Basmati Rice is one of the most common Rice varieties that is used in Indian Cooking. The aroma that wafts through when you open the Biryani or Pulao pot is somethig magical. There are so many brands of Basmati available in India and outside India too.
After years of cooking with various brands I can safely say India Gate, Kohinoor,Tilda, Aldi are the three best.. Have been loyal to these brands only (No I am not paid to say this). The result is always fluffy, rice that dont stick to each other and is worth every penny.
Kohinoor Basmati Rice
Tilda Basmati Rice 
Aldi’s Basmati Rice
There three different ways to cook Basmati Rice
- Draining method : This is the best way to get fluffy grainy textured rice
- Absorption Method : Read the pack and make sure if they have specified this method. In brands like Kohinoor they would have clearly mentioned that the Rice can be cooked in Absorption method too. However if you don’t find any such mention in your pack then kindly follow draining method that I have explained below
- Pressure cooker method : This is similar to cooking our normal Ponni Rice
Instructions
Draining Method
- In this recipe I have used Aldi's Rice. I generally make my vegetable base separately (be it Fried Rice, Pulao or Biryani) and then add the cooked Rice
- Soak 1 cup of Basmati Rice in water for 25 minutes
- Boil 4-5 cups of water in a vessel
- Once it reaches rolling boil state (நல்ல கொதிச்சு வர சமயம்) add rice
- Within 8-9 minutes you can see the rice almost getting cooking and it starts to slightly bubble up on the top
- Drain the water completely
- Spread the cooked Rice on an empty plate for few mins
- You can quickly prepare veggie base in the meantime (It could be Capsicum Rice, Lemon Rice, Pulao or Fried Rice)
- Now add the Rice, mix it gently ith a fork. Care should be taken for not breaking the rice too much
- For this rice i just sauteed veggies in salt,pepper powder, soy sauce and tomato chilli sauce. Then mixed it with Rice
Absorption Method
- Soak 1.5 cups of Basmati Rice (I have used Kohinoor Basmati Rice) in water 25 minutes. Coat the pan with little ghee or oil
- Boil 3 cups of water for 2-3 minutes. Add Basmati Rice Let it cook in open flame for about 8-9 minutes .You can see the rice almost cooked. Turn off the flame
- If you are planning to use the rice for கலந்த சாதம் then let it get cooled in the same pan for sometime
- Once the rice is cooled down you can add it to veggie mix or serve as it is
Pressure Cooker Method :
- Soak Rice for 25 minutes
- Drain water
- Add 2 cups of water for 1 cup of Rice
- Pressure cook for upto 3 whistles
- Let the pressure gets released. Open the pan and check if its cooked
Recipe Notes
- Cooking time for Basmati rice can vary from brand to brand. Kindly keep watching the rice getting cooked and adjust time accordingly
- Soaking the rice is really important. Atleast 25 minutes soak time is necessary. So if you are planning to cook lunch for lunchbox in the morning make sure you soak the rice, the moment you wake up
- Wash and rinse thoroughly before adding rice to boiling water
- Always boil water first and when it is in rolling boil stage add the Basmati Rice. If the water is not so hot the Basmati will take longer time to cook and end up being cloggy
- If you are planning to prepare variety rice make sure you cool down the rice atleast for few minutes before adding it to the veggie mix
Common Problems & ways to fix :
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If the rice is undercooked then heat 1/2 tsp oil or ghee in a pan, add the rice, sprinkle 1/4 cup of water and close the pan. Keep the temperature in medium. The rice will get cooked in 4-5 minutes. Open in between and check. Ensure the rice doesn't get burnt
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If the rice is slightly over cooked then spread the rice in a plate. Use a fork and try to separate them. Keep refrigerated for 30 minutes before adding it to Pulao base or variety rice base
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If the rice is too mushy then try to drain rice from the pot little early. Say if you waited 10 minutes last time make sure to check rice around 8 minutes this time. Always keep an eye on rice while it is cooking