Step 1

Take 1.5 cups basmati rice (300 grams) in a bowl. You can use any amount of rice depending on the biryani recipe you are making.

Step 2

Begin to rinse the rice grains in running water. Rinse the rice very well with gentle swirling of your fingers in the bowl.

Step 3

The rice has to be rinsed till the water becomes clear, transparent and without starch.

Step 4

Then soak the rice in 1 cup water for 30 minutes. Soaking is essential, so do not skip this step.

Step 5

After 30 minutes strain the rice and keep aside.

Step 6

Take a deep bottomed pan. Add 5 cups water and heat the water on a high flame. To save time, I heat the water in an electric heater. Then add the water to the pan and place it on the stove top.

Step 7

When the water becomes hot, add all the spices and 1/2 tsp salt or as per taste.

Step 8

Spices to be added are - 1 tej patta, 3 green cardamoms, 3 cloves, 1 black cardamom, 1 inch cinnamon. Usually for most biryani recipes, the rice is cooked along with the spices. But if you do not have spices or do not want to add any spices, then just skip them.

Step 9

Bring the water to a rapid boil. Then add the rice. You can also add 1/2 to 1 tsp of oil or ghee at this step.

Step 10

Just gently stir with a spoon or fork, after you add the rice.

Step 11

Do not reduce the flame and continue to cook the rice without any lid.

Step 12

The rice has to be 75% or ¾th cooked. The grains should have a slight bite to them when cooked. The rice should not be fully cooked but almost cooked.

Step 13

Remove the pan from the stove top and immediately drain the rice in a colander. You can also rinse the rice gently with water so that the grains stop cooking. Gently fluff and keep aside.

Step 14

You can also remove and spread the rice on a large plate or tray.

Step 15

When the rice becomes warm or cools down, you can use it for layering in biryani.