AIBU to think I'll never be able to...

[HelloBrass]

...cook rice?

No matter what I try, it comes out like mush. Very, very occasionally I may fluke it and it's edible but most of the time it's bloody awful. I hate wasting it, so I force down what is basically wallpaper paste.

Does anyone have any fail safe techniques??

Do you have an induction hob? I had to completely rethink rice cooking when I had one after years of cooking it without the slightest trouble.

Another vote for Uncle Ben's style sachets if you can't beat it. Otherwise my best tips are minimal stirring and prompt sieving at the 10 minute mark, then prompt serving.

My method

Big pan of salted water. Wait for it to boil and add rice.
Make sure there is more water than rice

Stir a couple of times and taste it 15 mins in.

Once you've got it cooked to how you like it, drain the rice in a colander and rinse through with a kettle of hot water.

Voila

Nice and easy rice
*
^^ this too*

Actually I put my rice in cold water, but other than that the method is the same.

Microwave rice. The one in the tub not the bag. It's delicious and life changing - I'll never buy dry rice agaj.

Again*

I do it in the microwave. Half a mug of rice per adult. Double the amount of boiling water, microwave for 11-12 mins. Stir halfway through.

Thanks all!

I'm going to try each and every method.

I do have an induction hob now, but tbh I was shit at cooking rice on a gas too.

I'd really like to master cooking it in a pan, but if all fails then down to Argos I'll go.

Wish me luck!

I can't cook white rice but I find brown rice much much more forgiving

Rinse rice. Equal amounts in cup of rice and water. Lid on once boiling, boil for 5-8 mins. Turn off/remove from heat. Put tea towel under lid. leave for 10 mins. Done.

Use a mug. One mug of rice to 1.2 mug of cold water. Use a saucepan with a lid but with a small air hole.
Bring to the boil, as soon as you see steam turn it down to medium, soon as you see steam again. Turn the heat off. DON'T TOUCH IT, MOVE IT AND ESPECIALLY DON'T TAKE OFF THE LID. Just leave it well alone.
20 mins later. Give it a stir and add salt to taste.
Perfect rice every single time.
I always get complimented on my rice.

Rinse the rice. One cup of rice to two cups of water. Microwave for 12 minutes. Comes out perfect every time.

1. Good quality basmati rice
2. 2 mugs boiling water in a pan, add 1 mug of rice, put lid on
3. Bring to boil then transfer to smallest hob on lowest heat
4. Cook without stirring for 15 minutes
5. Take off the heat and leave for 5 minutes

1 cup of rice to 2 cups of cold water. Microwave for 20 mins in a plastic bowl. Promise you, it works. Every single time.