Cilantro Lime Rice Delight

# What You'll Need:

01 - 1 cup long-grain white rice (basmati or jasmine)

02 - 2 cups water

03 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

05 - 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped

06 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (approximately 1 lime)

07 - 1 teaspoon lime zest

08 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional, for finishing)

01 - Rinse the rice under cold running water until the water runs clear.

02 - Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in the rice, 1 tablespoon butter, and salt.

03 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes until rice is tender and water is absorbed.

04 - Remove from heat and allow rice to rest, covered, for 5 minutes.

05 - Fluff the rice with a fork, then gently fold in chopped cilantro, lime juice, and lime zest.

06 - For enhanced richness, gently stir in the additional tablespoon of butter if desired.

07 - Serve the rice warm alongside your chosen dishes.

01 -

It transforms plain rice into something that tastes like you spent hours on it, even though you didn't.
The lime juice stays bright and fresh because it goes in after cooking, not before.
It pairs with almost anything and somehow makes the whole meal feel more intentional.

02 -

If you skip rinsing the rice, you'll end up with gluey rice that tastes muddy—I learned this the hard way at my first dinner party.
Adding the lime juice after cooking keeps it tasting fresh and bright instead of letting it cook off into something flat.
Don't stir the rice while it's simmering; lifting the lid lets steam escape and ruins the texture.

03 -

If your rice sticks to the bottom of the pan before the water is absorbed, your heat is too high—turn it down and add a splash more water if needed.
The combination of lime zest and juice is crucial; they work differently and together create a brightness that either alone misses.