Cooking Basmati Rice on stove top

From http://www.vegetarian-cooking-recipes-tips.com/how-to-cook-basmati-rice.html

Cooking basmati rice over a stove top

Ingredients for 3 servings of basmati rice:

• basmati rice - 1 cup.
• Water - 1 3/4 cup.
• Salt (optional)- 1/4 tsp.

Preparation :

• Note : I found this recipe online, and it seems to work perfectly each time.  Specially for pulao.  1 cup of rice is not a huge amount and could get spread too thin if the pan is of a large diameter.  Also, watch for water starting to boil, and turn gas to low at once.  Further, you might need to add more water (1/2 cup or so) if it starts to look too dry.  Do not stir the contents...
• 
  
• Cooking Method

Use a heavy bottomed deep pan or pot which has a good lid. This will ensure that the rice will cook evenly. If you use a thin pot, the rice may not get cooked properly at the top while it will be done at the bottom.

1. In a medium sized heavy bottomed pan, add water, the washed and soaked rice, salt.
2. Bring to boil. Put a lid in such a way that a little steam can escape easily and reduce flame to lowest.
3. Let cook for 15 minutes.
4. Switch the stove off. Close the lid properly and let the pot sit without opening the lid for 10-15 minutes. The rice will be completely cooked by then. Lightly fluff it with a fork and serve hot with any curry or dal.

Tips for cooking rice

1. Care should be taken not to stir the rice vigoriously while it is cooking as that may break the grains.
2. Handle the rice carefully after the it is cooked completely. It will become mushy as the grains will break otherwise.

Read more:http://www.vegetarian-cooking-recipes-tips.com/how-to-cook-basmati-rice.html#ixzz25nZRK4eP