Just buy a new SSD to install Linux on. If you decide to switch back just plug the old one in.

I quite enjoy Nix flakes for this. Only certain languages have good support though (C, Rust, Haskell, OCaml, …).

Yes, I meant a bouillon or stock cube, sorry for the typo. Or you can use stock or a broth instead of water.

Stock is also pretty easy to make. You can buy a whole chicken and then throw the leftover carcass, skins, bones, with onions, carrots, celery and some herbs into a pot and simmer it for 2 hours.

You can also saute an onion before adding the rice and water, and add a bullion cube, to improve the flavor.