Martha Stewart's Method for Perfect Stovetop Rice, by Martha Stewart on YouTube. 2 min 32 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 32 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Measure your rice into a fine mesh sieve or a bowl of cold water. Rinse it under cold running water, rubbing the grains gently, until the water runs mostly clear.
Drain the rice well and set it aside. Too much leftover water will change the ratio and make the rice gummy.
Put a saucepan on the stove over medium heat and add a knob of butter. Let it melt without browning.
Add the drained rice to the butter and stir for about a minute so each grain gets a light coating.
Pour in cold water, about one and a half to two parts water to one part rice, and add a pinch of salt.
Bring the pot to a boil, then turn the heat down low and put the lid on. Cook without stirring until the water is absorbed, roughly 15 to 16 minutes.
Take the pot off the heat and let it sit covered for a few minutes so the steam finishes the grains.
Fluff the rice with a fork, lifting from the bottom rather than stirring, then taste and add more salt if needed.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the lid on while the rice cooks and resist stirring, which makes the grains sticky.
Use a pot with a tight fitting lid so steam does not escape and dry out the rice.
If the rice is still firm when the water is gone, add a splash of water and cook a few minutes more on low heat.
Let the cooked rice rest off the heat before fluffing so the grains firm up.
Questions
Do I have to rinse the rice?
Yes, rinsing removes surface starch so the grains stay separate and fluffy. Skipping it tends to give sticky, clumpy rice.
What water to rice ratio should I use?
About one and a half to two cups of water for one cup of long grain white rice. Check your rice packet, since brands vary slightly.
Can I leave out the butter?
You can, but the butter adds flavor and helps keep the grains separate. A little oil works as a substitute.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
