I have to be honest I cheat when it comes to Rice, I use a couple of Aldi two minute microwave rice sachets (one basmati one pilau for the colour …. 39p each). I chop a couple of mushrooms, a half an onion and a small amount of mixed peppers very finely, and then I add soy and stir fry then for a couple of minutes with two whole eggs well beaten. The rice is restaurant quality and takes five minutes total. The secret of cooking in my opinion is research, imagination and a set of high quality knives.
We have actually ditched the rice on Indian and Chinese takeaways, 38p from Tesco is cheaper than 3.99 from the takeaway! Takes 2 mins to cook. In fact the Iceland 99p currys and sweet and sours are pretty good, very good in fact.