Steaming Sona Masoori Rice: A Quick, Easy Guide

Sona masoori is a medium-grain rice variety that originates from India and is primarily cultivated in South India. It is a lightweight, fragrant rice with a delicate flavour and nutty aroma. It is known for its fluffy texture and is a popular choice for pilafs, biryanis, and other rice dishes.

To cook sona masoori steam rice, you will need:

- 1 cup of sona masoori rice

- 2-2.5 cups of water (depending on the desired consistency)

- A saucepan or rice cooker

- Salt to taste (optional)

1. Rinse the rice in cold water until the water runs clear.

2. Add the rice to the saucepan or rice cooker.

3. Add the water and salt (if using) to the saucepan or rice cooker.

4. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan or rice cooker.

5. Cook the rice for 15 minutes (stovetop) or 4-6 minutes (Instant Pot) or until all of the water has been absorbed.

6. Remove the saucepan or rice cooker from the heat and let the rice stand for 5 minutes, covered.

7. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve.

Rinsing the rice

When rinsing the rice, it is best to use cold water. Fill a bowl or your sink with cold water and add the rice. Use your hands to gently rub the rice grains together, and then let them soak for a few minutes. This will help to loosen any dirt or debris that may be stuck to the rice. After rinsing, be sure to drain the water thoroughly before adding the rice to your cooking pot or rice cooker.

If you are using an electric rice cooker, it is important to note that the inner pot should be removed before rinsing the rice. This will help to prevent any water from getting into the electrical components of the rice cooker. Once the rice has been rinsed and drained, it can be added back into the inner pot of the electric rice cooker, along with the appropriate amount of water.

For those who prefer a softer texture to their rice, it is recommended to rinse the uncooked rice grains more thoroughly. This will help to remove some of the excess starch, resulting in a softer and fluffier final product. Conversely, if you prefer your rice to have a little more bite, you can reduce the number of times you rinse the rice. However, it is still important to ensure that all dirt and impurities are removed by rinsing until the water runs clear.

In addition to removing dirt and impurities, rinsing the rice can also help to enhance its flavour. This is because the cold water can help to seal in the natural aroma and delicate flavour of the Sona Masoori rice. This is especially important if you plan to serve the rice plain, rather than as part of a dish like biryani or pilaf.

Rice-to-water ratio

The rice-to-water ratio depends on the cooking method and your personal preference for rice texture. For every cup of uncooked Sona Masoori rice, you will need 2 cups of water if using an Instant Pot and 2.5 cups of water if cooking on a stovetop. This will result in soft and fluffy rice.

If you prefer your rice to be very soft and mashy, you can use up to 3 cups of water for every cup of rice when cooking on a stovetop. For rice that is al dente, use 2 cups of water for every cup of rice in an Instant Pot.

When cooking Sona Masoori rice, it is important to rinse the rice thoroughly before adding water and cooking. This will remove any dirt and excess starch, ensuring the rice is fluffy and not sticky.

Cooking method

Sona Masoori is a medium-grain rice variety that originates from India and is primarily cultivated in South India. It is known for its delicate texture, nutty flavour, and pleasant aroma. It is available in both white and brown varieties and is a popular choice for pilafs, biryanis, and other rice dishes.

• Rinse the Rice: Place one cup of Sona Masoori rice in a bowl and rinse it thoroughly with water. Rub the rice with your fingers and drain the cloudy water. Repeat this process until the water runs clear. This ensures that the rice is free of dirt and excess starch, resulting in fluffy and non-sticky cooked rice.
• Prepare the Rice for Cooking: After rinsing and draining the rice, you have two main options for cooking it: using an Instant Pot or a stovetop method. For the Instant Pot method, simply dump the rice into the inner pot of the Instant Pot along with the measured water (see the next step). If you're using a stovetop, place the rinsed rice in a thick-bottomed pan or a rice cooker.
• Add Water and Cook: The amount of water you use will depend on your cooking method and personal preference for rice texture. For every cup of uncooked rice, use 2 cups of water for an Instant Pot and 2.5 cups of water for a stovetop. If you prefer softer rice, you can use up to 3 cups of water. Combine the rice and water, and if desired, add a bit of salt (usually about 1/4 teaspoon is enough). Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot or rice cooker.
• Simmer and Steam: For stovetop cooking, let the rice simmer on low heat for 15-17 minutes, or until the water is fully absorbed. For the Instant Pot method, set the timer for 12 minutes in Manual/Pressure Cook mode on HIGH, with the valve in a sealed position. If you prefer softer rice, you can increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
• Rest and Fluff: Once the rice is cooked, remove it from the heat and let it rest, covered, for about 10 minutes. This allows the rice to absorb any remaining water and become fluffy. Finally, fluff the rice with a fork before serving to separate the grains and ensure even cooking.

With these simple steps, you can enjoy perfectly cooked Sona Masoori rice, ready to be paired with delicious curries or enjoyed on its own!

Cooking time

The cooking time for Sona Masoori rice depends on the quantity of rice being cooked, the method of cooking, and the desired texture. The rice is typically cooked for between 4 and 15 minutes, with a few minutes of resting time after it is cooked.

Stovetop Method

For the stovetop method, the rice is typically cooked for 15 minutes on medium flame or low heat. This is the case for both the standard stovetop method and the pot-in-pot method. After the rice is cooked, it should be removed from the heat and allowed to rest, covered, for 5-10 minutes.

Instant Pot Method

For the Instant Pot method, the rice is typically cooked for 4-6 minutes on high pressure. If you are cooking a larger quantity of rice (more than 1.5 cups), it is recommended to cook the rice directly in the main inner pot of the Instant Pot. For smaller quantities (less than 1.5 cups), the pot-in-pot method is recommended to keep the inner pot clean and available for cooking something else.

Rice Cooker Method

For the rice cooker method, simply place the rice and water in the cooker, cover, turn it on, and cook. No specific cooking time is mentioned for this method, but the rice is likely to be cooked within 15 minutes, similar to the stovetop method.

Microwave Method

For the microwave method, the rice is cooked in a microwave-safe bowl on high for 10 minutes. The cover is then removed, and the rice is stirred. It is then cooked again, covered, on defrost for an additional 10 minutes. If the rice is too hard, more water can be added, and if it is too soft, less water can be used.

Serving suggestions

Sona Masoori is a medium-grain rice variety that originates from India and is primarily cultivated in South India. It is often used in pilafs, biryanis, and other rice dishes. It is also a great complement to South Indian curries. Here are some serving suggestions for Sona Masoori steam rice:

Plain Steamed Rice

Sona Masoori rice can be served plain with a variety of Indian curries, such as:

• South Indian curries
• Bhindi Kadhi (Yogurt Okra Stew)
• Pumpkin Chickpea Curry with Coconut Milk
• Bagara Baingan / Indian Eggplant Curry
• Black Eyed Peas Curry in an Instant Pot
• Gujarati Kadhi
• Egg Curry in an Instant Pot
• Goat Curry (Mutton Curry) in an Instant Pot
• Shrimp Coconut Curry / Bhapa Chingri in an Instant Pot

Uncooked Rice

You can also incorporate uncooked Sona Masoori rice into various recipes, such as:

• Cabbage Pulao / South Indian Cabbage Rice in an Instant Pot
• Tomato Rice in an Instant Pot
• Coconut Rice in an Instant Pot
• Ven Pongal (Khara Pongal) in an Instant Pot
• Vegetable Pulao in an Instant Pot
• Chana Dal Payasam in an Instant Pot

Fried Rice

Sona Masoori rice can be used to make fried rice, which can be served with:

• Dal
• Rajma
• Chole
• A stir fry
• Pulio-grah

Other Suggestions

Sona Masoori rice can also be served with ghee and salt. It can be used as a filling for burritos or tacos, or reheated in the microwave with a little butter or oil.

Frequently asked questions