How to cook perfect Basmati rice every time _ Restaurant quality & fluffy Basmati rice_ Honest Cooks

Cooking perfect Basmati rice that's fluffy and restaurant-quality every time requires attention to detail and the right technique. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieve that:

**Ingredients:**
- 1 cup of Basmati rice
- 2 cups of water
- Salt (optional)
- 1-2 tablespoons of oil or ghee (optional)

**Equipment:**
- Saucepan with a tight-fitting lid
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Fork

**Instructions:**

1. **Rinse the rice:** Place the Basmati rice in a fine-mesh strainer or a bowl. Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold running water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming too sticky.

2. **Soak the rice (optional):** Soaking the rice for about 30 minutes before cooking can help it cook more evenly and yield fluffier results. If you're short on time, you can skip this step.

3. **Measure the water:** Use a 1:2 ratio of rice to water. For 1 cup of rice, use 2 cups of water. Adjust the quantity accordingly if you're making more rice.

4. **Boil the water:** Place the measured water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil over high heat. If you want to add flavor, you can add a pinch of salt and a tablespoon of oil or ghee at this stage.

5. **Add the rice:** Once the water is boiling, add the rinsed and drained rice to the saucepan. Stir briefly to prevent sticking.

6. **Cook uncovered:** Let the rice cook in the boiling water uncovered. You can gently stir it once to ensure it doesn't stick to the bottom.

7. **Simmer and cover:** Once the water level is slightly below the level of the rice, reduce the