Many people cook rice with just water, but professional chefs in hotels know a little secret that makes rice taste richer, fluffier, and more aromatic. By adding a few extra ingredients during cooking, you can turn plain rice into a dish that’s bursting with flavor — just like in fine dining restaurants.
The Secret Ingredients
- A Little Fat: Hotels often add a teaspoon of butter, ghee, or olive oil to the pot. This gives the rice a silky texture and prevents sticking.
- Aromatics: A small piece of bay leaf, cinnamon stick, or a few cardamom pods add a subtle fragrance.
- Salt at the Start: Adding salt while cooking ensures it’s absorbed evenly into every grain.
- Optional Broth: Instead of plain water, use vegetable or chicken broth for richer flavor.
Hotel-Style Fluffy Rice Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rice (washed and rinsed until water runs clear)
- 2 cups water or broth
- 1 teaspoon butter or olive oil
- 1 bay leaf (or 1 cinnamon stick)
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- In a pot, add the water or broth, butter, bay leaf, and salt. Bring to a boil.
- Add the washed rice and stir once.
- Reduce heat to low, cover with a tight lid, and cook for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Turn off the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
Why This Works
The fat coats the rice grains for a smooth texture, the aromatics give it a light fragrance, and cooking in broth infuses deep flavor.
This is the simple hotel trick that makes rice taste unforgettable — fluffy, fragrant, and far from plain.
