Ingredients
Rice and Seasoning
- 2-2/3 cups basmati rice (or long-grain white rice)
- 1-1/4 teaspoons salt
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 2 pieces (or oil as a substitute)
- Cooking spray, for greasing the dish
- 5-1/2 cups boiling water
Instructions
- Prepare: Preheat your oven to 450°F. Generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Also, boil more than 6 cups of water to use for the rice.
- Combine Ingredients: Place the rice, salt, and butter pieces into the greased baking dish. Pour in 5-1/2 cups of the boiling water over the rice mixture. Stir gently to mix everything evenly, then spread the rice out evenly in the dish.
- Bake: Cover the dish tightly with two layers of aluminum foil to trap steam and cook the rice evenly. Place the dish in the center of the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
- Rest: After baking, remove the dish from the oven but keep it covered. Let the rice rest for 15 minutes to absorb any remaining moisture and finish cooking gently.
- Fluff and Serve: Uncover the dish, fluff the rice delicately with a fork to separate the grains, and serve hot.
Notes
- Note 1: Basmati rice is preferred for its aroma and texture, but long-grain white rice will work as well.
- Note 2: Unsalted butter adds richness, but you can substitute with oil if preferred.
- Note 3: Using boiling water helps to speed up the cooking process and ensures even cooking of the rice.
- Note 4: Resting the rice after baking allows it to absorb excess moisture, resulting in fluffier rice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Generic/International
