I don't know if it's an Italian thing, but growing up in Argentina I learned to cook rice as you cook pasta: first boil the water, then put the rice in, cook as

I don't know if it's an Italian thing, but growing up in Argentina I learned to cook rice as you cook pasta: first boil the water, then put the rice in, cook as needed then strain. That's the same way I saw my friend cooking rice in England. In Brazil, on the other hand, people would put a tiny bit of water, put the rice in, turn the stove on and then wait until the rice is evaporated. The main difference I notice is that when cooked with plenty of water and added when the water is boiling the rice doesn't get sticky (unless you overcook it like crazy.) I prefer it loose and solid instead of sticky and mushy, but then, I grew up eating it that way.