Making non-instant rice is very inexpensive, and takes only 20-25 minutes on my stove top which has electric burners. You need a pot with a tight fitting lid. All you do is add two cups of water for every cup of rice. One cup of rice makes about three cups of fluffy rice, or four small sized servings. I add about a teaspoon of oil, and some seasoning. I use Adobo or garlic salt. Cook on medium heat for about five minutes until it boils up, then reduce to low for another 15 - 20 minutes. Resist the urge to peak into the pot because this makes the rice gummy, so does over cooking it, so you have to experiment with your stove settings to get it just right.
You can add a lot of interesting spices at the beginning to make seasoned rice. I've added turmeric, curry, fresh garlic cloves, chicken stock in lieu of water, you name it. It makes a really nice inexpensive accompaniment to any meal.
If it does come out a little gummy, you can mix it in with some cooked seasoned ground meat. You can't tell it's gummy this way, and then add some cooked veggies for a stir fry type meal.
