Basmati rice has a lovely aroma and taste.
Rice, an important part of the grains food group, is a good food choice if you are trying to reach or maintain a healthy weight. Brown rice and white basmati are two popular choices. White basmati rice can be mixed with cinnamon and raisins for a healthy breakfast that even kids will enjoy. Brown rice can be served with your favorite vegetables and meats for a filling and heart-healthy meal. However, people often mistake the cooking times for white basmati and brown rice because basmati can be white or brown. Thus, before making basmati rice, check the label to see if it is white or brown, then follow a few simple steps to achieve perfect rice every time.
Brown Rice
Brown rice has a slightly nutty flavor that most people, kids included, enjoy, while white rice has a lighter, sweeter flavor. Brown rice has a high-fiber, vitamin-rich bran coating left on during the hulling process; white rice has it removed, giving it a whiter, more polished look. Because of the outer bran coating on brown rice, a longer cooking time is needed for it.
Basmati Rice
Basmati rice is a very popular rice because of its pleasing taste and aroma when cooking. It is similar to freshly popped corn. True basmati rice is only grown in India and Pakistan, but many hybrids are available and grown in the U.S. today. Basmati rice can be white or brown depending on whether the bran is left on or removed when hulled.
Brown Rice Cooking Times
Brown rice can be added to a little shredded chicken or cold vegetables to make a filling and satisfying lunch on the go. Cooking brown rice requires at least 45 minutes, compared to 20 for white basmati. To cook brown rice add 1 cup brown rice, 2 1/4 cups water, 1 tsp. butter or olive oil (optional) and 1/2 tsp. salt to a 1 qt. (or larger) pot with a tight fitting lid. Bring to a simmer, stir once, cover tightly and cook on low for 45 to 55 minutes. Remove the lid once to stir after 45 minutes to see if the rice is tender and that all of the liquid is absorbed from the bottom of the pan. Other than that, do not stir the rice during cooking or it will turn out mushy.
Basmati Cooking Times
White basmati rice cooks in just 20 minutes.
To cook white basmati rice, add 1 cup white basmati rice, 2 cups water, 1 tsp. olive oil or butter (optional) and 1/2 tsp. salt to a 1 qt. (or larger) pot with a tight fitting lid. Bring to a simmer, stir once and cover tightly and cook on low for 18 to 20 minutes. You may check the rice at 18 minutes to see if it is tender and all the liquid is absorbed. If so, it is done. White basmati is usually perfectly done after 20 minutes, as opposed to 45 minutes for brown rice; so, be sure to set a timer and don't overcook your basmati. Do not remove the lid during cooking because it is the steam that actually cooks the rice and letting it out may affect the quality of the finished rice as well as the cooking time.
Tags: basmati rice, Brown rice, Cooking Times, rice white, white basmati