Rice holds a permanent place on the Indian plate, and a pressure cooker makes it one of the quickest, easiest things to cook. The trouble starts when it isn't eaten right away. Freshly cooked rice is soft and flavourful, but as it cools its texture changes fast and the grains start turning hard. Rice like that not only looks and feels odd on the plate, its taste also fades. The good news is that a few small habits in the kitchen can keep rice soft for a much longer stretch.
Wash and soak the rice properly first
Keeping rice soft starts with how it's cleaned. Rinse the rice thoroughly in clean water so the extra starch washes away. After that, soak it in lukewarm water for 15 to 20 minutes. Soaking lets the grains absorb moisture, and once they're cooked, their texture turns out noticeably softer. It sounds like a minor step, but it makes a real difference to the final quality of the rice.
Pay attention to these details while cooking it in the cooker
Once the rice has soaked, add it to the cooker along with a small spoon of ghee or oil. It might sound like a trivial addition, but it gives the grains a better texture and stops them from sticking together as much. Along with this, use slightly more water than usual while cooking, so every grain cooks through properly and stays soft on the inside.
Don't rush to open the lid after the whistle
Turn off the gas as soon as the cooker whistles, but resist the urge to open the lid right away. Let the cooker sit closed for another 5 to 10 minutes. During this time, the steam trapped inside keeps cooking the rice further, leaving the grains softer, fluffier and better separated.
Another trick for even softer rice
Anyone who wants their rice even softer should avoid sealing the cooker completely right after adding the water. Leave the lid resting loosely for a few minutes to let some light steam build up first, then close the cooker fully and cook the rice as usual. This method too goes a long way in keeping the grains soft.
The right way to store and reheat rice
Never leave cooked rice uncovered. Keep it covered with a lid at all times, since this preserves its moisture and stops the grains from hardening quickly. During winter, there's no need to refrigerate rice immediately, it can be kept safely at room temperature. If the rice does turn cold, cover it and warm it gently before eating. Heating it with the lid on traps the steam inside, which softens the rice again and keeps its taste intact.
