Jasmine Rice

Prep time: 2 minutes. Cook time: 12 to 15 minutes (depending on your rice cooker). Rest time: 10 minutes.

The five or less things: One cup / 2.5 dl of jasmine rice. Found near the other rice. It smells like popcorn when it cooks. That is not a mistake. That is jasmine rice being itself. It does not apologize for its aroma. One cup / 2.5 dl of water. Tap water is fine. The rice does not care. It already smells like popcorn. It has nothing to prove. It is not trying to impress you. It just wants to be cooked. A sprinkle of salt. Adds flavor. Do not skip it. Jasmine rice is already fragrant. Salt makes it taste like something. Without salt, it is just a fragrant cloud of nothing. Do not let that happen.

Directions

1. Rinse the rice in the inner pot. Add water, swirl, and pour it out. Repeat until the water is nearly clear. Jasmine rice is less starchy than other white rice. It rinses quickly. It is efficient. It is the overachiever of the rice family.
2. Add the measured water and salt. Give it one quick stir. That is all it needs. Over-stirring makes glue. Glue is not rice. Glue is for crafts. You are not making crafts.
3. Close the lid. Press the cook button. Jasmine rice cooks faster than regular white rice. Do not worry. It is not undercooked. It is just fast. It has places to be. It wants to be in your bowl.
4. When it beeps, leave the lid on for 10 minutes. This step matters. The rice will be perfect if you wait. Do not peek. Peeking lets steam escape. Escaped steam means uneven rice. Uneven rice is a tragedy. You are stronger than your curiosity.
5. Open the lid. Fluff with a fork. Jasmine rice is lighter than regular white rice. It is almost fluffy. It is the cloud of the rice world. It floats. It dreams. It makes you feel like you are eating something fancy. Even if you are wearing sweatpants.
6. Serve hot. Or keep it warm for later. It will wait for you. It is patient. Unlike you.

Note: Jasmine rice is perfect for Asian dishes. Pair it with stir fry, curries, or grilled meats. Swap the water for coconut milk for a tropical twist. Add a squeeze of lime for brightness. Add a handful of cilantro for freshness. The rice is your canvas. The flavors are your paint.