Rice is the best when cooked perfectly, but more often than not, I hear of people burning it or their rice coming out all mushy. I mean, I've been there myself, until I found out how to cook the perfect pot of rice, and this is without using a rice cooker! But if you are looking to add a rice cooker to your cooking tools arsenal we'd recommend these three:

Rice Cooker, Slow Cooker, Steamer, Stewpot, Sauté All in One

Mini Rice Cooker Steamer with Removable Nonstick Pot

Duo Nova Pressure Cooker 7 in 1, Best for Beginners

Anyways, I am not just referring to white rice, but brown rice, cilantro-lime rice, coconut rice, saffron rice, and so on. Once you learn these secrets, you will never fail at making perfect rice again (well, unless you forget you're cooking it or something).

How to Cook the Perfect White Rice

Whether you decide to use all or a couple of these steps, they'll all help your rice in different ways.

1. Rinse your Rice

You want to rinse your rice until the water runs clear. This will ensure all the starchy powder that makes the rice clump up and stick together is rinsed.

2. 1 to 2 Ratio

Even though I have seen rice as for a 1 to 1.25 ratio, for most types of rice you'll always want to do a 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of water ratio.

3. Do Not Disturb

After you pour your rice into the water (or pour your water on the rice), you want to give it a gentle stir but that is it. Bring it all to a boil and cover the pot with a lid (that fits!), and you do not want to open the lid for like 15 minutes.

4. Let it Rest

When your rice is done, let it rest for at least 10 minutes before you fluff it.

Flavored Rice

If you follow the directions above (give or take the ratio at times), you'll pretty much be able to cook up any kind of rice; now you just need to learn what else to include. 

Cilantro Lime Rice

Cilantro Lime Rice is rather easy to make. All you do is you add lime zest to your rice before you boil it, and while it is cooking, you combine chopped cilantro and lime juice in a bowl, and mix it into your rice when it is done. That's it!

Saffron Rice

Saffron Rice is a little more complicated and can seem a little expensive due to the Saffron Threads but it so worth it. Remember, it is important to use good quality saffron threads for this recipe. Unfortunately, more often than not, the cheaper saffron threads are flavorless, and good saffron tends to run on the expensive side, but you do not need much to add a lot of flavor.

Ingredients

• 3 Chicken Stock
• 1/2 Cup Diced Onions
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1/2 Tsp Saffron Threads
• 2 Cups Thai Jasmine or Basmati Rice
• Salt to Taste

Directions

• Step 1
  Take half of your Saffron Threads and grind them in a mortar with a pestle until they have achieved a powdery consistency.
• Step 2
  Add the rest of your saffron threads to the powder but do not grind them. Instead you want to add 1/4 cup of hot water to the mix and let it sit for at least 5 minutes.
• Step 3
  While you wait, in a large pot, sauté your minced onions with some olive oil over medium heat. Let them caramelize, you do not want them to burn.
• Step 5
  After about 5 minutes, add your rinsed rice to the pot and let it all sauté for a minute or so before adding your saffron liquid and chicken stock. You want your mixture to reach a boil before covering it with a lid and letting it sit over a simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Step 6
  Don't forget to fluff it after you've let it rest off the fire for a couple minutes and...
• Step 7
  Enjoy :) 

Coconut Rice

Be careful with this rice, it might taste delicious but it has a lot of carbs. This recipe includes a 1 to 2 rice to liquid ratio, but instead of only using water, you use a mixture of water and coconut milk. You get your coconut milk can which usually hold 14 oz, and mix it with 1/2 Cup of Water to 2 Cups of Rice. Follow the rice instructions above and you should have some delicious coconut rice!

Turmeric Rice

Turmeric Rice might just become your new favorite rice. I am not even kidding, it is that good, and Turmeric has so many health qualities to it. Not to mention, the beautiful, vibrant yellow color that develops. Only thing is, the yellow color tends to stay on dishes, so be ready for that.

Ingredients

• 3 Chicken Stock
• 1/2 Cup Diced Onions
• 6 Garlic Cloves Minced
• 1 1/2 Tsp Turmeric
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 Tbsp Butter
• 1 Bay Leaf Dried
• 2 Cups Thai Jasmine or Basmati Rice
• Salt & Pepper to Taste

Directions

• Step 1
  You want to start by rinsing your rice, you always want to rinse your rice.
• Step 2
  In a medium sauce pan or pot over medium heat, add your olive oil and butter and begin to sauté your onions and garlic when the butter has melted. Do this until softened, almost caramelized. 
• Step 3
  Once your garlic and onions are soft, add your rice and turmeric, mix well, then add your broth and bay leaf.
• Step 5
  Like all rice recipes, bring it all to a boil, top the pan or pot with a lid, bring the heat down to a simmer and wait 15 to 20 minutes until it's done. 
• Step 6
  Don't forget to fluff your rice after you've let it rest off the fire for a couple minutes and...
• Step 7
  Enjoy :)