Perfect Brown Rice in the Oven

I'll admit I make some of the worst rice you've ever eaten. It comes out too sticky and starchy or it doesn't cook through and turns out crunchy or it runs out of liquid and sticks and burns on the bottom of the pot. I know the directions say you should cover it and not stir it but I worry that it will stick so I take the lid off and then the steam escapes and the liquid all evaporates too fast and I can't seem to get the stove temperature right so if I leave the lid on tight the water boils over... it's really just a horrible mess.

I saw this on Pinterest, "Perfect Oven-Baked Rice" so how could I pass it up? I needed the help. From the first time I tried this I have to say that "perfect" is absolutely correct! The rice isn't gummy or sticky, it's fluffy and almost dry but in a good way. Every drop of the water is absorbed and none escapes from the foil wrapping so there's nothing crunchy and nothing burned. I love this rice!

Oven-baked rice takes twice as long to cook as stove-top rice so plan accordingly, but it makes the perfect side with stir fry or pork chops or chicken and it goes well in casseroles. Best of all it makes a wonderfully satisfying snack when mixed with a little shredded cheese. Next time you need some rice try this method. You'll never look back.

Perfect Oven-Baked Rice

Source: Our Best Bites

1 1/2 cups brown rice
2 1/3 cups water
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp oil or butter, optional

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and spray an 8x8 baking dish with vegetable oil spray.

Pour the rice into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the salt evenly over the top. Heat the water either on the stove or in the microwave until just boiling. Pour the water over the rice.

Cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.

Remove the rice from the oven and fluff with a fork then cover with a clean kitchen towel and let sit for 5 minutes. Remove the towel and let sit uncovered for 5 more minutes.

Serve it warm as a side or use it in a recipe. I transferred mine to a storage container and stuck it in the fridge for snacks.