Basmati in an Aroma cooker, anyone else just use the White Rice setting?

[Thomas Martinez]

Was looking into the proper ways to cook basmati rice in an Aroma rice cooker so figured I’d throw this out there since there’s so much conflicting informations out there about the best way to cook it. Rinse the rice well and use a 1:2 ratio of rice to water. Cook on the White Rice program, which take approximately 50 minutes to cook the rice.
Basmatic rice usually requires a little less water than long grain rice (1:1.5 ratio). I’d assume that the rinsing of the rice is what does the bulk of the work here to reduce the starch in the rice to achieve the bestest results. Do you all use a 1:2 ratio for white rice programs or do you use a different program for basmati rice?

 

[Prehistoric Plunger]

1:2 is too much for basmati imo. I do 1:1.5 in my Aroma and it come out way better, individual grains, no mush.

 

[Fut]

yeah white rice setting is fine. Rinse till the water runs clear and you're good

 

[Aero Sumo Fortress]

Wait does the White Rice program actually do anything different than just boiling water? Like is there a sensor for when it’s done cooking or is it just a timer?

 

[Neo]

Honestly I gave up on rice cookers for basmati years ago. I use the pilaf method where I toast the rice in some ghee first then add hot water. Takes ~20 minutes and tastes 10x better than anything an Aroma will spit out. Rice cookers are for cooking short grain japonica type rice, that’s what they were designed for. Using them to cook basmati is like using a panini press to make a steak. It’ll work but you’re leaving so much off a table.

 

[Bright Bird]

1:1.75 for me. 1:2 is definately too wet if you rinse properly.

 

[Prehistoric Plunger]

1:1.75 for me. 1:2 is definately too wet if you rinse properly.

this. Rinse removes the surface starch so rice need less water if rinsed properly. People use the 1:2 ratio because they skip the rinse step.

 

[Brainy Bison]

i just dump it in and press the button lol works fine

 

[Aero Sumo Fortress]

Honestly I gave up on rice cookers for basmati years ago. I use the pilaf method where I toast the rice in some ghee first then add hot water. Takes ~20 minutes and tastes 10x better than anything an Aroma will spit out. Rice cookers are for cooking short grain japonica type rice…

I’ve seen conflicting information on how to bloom the rice in ghee. Should you toast it until it develops a nuttiness or just enough to coat the rice grain? Does this affect the amount of water that should be used in the recipe?

 

[Amused Albatross]

50 minutes is misleading as it includes the resting period. Cook time is ~25 minutes. Remaining period is for the rice cooker to keep the rice warm which is when the rice grains actually firm up. If you open the lid it’ll ruin the rice as it will loose the steam that hold the rice grains together.

 

[Neo]

I’ve seen conflicting information on how to bloom the rice in ghee. Should you toast it until it develops a nuttiness or just enough to coat the rice grain? Does this affect the amount of water that should be used in the recipe?

Toast rice in ghee until you get that nutty smell from ~2 to 3 minutes on medium heat. I use 1:1.5 ratio as the ghee helps coat the rice grains. Though this is stovetop not an Aroma rice cooker.

 

[Fut]

50 minutes is misleading as it includes the resting period. Cook time is ~25 minutes. Remaining period is for the rice cooker to keep the rice warm which is when the rice grains actually firm up. If you open the lid it’ll ruin the rice as it will loose the steam that hold the ric…

The resting phase is correct. Most people ruin their rice when they open the lid when it switch to warm setting. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes after it’s finished cooking.

 

[3D Karate Jr]

y'all overthinking this. It's rice.

 

[Mysteri]

i have the 8 cup aroma and basmati on white rice setting at 1:2 is way too soggy. Dropped to 1:1.5 and its perfect every time.
dont know why aromas docs say otherwise

 

[Aero Sumo Fortress]

does anyone know if the newer Aromas with the digital panel actually have different programs or if Brown Rice vs White Rice is just a different timer? would love to know if its worth getting the fancier model

 

[Exquisite Be]

Tilda or Daawat? Brand of basmati matter more than people think. Some of the cheaper stuff out there need more water because their grains are not aged properly. Aged basmati (the good stuff) drink less water.

 

[Bright Bird]

Tilda or Daawat? Brand of basmati matter more than people think. Some of the cheaper stuff out there need more water because their grains are not aged properly. Aged basmati (the good stuff) drink less water.

^ this. Some of the cheaper rice (at grocery stores) is only 6 months aged at best. Good indian grocers basmati is 1-2 years aged

 

[Amused Albatross]

does anyone know if the newer Aromas with the digital panel actually have different programs or if Brown Rice vs White Rice is just a different timer? would love to know if its worth getting the fancier model

Brown rice mode on aroma actually does a longer soak with slightly lower temp. White rice just heat to boiling point and maintains that temp. Delay is, obviously.

 

[Misty Mandrill]

loose the rice cooker and get a zojirushi. Life changing

 

[Neo]

loose the rice cooker and get a zojirushi. Life changing

Zojirushi electric rice cookers are overkill for basmati rice and still not as good as just plain using the stovetop to cook your rice. Get a heavy bottom pot for your stove instead.