Rinse 1 cup of rice and drain well. In a heavy saucepan with a lid, combine rice with 2 cups (500mL) of water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer, covered, until tender (about 30 minutes for medium- to long-grain white rice, 40 minutes for brown rice, 20 minutes for arborio or short-grain rice, and 1 hour for wild rice).

Add chopped basil and diced tomatoes to cooked rice, or stir in cashews, golden raisins, and curry powder or paste during the last five minutes of cooking time.

To reheat cooked rice, for each 1 cup (200 grams) of rice, add 2 Tbsp (30mL) liquid. Cover and heat four to five minutes on top of range or in oven. In a microwave oven, cook on High about 1 1/2 minutes per cup (200g).