How to Cook Rice in Three Easy Steps

Rice is a nutritious, diet-friendly grain that goes well with a number of dishes. Rice has enjoyed increasing popularity as a gluten-free grain, and can easily be cooked at home. Cooking rice is a simple process, and the rice can cook while you work on other parts of the meal. These instructions will teach you how to cook white long grain rice, which is the most common form of rice used in cooking.

1) Decide how much rice you will need.

Rice expands as it cooks, absorbing the cooking water and doubling in size. If you will need two cups of rice for your recipe, then you should use one cup of uncooked rice and two cups of water.

2) Gather your supplies.

One of the most marvelous things about rice is that it can take on the flavor of any liquid it is cooked in. Although rice is most commonly cooked in plain water with a little butter, you can also use other liquids to cook rice. Some families love cooking their rice in chicken broth. Other options could include beef broth or vegetable stock. It is also a good idea to add a little butter, which can help make the rice easier to serve and leave less sticking to the pot when the process is complete. For one cup of rice, use two cups of water or broth, and 2 tablespoons of butter. You'll also need a saucepan with a glass lid, so you can keep an eye on the rice as it cooks.

3) Cooking the rice.

Measure the rice, liquid, and butter and combine all in a saucepan. Bring the water to a boil, then immediately back the heat down to low, and cover the rice with the lid. It is especially important that you do not lift the lid while the rice is cooking, so that none of the steam escapes. After lowering the heat, set your timer for 20 minutes. At the end of 20 minutes remove the pot from the burner and let stand for 5 minutes, covered. Remove lid, fluff the rice with a fork, and serve!

Rice can take on the flavor of any liquid it is cooked in, making it a versatile staple