How to Cook Golden Sella Basmati Rice Perfectly Every Time

Want to know how to cook golden sella basmati rice perfectly every single time? In this video, I’ll show you my foolproof method for achieving light, fluffy, and separate grains of rice using the simple ratio of 1 part rice to 2 parts water. 

Golden sella basmati is a special type of parboiled basmati rice that has become a favourite in Nigerian rice dishes like Jollof rice, fried rice, and party rice. It’s fragrant, holds its shape beautifully, and never turns mushy, making it the perfect choice for bold and saucy recipes. 

Nutritional Tip: Because golden sella is parboiled, it retains more fibre, B vitamins, and minerals than regular white rice. It also has a lower glycaemic index, making it a great option for balanced energy. 

Whether you’re cooking rice for everyday meals or preparing for a big celebration, this method will guarantee success. This step-by-step tutorial covers everything from soaking and rinsing to the exact cooking method that guarantees restaurant-quality results at home. Try it with your favourite stews, curries, or Nigerian jollof rice. You’ll see why golden sella basmati is such a game-changer!

Ingredients
2 cups golden sella basmati rice 

4 cups water 

Pinch of salt (optional)

Method

Step 1: Soak the Rice 

Place your rice in a large bowl and cover completely with cool water. Let it soak for exactly 30 minutes. This step is crucial as it allows the grains to absorb moisture, helping them cook evenly and preventing breakage.

Step 2: Rinse Until Clear

After soaking, drain the water and rinse the rice under cold running water. Keep rinsing and gently stirring with your hands until the water runs completely clear. This usually takes 4-5 rinses, sometimes more. Don't skip this step, as removing excess starch is what gives you those perfect, separate grains.

Step 3: Use the Perfect Ratio

Here's the ratio you need to remember: one part rice to two parts water. With 2 cups of rice, you'll use 4 cups of water. This ratio works every time with golden sella basmati.

Add your rinsed rice to a pot and pour in the water. Give it one gentle stir.

Step 4: Bring to Boil, Then Simmer

Bring the pot to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and set your timer for 15-20 minutes, depending on how tender you prefer your rice.

Important: Don't lift the lid while cooking. You need to trap all that steam for perfect results.

Step 5: Rest and Fluff

Turn off the heat and let the rice rest for 5 minutes with the lid on. Then remove the lid and gently fluff the grains with a fork. You should see perfect, separate, fluffy golden grains.

How to Lose 25kg (55lbs) Without Counting Calories | Nigerian Weight Loss Transformation

 

After a few years of not prioritising health, I finally locked in and cracked the code to sustainable weight loss. 

In 2025, I let go of 25kg (roughly 55lbs) while keeping up with my 2-year-old toddler. No restrictive diets, no endless gym sessions, no weight loss medications. Just simple, science-backed habits that actually fit into real life.

If you have a weight loss goals this year, I hope you can take away some valuable tips from my experience.

What I Didn't Do

I didn't spend long hours at the gym, give up carbs, count calories, weigh my food, or feel deprived. As a naturally laid-back person juggling motherhood, my approach had to be easy, flexible, and stress-free.

What Actually Worked

Nutrition First: I focused on nutrient-dense whole foods 80-90% of the time, drawing inspiration from the Nutritarian approach. The key? Nothing was off-limits. I simply saved treats for special occasions, and surprisingly, the more I ate minimally processed food, the less I craved anything highly processed.

Understanding My Hormones: This was a game-changer. Learning how to eat and move in sync with my menstrual cycle made everything feel more intuitive and supportive rather than restrictive.

Movement I Actually Enjoyed: Daily walks became my foundation. Even just 10 minutes made a difference. I occasionally added yoga and strength training, but consistency with simple movement won over intensity. I am now exploring more targeted resistance/strength training.

The Power of Sleep and Hydration: These basics made more impact than I ever realised.

The Real Secret? Patience and Progression

I didn't start everything at once. I began with nutrition, then gradually added movement, cycle-syncing, and intermittent fasting. Building habits in stages made the entire process feel effortless rather than overwhelming.

The result? Beyond the 25kg lost, I gained mental clarity, better sleep, improved health markers, and overall wellbeing that's actually sustainable for life.

Want the full breakdown? Watch the complete video where I dive deeper into each strategy, share specific resources that helped me, and explain why this approach works when diets fail.