To prepare a simple boiled rice all you need is a medium-sized saucepan with a well fitting lid, a sieve, a fork, a teaspoon, and measuring cups. White rice is usually clean and does not need washing to remove dust or husk bits like brown rice does. This extra step rinses off excess starch and ensures that the cooked rice is not sticky.

The golden rule to cook rice is not to stir the rice once boiling. A second rule is to keep the lid or temperature will drop and the rice will clump. Stick to the first rule and ignore the second, a quick peek will not harm the cooking rice, and, how can you correct mistakes otherwise?

Microwave cooked rice - Follow step 1, then tip the rice, salt and water into a microwave-proof bowl -a Pyrex bowl is fine- with a lid that will allow steam to pass. Alternatively, cover the bowl tightly with microwavable film and pierce this three or four times with a sharp pointed knife. Cook on high for 5 minutes; then on defrost for 10-12 minutes. The rice will stay hot for up to 15 minutes if you keep it covered. I recommend this procedure only for white rice.

Oven cooked rice - Rice can be also cooked in the oven, which is good if the oven was already warm or you are cooking something else at the same time. Wash the rice as in step 1, then tip it into an oven pan. Pour over the boiling water with the salt. Stir, cover, and cook 40 minutes in the center of a medium-hot (350° F) oven. This method is only good for white rice as brown rice would take too long to cook.

Steamed rice - Have you wonder how Chinese prepare such a perfect rice? It is not a mystery. The rice is first blanched for 5 minutes, then steamed for 45 minutes. Steamed rice is never dry or overcooked. This method is good for white long rain rice, and if you cook more than 2 cups raw rice this way, the rice will not be evenly cooked.

Pressure cooker - Use only 1 1/4 cups of water. Place rice, water, and salt in the pressure cooker. Cook for 8 minutes. Cool down the pressure cooker under running water and open. Leave the rice for 10 minutes before serving.

Hot water or stock - Flavor and season the liquid. Take it the boil. Add the rice. Don't stir. Keep heat high until the liquid boils again. Cook for 5 minutes, reduce to low and cook for a further 10 to 15 minutes, depending on rice variety. Cover. Let it rest 5 minutes. Serve.

Brown rice - Is prepared much the same way, but it will need to cook, very slowly, for 45 minutes, and this you should not skip the washing step at all.

Keeping the rice warm - Transfer to a heat resistant bowl and fluff. Add butter, 1 or 2 tsp, and cover. Set over a pan half filled with hot water in the center of a very low oven (110° C - 235° F), and the rice will keep still perfect for 30 minutes maximum.

Rice for salads - Dress the rice when it is still warm. Let it cool down, pour into a bowl and cover. Keep in the freidge until needed. Don't dress the rice if you are planning to use a mold, it wouldn't stick together.