It's not the same....

[meriad]

In my eternal quest to find cheaper food (so i have more money for going out and my wine LOL ) and after watching an old version of super scrimpers I decided to try a store own value brand basmati rice. Now I usually buy the store own brand as it is and it's perfectly fine, but the value brand.... not worth the money you're saving; it's really stodgy and gloopy compared to what it normally comes out like.

Oh well, thankfully it tastes just fine so it's not a total waste; it just doesn't look nice

[Diflower]

Did you rinse it before cooking meriad?
I bought some tesco value basmati when I was cooking all that fish and rice for Minnie, because when I went it was actually the cheapest option. Obviously it didn't matter for her, I was cooking it and the fish in the same pan, but I did use some for us. We nearly always have brown rice as we prefer it but for some meals white is nicer (I think it was chicken kiev ).
Anyroad, I rinsed it first in a sieve and then cooked it, and it was fine - not fantastic but certainly not gloopy or stodgy.

[Workingman]

Basmati is the only rice I buy, and it is usually the supermarket's own brand, and never, ever the easy cook version.

It needs to be rinsed in a sieve till the water runs clear, then it needs to be left for about 30 mins to dry.... then it needs to be pre-cooked in as little oil before cooking it in water. The water should just cover the rice by 1 or 1.5cm

Once it is comes to the boil, in a well covered pan, it must be turned to as low as possible, even going past the 'low' setting if possible, and left undisturbed for at least ten mins.

[meriad]

No, I didn't rinse it - I seldom do and it usually isn't a problem.

As for cooking it, I used to do it the 'normal' way in a pot, but last year I invested in one of these http://www.pamperedchef.com/our_product ... uctId=9805 and now always use that - I love it and the rice comes out perfect.

[Diflower]

Rice does vary, even different bags of the same make. Sometimes when it's rinsed the water will be clear, other times loads of starch comes off, so I do tend to always rinse it.
I don't have a thing like yours, but all the time we were at Bb's flat we cooked rice in the microwave, with a steamer wotsit, it works fine too