Avoid These 6 Most Common Rice Cooking Mistakes
                     Avoid These 6 Most Common Rice Cooking Mistakes 
 
 
 
Cooking rice is easy - just wash em, boil em, watch em, and it's done. 
 
Cooking rice the wrong way is easy, but cooking them the right way is also easy. All you have to 
do is avoid the below-mentioned mistakes, and you'll end up with a flavourful bowl of rice. 
 
The 6 Most Common Rice Cooking Mistakes to Avoid 
 
1. Not Measuring the Rice and Water 
 
It is all about the 2:1 ratio: Two portions of water and one portion of rice. 
 
Usually, people don't use a measuring cup and just approximate the amount of rice and 
water. This can result in either a very sticky mixture of rice, or an uncooked one, which 
is why it is crucial to follow general rice recipes while cooking. The general rule about 
rice cooking is to use twice as much water as rice. So for instance, if you want to cook 
one cup of rice, put two cups of water and one sip worth of extra water just to be sure. 
 
 
 
2. Treating All Types of Rice the Same 
 
Cooking brown rice is different than cooking white or black rice. 
 
The most common rice cooking mistake is cooking all types of rice in the same way. 
Every kind of rice has a different cooking time. For instance, brown rice takes a longer 
time to cook as compared to white rice, because of the bran part present in the brown 
rice.  
 
Think of it like this - cooking a thin crust pizza takes less time as compared to cooking a 
regular pizza base, right? Similarly, cooking different types of rice requires different 
cooking techniques.  
 
3. Not Rinsing and/or Soaking Your Rice 
 
Most people don't rinse or soak rice before cooking them. Well, that's not the right way 
to go. Rinsing the rice is important so you can get rid of the dirt or any extra starch. In 
addition to rinsing, the rice must also be soaked. Why? Because soaking the rice before 
cooking gives your rice a less clumpy texture. 
 
There is one exception to this rule though- Don't do this for the risotto rice. Most rice 
recipes for risotto are based on the excess starch to give it that nice and creamy 
texture.  
 
4. Disturbing the rice While it Cooks 
 
If you are cooking basmati rice in a deep pan, the temptation to check on rice while 
cooking is considerably higher. So, it is recommended to cook rice in a pressure cooker, 
so once the lid is closed, you cannot re-open it.  
 
Every time you stir or lift the lid, you let the steam out, lowering the temperature of the 
pot. So, don't do it. You don't need to stir the rice every few minutes. That's the best 
part about rice cooking. 
 
5. Cooking Rice at the Wrong Temperature 
 
Everything tastes better when it is cooked at the right temperature; rice is no 
exception. 
 
If you have a gas burner, use the smallest one. Bring the mixture of rice and water to a 
boil, then pop the lid on your pot and turn down the heat to its lowest setting. Use a 
kitchen timer to ensure accurate time for rice cooking. Then go watch TV or do 
something else while you wait for the good part. 
 
Cooking rice at a high temperature can result in uneven cooking or burnt rice at the 
bottom of the pot. The outside of the grain might seem soft, but once you take a bite, 
you'll notice that the inside is still hard and raw. So, cook it on a low flame and make 
sure the timing is accurate. 
 
6. Not Seasoning Your Rice 
 
Not seasoning your rice - another common rice cooking mistake made by most people. 
Rice, like any other dish, tastes best when seasoned properly. If you don't season your 
rice while cooking, it will result in an uneven tasting dish when combined with a curry-
based dish like Rajma or Kadhi. 
 
Cooking Rice the Right Way! 
 
Cooking basmati rice or any other type of rice is easy. Just take care of the proportion of rice 
and water, season it with cumin, salt, and lemon (for a tangy twist), cook it on a slow flame for 
an appropriate amount of time (depending upon the type of rice), and you are all set.  
 
Now all you have to do is enjoy a bowl of hot and flavourful rice with your favourite Rajma or 
Cholle.