Depends on the rice.

Basmati vs jasmine vs short grain vs wild rice, etc.

Each one requires different amount of water and cooking time to make it perfect.

Every asian that i've ever met used a rice cooker except my grandmother who used a cast iron pot that could fit a hog.

get a rice cooker.

rinse it out couple of times to get rid of bug parts, grit, dust, etc.

then fill up with water while you lay your hand on top. stop when your fingers are covered w water but not the main hand/palm area. It should be enough water to cook properly (this is for 2-3 cups of rice).

1) Did you rinse the rice? Too much starchy coating on the outside of the rice will lead to a mushier texture. Rinse the rice until the cool water runs clear (about 5 times).

2) Too much water.

3) Use a rice cooker.

Yes, less water, less stirring. I use 1.5 cups water to a cup of rice.

Microwave is also good.

But I tend to agree use slightly less water than instructed and do not stir (this is key). The only rice I ever stir is when making risotto.

Anonymous wrote:A $20 rice cooker will solve all your problems. So much better than making it on the stove, which I did for years; no mess, no mistakes.

Or learn to cook rice like a normal person.

Because you didn't use 10 minute boil-in-the-bag rice

A $20 rice cooker will solve all your problems. So much better than making it on the stove, which I did for years; no mess, no mistakes.

Once you bring the liquid and rice to a boil stir once, put lid on pot and reduce heat to simmer but make sure that it is simmering by observing steam coming from around lid. Do not open the lid until cooking time has elapsed per package instructions. Once cooking time has elapsed, stir rice once then put lid back on and let it continue to steam off the heating source for five minutes or so. It takes a few tries to get the knack of cooking rice.

I've started putting mine in the oven with 1¾ : 1 -put foil on and it steams perfectly.

agree with PP's too much water. I do 1 3/4 cup water to 1 cup rice. put the lid on and don't stir or touch it until it's done! the less you do the better it is.

Anonymous wrote:too much water.

+1

My husband makes perfect rice--doesn't use as much water as standard recipes call for, puts oil in the water, stirs only once in the beginning, cooks it on low heat for much longer than standard recipes dictate.

you didn't use a rice cooker

too much water.

I rarely cook rice - what did I do wrong? It was brown jasmine rice.