RICE - total absorption or excess water?

[SlightlyMadSpider]

Which do you prefer and why?

I have always gone for excess water cos thats what I have always done..

Soak your rice in a bowl of cold water fro 30 minutes or so.
Bring a pan of water to the boil, drain the soaked rice and chuck it in. Simmer for 6 minutes and it will be ready (basmati rice). Learned this way on an Indian cookery course. Always get compliments for my rice [smug emoticon] - light and fluffy, not at all sticky. I know this isn't what it says on any packets - but try it - it really works!

total absorption

but it only works with real basmati - if you buy shitey quick cook stuff it doesn't work

Family of six though.
I presume you and dh eat too?

God yes,steeer clear of shite easy cook stuff.
Oh,and buy a huge sack of rice in asian supermarket. Costs a fraction of what it would elsewhere.

I mean we are 4 (me, dp DTD1 DTD2 plus the 15m DD3!!!)

Just chuck a cupful in, pour in some water, flatten the rice out and chuck excess water out until the water comes to your first finger joint. Easy!!

Oh.

I thought you were Spidermama.
Gah,am confused these days.

So I guess I have to ditch my Uncle Benns Long Grain for some proper Basmati then?

Throw that shit out now!!
See,Dot is doing the same as me.

Sorry - tis SMS trying to scare F&Z!!!

Do you ever 'season'/flavour your rice with anything?

SMS - no I don't . But have a mate who cooks her rice in Marigold stock and absorbtion method - alway tastes great.

Me - excess plain water. Have not had a bad sticky experience in years.

Have you tried pilau rice?

most often just fry half a finely chopped onion till soft, then sling in rice and water and proceed as normal
Sometimes chuck a cinnamon stick and a few bashed cardamom pods in with the onion.

No don't do 'proper' pilau.

I do use pilau seasoning from Swartz, and I can't help thinking it would be more effective with absorption as it would absorb moe of the flavour.