Ingredients:
1 cup of rice
2 cups of water
A pinch of salt (optional)
1 teaspoon of oil or butter (optional)

Equipment:
A medium-sized pot with a lid
A stove or cooktop

Instructions:

1. Rinse the Rice
Place the rice in a fine-mesh strainer or a bowl.
Rinse it under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and helps prevent the rice from becoming too sticky.

2. Measure and Combine
In a medium-sized pot, combine 1 cup of rice with 2 cups of water.
Add a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of oil or butter if desired.

3. Boil
Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to high.
Bring the water to a boil.

4. Simmer
Once the water reaches a rolling boil, reduce the heat to low.
Cover the pot with a lid.

5. Cook
Let the rice simmer for about 18-20 minutes.
Avoid lifting the lid or stirring the rice during this time.

6. Rest
After 18-20 minutes, turn off the heat.
Let the pot sit, covered, for another 5 minutes. This allows the steam to finish cooking the rice and makes it fluffier.

7. Fluff

Remove the lid and use a fork to gently fluff the rice.
Your rice is now ready to serve! This basic method can be adjusted depending on the type of rice you're using (e.g., brown rice, jasmine rice, basmati rice) as cooking times and water ratios may vary slightly.