How to cook tasty Rice

Master the Art of Cooking Rice with This Foolproof Recipe

Cooking rice might seem simple, but many people struggle to get it just right. Whether it turns out too sticky, too dry, or unevenly cooked, it can be frustrating when a staple food doesn’t come out as expected. Fortunately, this Ayurvedic approach to cooking rice ensures perfect, fluffy grains every time—without the guesswork.

Why Rice is an Ayurvedic Superfood

Rice is more than just a carbohydrate source—it’s one of the most balancing and easily digestible foods in Ayurveda. Here's why it’s a staple in Ayurvedic cooking:

  • Easy to Digest: White basmati rice, in particular, is light and gentle on the stomach, making it ideal for all doshas, especially Vata and Pitta.

  • Nourishing & Energizing: Rice provides sustained energy without being too heavy, making it an excellent base for meals.

  • Balances the Body: Rice can be cooling or warming depending on the preparation, helping to balance seasonal changes and individual constitutions.

  • Gluten-Free & Versatile: Naturally gluten-free, rice pairs well with a variety of spices, vegetables, and legumes to create complete and balanced meals.

This Recipe Always Works!

If you've ever struggled with mushy or undercooked rice, this method will change the way you cook it forever. You'll get light, fluffy, and perfectly cooked rice every time by following a few key steps—rinsing, soaking, and using the right water-to-rice ratio.

Try this foolproof Ayurvedic rice recipe and elevate your meals with a simple yet essential skill that makes all the difference.

Recipe

For one portion, you need the following:

  • 1 cup of rice

  • 2 cups of boiling water

  • 1 tbsp ghee

How to do it:

  • Wash the rice 2-3 times, and put it in a strainer to let the water drain.

  • Heat up the Ghee in a small saucepan. When hot, add the rice.

  • Sauté until translucent.

  • Add the boiling water.

  • Let it boil on medium heat until the rice is visible.

  • Put a lid on, turn the heat down to low and let the remaining water boil away.

  • Switch off the heat.

  • Let the rice rest for 10 min.

Enjoy with your favourite soup or dal.

Variations

Rice is such a versatile grain. You can add spices like cumin or coriander.

Add vegetables, nuts, and spices like cinnamon and cardamom to make pilau rice.

Add yoghurt to create a gentle dish if you need to cool down, aid digestion, or make a quick balanced meal, where rice offers carbohydrates and yoghurt, protein and fat.

Spices and Dosha Balance in Rice Dishes

In Ayurveda, spices are not just for flavour; they guide how food affects your body and mind. For example, cumin aids digestion and balances Vata, coriander cools and calms Pitta, and black pepper and ginger add warmth to lighten Kapha. Cardamom soothes the stomach and enhances sweetness, while clove and cinnamon bring warmth and grounding, especially during colder months. By choosing spices thoughtfully, your simple rice dish becomes a tailored support for your dosha and the season.

Katja Patel

Katja Patel is a yoga teacher, teacher mentor, and Ayurveda consultant with over 25 years of experience helping women come back into rhythm — in their bodies, their days, and their lives.

Her work focuses on restoring steadiness through daily rhythms that support digestion, sleep, energy, and the nervous system — rather than chasing quick fixes or wellness trends.

After navigating scoliosis and chronic pain herself, Katja understands what it means to live in a body that feels out of sync — and how yoga and Ayurveda, when taught simply and applied wisely, can rebuild resilience, confidence, and trust in the body again.

Through her courses, workshops, and writing, she helps women stop trying to “do everything right” and instead learn how to listen, adjust, and return the rhythms their body has been asking for all along.

You can begin with her free guide, My 5 Quick Ayurveda Fixes from Scattered to Steady, or listen to her podcast Rooted in the Seasons at zestforyoga.com.

https://www.zestforyoga.com/
Previous
Previous

Ojas Balls - A Perfect Snack for Nourishment and Vitality

Next
Next

Beetroot Palya: Flavourful Ayurvedic Beetroot Stir-Fry