It's taken me AGES to find out a good way to cook rice. I've read how Delia, Oliver and others do it and ended up using my mother-in-laws recepie but just tweaked slightly.
Key with rice is in the preparation.
* Soak it in warm water (not boiling) for ½ hour before you plan to cook it – this softens it slightly.
* Drain and rinse well under running cold water for a minute
White rice:
1 cup rice (typically 4 generous servings)
2 cups boiling water
I add a bunch of spices to the water at this point, pick your own (not salt)
Put in a large saucepan with a lid (lid if you want fluffy rice, without if you want sticky rice)
Whack heat on full until it starts boiling then turn down until it’s simmering well and leave (do not stir!)
Typically this takes 10 minutes or whatever the packet suggests – do not let the pan go dry
Test the rice every minute or so after this until done to your taste
You know when the rice is done when you tilt the pan and the rice slowly slides down
Take pan off the heat and set aside - leave the rice in the pan for 10+ minutes with lid on, this will make the rice fluff up
Brown rice:
1 cup rice (typically 4 generous servings)
3 cups boiling water (and a splash)
I add a bunch of spices to the water at this point, pick your own (not salt)
Put in a large saucepan with a lid (lid if you want fluffy rice, without if you want sticky rice)
Whack heat on full until it starts boiling then turn down until it’s simmering well and leave (do not stir!)
Typically this takes 22-25 minutes – do not let the pan go dry
You may well have to add water, just do ¼ cup at most at a time
You know when the rice is done when you tilt the pan and the rice slowly slides down
Take pan off the heat and set aside - leave the rice in the pan for 10+ minutes with lid on, this will make the rice fluff up
Large saucepan is important too as it gives the rice room to expand.
I cook rice at least twice a week and keep ½ in the fridge each time and reheat next day (I know a lot don’t agree with reheating rice but it is fine if warmed through slowly, leading to a good heat). It’s much nicer the day after too! Don't leave it longer than a day though.
It does take a bit of time to get but I guarantee this works. I tend to add rice to a wok which has onions, cashews etc