Diwali is on Sunday 8 November, and for many Wolverhampton families it is the biggest open house of the year. Relatives arrive on Saturday, neighbours call in on Sunday, and community events carry on through the week. When you are feeding 20, 30 or 50 people over a few days, a 20kg sack of basmati is usually the cheapest and simplest way to buy rice. Here is how far a sack goes and what it costs per plate.

How much rice do you need for a big gathering?

Allow about 75g of uncooked rice per adult when rice is served with curries and dals, and about 50g per child. For biryani as the main dish, allow 90g to 100g per adult.

  • 20 guests: about 1.5kg uncooked rice.
  • 30 guests: about 2.25kg uncooked rice.
  • 50 guests at a community meal: about 3.75kg uncooked rice.
  • A whole Diwali weekend of family meals plus visitors: 5kg to 8kg is common.

A 20kg sack covers all of that, with plenty left for the weeks after.

Amaara Basmati Rice 20kg: the cost per plate

Amaara Basmati Rice 20kg is £46.73 at Adomoo, about £2.34 a kilo. At 75g a serving, the sack gives roughly 266 servings, which works out at about 18p a plate. It is a long-grain basmati, suitable for plain rice, pilau, jeera rice and biryani.

How to store a 20kg sack

  • Keep the sack off the floor in a cool, dry place, away from the cooker and radiators.
  • Decant a week's worth at a time into a sealed tub with a lid, and keep the sack rolled and clipped shut.
  • Use a dry scoop every time, so no moisture gets into the rice.
  • Check the best-before date on the sack and use the oldest rice first.

Cooking rice for a crowd

  • Rinse. Wash in cold water two or three times until the water runs almost clear.
  • Soak. 20 to 30 minutes helps long grains cook evenly.
  • Use two pans. Two medium pans are easier to manage than one very full one, and you can keep one warm while the second finishes.
  • Rest. Leave the lid on for five to ten minutes after cooking, then fluff gently with a fork.
  • Follow the pack. Check the cooking instructions on the sack for water and timings.

Leftover rice

Cool leftover rice quickly, cover it and put it in the fridge within an hour. Eat it within a day and reheat it until it is piping hot all the way through. Only reheat rice once.

Free delivery in WV postcodes

Adomoo offers free delivery on orders over £100 in WV postcodes. A sack of rice plus your oil, lentils, spices, sweets and drinks for the Diwali weekend soon passes £100, and a heavy 20kg sack arrives at your door instead of in the car boot. New customers can use code WV10 for £10 off a first order over £50.

Shop Amaara Basmati Rice 20kg at Adomoo