In a large cooking pot over high heat, bring 2 to 3 quarts of salted water to a boil.  Add the basmati rice to the water and boil for 7 minutes  The rice should be just tender.  Drain the basmati rice in a mesh strainer and rinse twice with cold water.

Using medium heat, melt the butter with the vegetable oil in a saucepan.  Remove half of the butter/oil combination, placing it in a bowl for later use.  Remove pan from heat.

Add rice and 2 tablespoons water to the vegetable oil mixture in the saucepan.  Drizzle the reserved butter/oil combination over the rice.

Fold a piece of cheesecloth in half and cover the rice with the cheesecloth.  Place a tight fitting lid on the saucepan and cook for 15 minutes.  Adjust the heat to medium high and cook until a beautiful golden crust has formed and the basmati rice is soft and tender.

Remove the rice from the heat and let sit, covered for 5 minutes.

Scrape the cooked basmati rice and golden crust from the bottom of the saucepan using a large flat wooden spoon.  Serve immediately.

Basmati Rice Recipe 2

• 2 cups basmati rice
• cold water

Basmati Rice Recipe Directions

Place rice in a saucepan and add water until level is approximately 1/2 inch above the rice.  Add salt if you like to taste.  Bring the basmati rice and water to a boil using high heat.  Stir the rice, and reduce heat to low.

Place a tight fitting lid on the saucepan and cook until the liquid is absorbed, and the rice is soft.  The cooking time is usually around 15 minutes.

Turn heat off, remove pan from burner and let sit for 4 minutes before serving.