Rinse 1 cup of rice and drain well. In a heavy saucepan with a lid, combine rice with 2 cups (500mL) of water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer, covered, until tender (about 30 minutes for medium- to long-grain white rice, 40 minutes for brown rice, 20 minutes for arborio or short-grain rice, and 1 hour for wild rice). Add saffron and cardamom to cooked rice, or stir in green olives and pimentos.

To reheat cooked rice, for each 1 cup (200 grams) of rice, add 2 Tbsp (30mL) liquid. Cover and heat four to five minutes on top of range or in oven. In a microwave oven, cook on High about 1 1/2 minutes per cup (200g).