Step 1

Rinse 1 cup long-grain white rice in a fine-mesh sieve until the water runs clear (this may take up to a minute). Alternatively, you can rinse the rice in a bowl or pot with several changes of cold water, draining carefully between rinses, but we think the fine-mesh sieve method is the least annoying. Rinsing rice before you cook it is key—it washes away the starchy powder that would otherwise make the grains of rice clump up and stick together. Combine rice, ½ tsp. kosher salt, and 1¼ cups water in a medium saucepan.

Step 2

Give everything a gentle stir. Bring to a boil, then cover pot with a tight-fitting lid and reduce heat to low, aiming for the lowest possible flame. Cook rice, undisturbed—that means NOT opening the lid!—for 18 minutes.

Step 3

Remove pan from heat. Let stand at least 15 minutes or until ready to use. Uncover and fluff cooked rice with a fork before serving.