Rice is a versatile side that complements meat and fish dishes to perfection, so taking some time to perfect the cooking technique can go a long way. Luckily, Jamie Oliver has shared his own method on his official website, which produces fluffy rice “every time” - and in as little as 14 minutes. To make four servings of basmati rice, begin by placing a large pot filled with salted water over high heat until it reaches a boil.
Next, rinse 300g of rice in a colander under cold running water for about a minute, or until the water runs clear. The chef highlighted that this step is crucial as it “will help stop the grains sticking together when cooked”. Once the water is boiling, add the rice.
Keep an eye on it—when you see the grains start to "dance around," boil them for about five to six minutes. After that, drain the rice using a metal colander. Pour about 2.
5cm of water back into the pot, return it to the heat, and bring it to a boil once more before reducing to a simmer. Cover the colander with foil or a lid and place it over the pot. Allow the rice to steam for eight to 10 minutes; this method “will help to finish it off, separating the grains without overcooking them”.
When it’s done, you can serve the rice right away. If you're not quite ready, simply keep the foil or lid on, and it should remain warm for about 20 minutes. Once you're comfortable with this basic technique, you can experiment with flavours by boiling it with fresh herbs, a cinnamon stick, c.