Diwali is on Sunday 8 November. If your family is hosting this weekend, rice is usually at the centre of the table: plain basmati, pilau, biryani or jeera rice next to the curries and dals. The question every host asks is the same: how much do I need? Here is a simple guide, and what it costs when you buy a big bag.

How much basmati rice do you need per person?

A good rule of thumb is to allow about 75g of uncooked rice per adult when rice is part of a main meal, and about 50g per child. Rice roughly doubles to triples in weight once cooked, so 75g uncooked gives a generous plate.

  • Family meal for 6: about 450g uncooked rice.
  • Diwali dinner for 15: about 1.1kg uncooked rice.
  • Open house for 30 over the weekend: about 2.25kg uncooked rice.

If biryani is the main dish rather than a side, allow a little more, around 90g to 100g per adult.

TOHFA Basmati Rice 20kg: the cost per serving

TOHFA Basmati Rice 20kg is £53.53 at Adomoo, about £2.68 a kilo. At 75g a serving, a 20kg sack gives about 266 servings, which works out at roughly 20p a plate. One sack covers the Diwali dinner and the visitors, with plenty left in the cupboard for the weeks after.

Tips for cooking rice for a crowd

  • Rinse first. Wash the rice in cold water two or three times until the water runs almost clear. This removes surface starch and helps keep the grains separate.
  • Soak if you have time. Soaking for 20 to 30 minutes helps long grains cook evenly.
  • Cook in batches. Two medium pans are easier to manage than one very large one, and you can keep one batch warm while the other finishes.
  • Rest before serving. Leave the lid on for five to ten minutes after cooking, then fluff gently with a fork.
  • Follow the pack. Always check the cooking instructions on the bag for water and timings.

Leftover rice

If you cook more than you need, cool leftover rice quickly, cover it and put it in the fridge within an hour. Use it within a day and reheat it until it is piping hot all the way through. Only reheat rice once.

Free local delivery in Wolverhampton

Adomoo offers free delivery on orders over £100 in WV postcodes. Add your rice, oil, spices, sweets and drinks for the Diwali weekend to one order and the delivery is free. New customers can use code WV10 for £10 off a first order over £50.

Shop TOHFA Basmati Rice 20kg at Adomoo