Hey there!
We are Jay and Elle John, creators and recipe developers of The Perfect Rice!
My name is Elena, but many people call me Elle, as it is easier! I am Italian-Canadian, born in the Northeast of Italy.
My husband Jay is British-Indian, and while he grew up in Mumbai, his parents are from Kerala.
We have over 40 years of combined cooking experience, from his culinary school days at 17 to my start in a seaside restaurant at 16.
Our love for rice dishes, from Indian biryani to Italian risottos, made us investigate this great grain further. We soon realized that most countries enjoy it regularly, making it a staple worldwide!
Over the years, we traveled all over the world, from Mexico to Vietnam, and enjoyed so many delicacies that included rice that we had to start The Perfect Rice!
Here, you will find detailed articles about rice types [have you ever wondered what bomba rice is?], step-by-step instructions to ensure your rice is fluffy [check out our how to cook basmati rice article], to more complex recipes, like pilaf rice and arancini.
In every post, you will find tips and tricks from our own experience and research and many pictures taken in our little London kitchen or while enjoying a bowlful somewhere in the world!
You can be sure that here at The Perfect Rice, we will give you as much information, tips, and tricks as possible so that you can cook rice perfectly every single time.
🎯 What Are We Cooking Today?
From simple pulao to triple fried rice, we cook any type of rice and make it a feast! Discover Italian, Indian, Mexican, but also Chinese, Japanese, and African cuisine, amongst others.
⏲️ Beyond The Perfect Rice
We have been together since 2009 after meeting in a flatshare in London, and married on the beach in Northern Italy, enjoying Indian jeera rice and Italian risotto allo scoglio [both were on our menu!].
While I won't leave home without my Kindle and my phone filled with classic rock and country music, Jay is a numbers person and loves Excel and research articles.
Our shared moments are filled with nature walks, cooking [and feeding anyone who will eat!], dreaming up vacations under the sun with as much history as possible, and choosing what to watch next on TV!
We are also the creators of Spice and Life!
🔎 How To Get Around The Perfect Rice
👩🏻🍳 Recipes
These are easily divided by course, rice type, country of origin, and cooking method, so it is easy to find what you are looking for. Whether you'd like to enjoy a bowl of rice pudding, Mexican fried rice, or a delicious risotto alla Milanese, you will get there with as few clicks as possible.
📖 Rice 101
Sometimes, you just need to know your grain a little more before purchasing it or cooking it. We cover all the different types of rice you can find, as well as substitutes. Look no further, we got you!
📝 How To
Here, we cover the basics of how to cook specific rice types by absorption or boiling.
These recipes are perfect if you are looking to create a side dish for your saucy main [boiled rice for your chili con carne] or need some rice for your layered biryani or egg fried rice.
Let's Cook Something Together!
We are so happy you are here. If you have any questions or comments, get in touch - we'd love to hear from you!
Elle & Jay