Method

When ready to cook, take a pan and add enough water, let the water boil.
When water comes to roaring boil, drain the water in which we soaked rice and add rice to water.
Let the rice cook for 10-12 mins.
After 10 minutes check the rice grains. If rice is soft and tender check the grains by pressing between the thumb and index finger. This shows rice grains are cooked.
You can add an additional glass of cold water and switch of the flame. This way the cooking process of the grains stops and rice grains are not overcooked.
Drain the extra rice water using a strainer and leave rice covered in the strainer covered for 2-3 minutes.
Then lightly fluff the rice with a fork and transfer to the serving bowl or in a hot case/pot so that it remains hot till serving time.

Cook rice with Absorption Method

Take a pan and add 2 cups water in it, keep the water to boil.
When the water just starts to boil, add rice to it and stir gently. When the steam starts forming, cover the pot and reduce the flame to lowest.
Give a gentle stir and then lower the flame, cover the pan and cook rice for about 10-15 mins or till the whole water is absorbed.
After 10 mins check for the doneness of rice by pressing 2-3 grains between index finger and thumb. Also once the rice is cooked and the water is absorbed there will be small holes on the surface of cooked rice.
When the water dries out or if the rice is cooked, take the pot off the flame. If the water dries up, let the rice stands for 2-3 minutes and then fluff it gently with a fork.
Keep it covered for 5 minutes and serve hot or transfer to a hot case to keep it warm/hot until the serving time.
If there is little water left in pan, spread the rice on the strainer and then transfer to the serving dish or hot case/pot.

Notes

The post covers How to Cook perfect Steamed Rice(Basmati Rice). You can use other rice varieties but the cooking time and amount of water used will slightly differ.