[jyl]

Brown rice: put the uncooked rice in a deep pan, add oil (& a little butter if wish) and salt, and fry over high heat until browned and, yes, a nutty odor. Then cook the prepped rice normally. This allows the rice to cook in a reasonable time and have a softer texture plus some flavor. You're breaking down the tough husk (?) with heat plus some Maillard reaction mumbo jumbo. You can use the prepped rice for brown rice risotto.