I can never cook basmati well. Even when I`ve washed it. it ends up glutenous. That`s why I do American long grain. It`s harder to cock it up. Course, proper way is to steam it in a rice steamer like the chinese do.
Agreed Snags, but you should not have to rinse it before either. I never rinse basmati, just keep an eye on it and have never found it too starchy after cooking.
You can get a Schwartz pilau rice seasoning. If you chuck in a clove and a couple of cardamom pods you can make an ok pilau rice (better if you fry it with the spices after boiling)