Oven Method: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bring the water to a boil. In a 1½-quart casserole, combine the rice, boiling water, butter, and salt. Cover and bake 55 to 60 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all the liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and serve.

Microwave Method: Ina 2-quart microwave-safe dish, combine the rice, water, butter, and salt. Cover and microwave at full power (100 percent) for 5 minutes or until the water boils. Then microwave at medium-low power (30 percent) for 45 to 50 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve.

Rice cookers are useful if you frequently cook rice for a crowd. However, the texture of the rice is slightly different from rice cooked by other methods. Rice can also be cooked in a steamer, but the basic boiled rice method is easier and less likely to produce broken grains and sticky rice.