How to Cook Fluffy Long-Grain Rice as a Side in a Pot

Cooking method

1. Step 1:

   

   How do you make long-grain rice as a side in a pot? Gather the ingredients. I used a cup of parboiled long-grain rice. Non-parboiled rice works too; just keep in mind that the cooking time will be shorter (follow the package directions). Rinse the rice well. The water I first covered the rice with for rinsing came out very cloudy.

2. Step 2:

   

   Tip the rice into a colander and rinse it very thoroughly right under a stream of cold water. Wash the rice through several changes of water. From time to time, drain the rinse water into a bowl through the colander and check how clear it is.

3. Step 3:

   

   Eventually, after the final rinse, the water should be almost clear. That means the starch (the main enemy of fluffy rice) has been washed out of it. Here's how my water looked.

4. Step 4:

   

   Bring 1.5 liters of water to a boil in a pot. As soon as it boils, add salt.

5. Step 5:

   

   Then add the washed rice. Very gently, so as not to damage the grains, stir the rice so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot.

6. Step 6:

   

   Boil about 1.5–2 liters of water in a kettle. You'll need it at the end of cooking. Cook the rice for about 20 minutes. As you go, taste a grain now and then to check it, so you don't overcook it. As soon as the rice reaches the doneness you want, drain it in a colander and rinse it again, this time with boiling water. Let the water drain.

7. Step 7:

   

   Put the rice back in the pot and add a knob of softened butter. Stir. You can also drizzle it with odorless sunflower oil. Delicious, fluffy rice for a side dish is ready!