STEP ONE: RINSE AND (MAYBE) SOAK
Rinse rice in a few changes of cold water. For most everyday meals, you can get good results without soaking your rice. If using older rice, soak it for about 30 minutes, which makes the grains less brittle and prone to breakage. Be sure to drain your rice thoroughly or you'll be using more water in cooking than you intended.
STEP TWO: A SIMPLE COOKING METHOD
The key to this method is figuring out the correct amount of water. As a general rule, use 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 cups of water per cup of long-grain white rice, but you may need to experiment a little to find the amount you like best. Brown rices require more water, while shorter-grain rices require less. Keep in mind that more water gives you softer, stickier rice—great for stir-fries. Less water results in firmer rice, a good style for rice salads. The other important element is a heavy-based pot (to prevent scorching on the bottom) with a tight-fitting lid that keeps the steam in. If your lid fits loosely, put a clean kitchen cloth between the lid and the pot.
STEP THREE: LET IT REST
After about 12 minutes, the liquid should be absorbed, and the rice al dente. If you served the rice now, you'd find the top layer drier and fluffier than the bottom, which can be very moist and fragile. Here's where you need patience: Let the rice sit off the heat, undisturbed with the lid on, for at least 5 minutes and for as long as 30. This lets the moisture redistribute, resulting in a more uniform texture, with the bottom layers as fluffy as the top.
Hope this helps!
