How Much to Cook?

Quantity is important, of course, but regular rice eaters take it for granted that there is always plenty. Leftovers don’t matter because they will become tomorrow’s breakfast. If you don’t eat rice every day, and don’t care for it at breakfast, you will have to try to forecast your needs more accurately. Remember that rice absorbs a lot of water as it cooks: 450 g/1 lb/2 cups of uncooked rice will soak up at least 570 ml/1 pint/2½ cups of water. This would feed my family of four adults. We are moderate rice eaters; the same quantity would barely satisfy two hungry Indonesians, but it might be enough for eight English people who don’t eat rice often and therefore find it more filling.