I am just a lurker here, however I had to respond to your question
regarding rice. I have a fool proof method, works every time and the
rice is really good. Use a qt. casserole dish, put 1 cup of rice in it,
add 2 1/2 c. water, 3 T. butter, 1 t. salt-----BAke at 350 for one hour.
W orks evertime for me, once I had to leave it in oven for an extra 5
min, until all water was gone.