Basic brown rice is a staple for us. I try to stockpile it along with some healthy basics in the fridge. This simple recipe stores great and makes easy work of dinner at the end of a long day. Paired with my Basic Black Beans, a few easy toppings, and you can make a complete protein lunch or dinner in about 3 minutes flat.

Our family loves brown rice, and I use it in a variety of dishes–including as it’s pictured here: Totes basic and nearly naked, with butter, salt, and pepper. I took this photo just a few seconds before serving it to our son as a warm snack after he got home from school.

We prefer pressure cooked brown rice, because it retains an extra chewy, hearty, almost nutty flavor–and it cooks in less than half the time. But I also boil it just as I would our white rice when I am making something that might benefit from rice with a fluffier texture. Here are two ways to make it.

How to Make Perfect Brown Rice

Pressure cooking instructions:

• 3 cups short grain brown rice
• 4 cups water or broth
• Pinch of salt (don’t use if you use salted broth)
• Drizzle of olive oil (about 3 tablespoons)

Place rice in pressure cooker. Rinse several times. Drain. Add water or broth, pinch of salt, and drizzle of olive oil. Cover and seal. Bring up to pressure, turn heat to medium-low, and set timer for 22-23 minutes. Let the pressure come down naturally, then serve.

Stovetop boiling instructions:

• 2 cups short grain brown rice
• 3-1/2 cups water or broth
• Pinch of salt (don’t use if you use salted broth)
• Drizzle of olive oil (about 2 tablespoons)

Place rice in a large pot. Rinse several times. Drain. Add water or broth, pinch of salt, and drizzle of olive oil. Bring to a boil, cover with a tight-fitting lid, reduce heat to a low simmer, and boil for about 45 minutes, reducing heat further if it’s simmering too rapidly. Do not remove lid or stir. Remove from heat, keep covered an additional 10-15 minutes, and serve.

There are a ton of ways to dress up a basic bowl of rice. Here are some of my favorites:

• Butter, pepper, and a drizzle of soy sauce
• Soy sauce, chopped green onions, and a generous drizzle of toasted sesame oil; red pepper flakes and/or sriracha optional
• Toasted seeds or nuts
• Lemon-tahini sauce (favorite recipe coming soon)
• Grated cheese and plain yogurt, fresh herbs optional
• A dollop of hummus, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and corn chips or veggie slices
• Black beans, avocado, salsa, and grated cheese; corn or veggie chips optional
• Teriyaki sauce, thinly sliced carrots, steamed broccoli, red pepper flakes, and cilantro
• Sauteed fast with olive oil, sesame oil, green onions, and scrambled eggs
• Butter, honey, and a shake of cinnamon
• And more