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I’ve had the same experience in which you tried cooking rice on the stovetop that always results in burnt, mushy, or undercooked rice full of compacted, dried-out grains. For those getting sick of seeing a pot of rice ruin their kitchen, maybe it is time to purchase a rice cooker used to cook rice.
So today we are going to talk about why a rice cooker just might be your new best friend in the kitchen. So does not of any difference if you are a busy professional, a home cook, or just someone looking to simplify their meals, rice cooker can really make a difference in your life.
Now, before we get into why you should be using a rice cooker, allow me to briefly explain what it is and how it works. A rice cooker is one such electric kitchen appliance, used for cooking rice, where the process of cooking rice is automated. Unlike traditional stovetop cooking that needs constant care and attention, a rice cooker does all the work on your behalf. Then you just add the rice and water, and push a button.
So, you can simply assemble the rice in the pot, switch on the rice-cooker, and it will prepare the rice perfectly, off itself once it is completed, and even keep the rice warm for you.
Rice cookers function by boiling the water within the cooking bowl and a sensor keeps track of the temperature. It makes the water evaporate, and after all the water has evaporated, the temperature increases, which causes the rice cooker to shut down. This also makes it literally impossible to over or burn your rice.
What Are The Advantages Of Using a Rice Cooker?
1.Consistency and Perfect Rice Every Time
The consistency it brings in making the rice is one of the most important reasons to use it. If you have ever fought to get your rice to the correct texture on the stove, a rice cooker takes the guessing part away. The exact heat and water-to-rice ratio that the cooker uses guarantees you easy, fluffy rice each and every time without the hassle of burnt or soggy rice to any degree whatsoever.
Most rice cookers have a setting for brown rice or other long-cooking varieties, so if you are cooking a brown rice or other longer cooking varieties, you will have an even easier time getting the texture right.
2.Convenience and Time-Saving
Whether we like it or not; we are all busy. When you are busy with work, family and other responsibilities, you cannot be expected to stand over a stove stirring your rice and watching it to see that it does not get burnt. Rice cookers save you time and work when it comes to making rice. Throw in your components, click a button, and it really works as a lot as it sounds like.
Rice cookers are also able to keep rice warm for several hours once cooked. They are great for those who have busy households or are meal prepping! Just set it and forget it, it will always cook the nice rice to fit your timing specifications.
3.Versatility: Not Just for Rice!
A rice cooker does not merely cook rice. Actually, they are surprisingly versatile and can serve several different purposes in the kitchen. Here are a few examples:
- Quinoa: A lot of rice cookers have a white rice button, which can actually be used for quinoa, making it an alternative to rice!
- Steaming: You can also steam if your rice cooker includes a steaming tray.
- Oatmeal: You can also prepare oatmeal in your rice cooker. Turns out, it is an effortless method to prepare a delicious breakfast.
- Soup: If you own a rice cooker that also has a slow-cook feature, you can even make soups and stews!
It versatility makes the rice cooker an excellent kitchen resource — ideal for one cook or a crowd.
4.Energy Efficiency
Rice cookers are far more energy-efficient than using a stove. It uses only the electricity between required to cook the rice and the whole cooking requirement used much less time than to boil water in stove. Which is an added bonus if you are particularly concerned about energy bills or just want to live a little greener.
Certain designs come with insulated bodies which help in maintaining the heat and keeping the rice warm without an extra unit being consumed.
5.Easy to Use and Clean
Ease of Use and Clean Up: These are HUGE benefits of a rice cooker. The stovetop methods are tedious, because you have to stand over the stove and stir the rice constantly, so unlike a rice cooker, they are more for advanced chefs. You can cook rice without fuss with only a few buttons pushed and a couple ingredients.
Cleaning is also a breeze. Rice cookers generally have non-stick inner pot, therefore clean up is a breeze. The best part is that many models even have removable inner lids that can be wiped down to prevent excess rice starch from accumulating.
6.Ideal for Beginners and Novice Cooks
For those who are new to cooking or you just might not be cooking inclined a rice cooker can be a real life saver. For instance, newer cooks may struggle to cook rice on the stove. Controlling the water-to-rice ratio, the temperature and ensuring that the rice doesn’t stick or burn. If you want perfectly cooked rice with no effort whatsoever: a rice cooker takes all of the guesswork out of it.
Similar to how rice cookers can be employed for cooking other grains, such as barley, farro, and couscous—a little nugget of knowledge that we recently discovered. This is a good opportunity to mess around with grains without having to worry about ruining them via overcooking/undercooking.
7.Great for Large Quantities
If you prepare rice for a group or frequently prepare large dishes, rice cookers are useful. Rice is very filling and most rice cookers can make a few cups of dry rice at a time, which will end up being quite a bit of rice after cooking. If you cook for your family often or close the doors for guests often, a rice cooker will prevent you time and energy because you may not need to concern yourself with putting together ample rice to consult with
Large quantity of rice cooker– Put this device up if you are cooking a bigger, maximum 10 cups of uncooked rice, in any other case be organized to cook dinner in a number of batches.
8.Healthier Cooking with Less Oil
A rice cooker steam rather than fried the rice so a rice cooker mainly do not needed oil or butter to get the rice cooked so Good cooking method. This is ideal if you are trying to eliminate some fats or calories from your diet – a rice cooker will allow you to create light and healthy recipes. Some rice cookers do come with additional functions like “healthy rice” function which alters the cooking process to make for a more nutritious product stepwise better taste and aroma.
9.Affordable and Long-Lasting
Believe it or not, rice cookers are relatively inexpensive; you can pick up a basic one for around $20–$30. Even their pricier models are quite affordable, when you think about the time and work they do for you in the kitchen Plus, they’re built to last.
A quality rice cooker will last you for many years with the right level of care, making it a good purchase to help fill out your kitchen.
10.Ideal for Busy Lifestyles
A rice cooker is a lifesaver for busy parents who don’t have time to prepare complicated meals. Begin in the morning, and enjoy when you get back home, rice that has been cooked properly. It could even be handy for prepping some veg for a super quick meal such as a stir-fry or curry.
In Japan, where rice is a staple food, rice cookers are commonly used by many people. Rice cookers are required around homes which constantly make use of rice as a major food in everyday meals.
Personal Experience: Why I Love My Rice Cooker
Since I spend much of the day in the kitchen, my rice cooker is definitely an appliance that I love! This will be a total life saver when it comes time to preparing meals, faster and easier! My rice cooker has gotten me through weeknight dinners and meal prep in bulk more times than I can count.
It’s an appliance that you never knew you needed until you tried it. Once you have used it a few times you will never want to cook rice on the stove again.
What can I cook in my rice cooker besides rice?
When you first glance at a rice cooker, you might think it seems like a pretty simple kitchen gadget, but it is so much more than that. Yes, its a rice cooker, but if you use your imagination you can get a lot more from it. The rice cooker is your tool, whichever your cooking experience & wise level — seasoned home chef or simply discovering ways to use home cooking appliances. 10 great recipes to make in your rice cooker to not simply cook rice!
10 Ways to Use Your Rice Cooker for More Than Just Rice
1.Steamed Vegetables
Steaming vegetables is one of the simplest, quickest, and healthiest things you can do with a rice cooker. A steaming tray or basket comes with many rice cookers which can be used to steam vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, or even dumplings. All you do is fill the bottom of the cooker with water, place your vegetables in the steaming tray, and set the timer. Within no time, your veggies will be all set to steam perfectly!
If you don’t have a steaming tray that came with your rice cooker, you can improvise with a heatproof bowl or a small mesh basket that sits in the pot directly.
2.Quinoa and Other Grains
Though rice is a staple in a lot of homes, there are more things you can make in your rice cooker than just white or brown rice. You are able to cook quinoa, barley, couscous, farro, amongst other grains effortlessly. Simply repeat exactly how you’d prepare rice — using the right ratio of water to grains, and your rice cooker does the rest.
A beautiful substitute for rice, quinoa is gluten-free and ready in 15 minutes in your rice cooker, a quick and healthy option.
3.Oatmeal and Porridge
Oatmeal is a breakfast staple, and preparing it in a rice cooker saves time so you don’t have to stand over the stove stirring. Simply add your oats, water (or milk), and any flavorings such as cinnamon, honey or fruit. Give it about 15 minutes in the rice cooker, and they out come warm, filling breakfast. This makes it perfect for busy mornings!
For a really creamy porridge, using milk or even a milk alternative (almond, oat, etc.) instead of water is yummy. Add a few handfuls dried fruit or nuts for a little crunch and flavor, too.
4.Rice Cooker Soup or Stew
Who knew a rice cooker could be a slow cooker? You can toss all of your favorite soup or stew ingredients in there and just let it simmer til all are nice and soft and tasty. A lot of rice cookers also have a “soup” or “slow cook” setting that is ideal for it. You can prepare your comfort foods (like chicken noodle soup or a hearty vegetable stew) with perfect ease.
For rice cookers with a “keep warm” setting, this is a perfect place to hold your soup at the proper temp. until you are ready for serving time.
5.Pancakes or waffles in the rice cooker
Who says your rice cooker can only cook savory foods? Make a large pancake or waffle in your rice cooker For pancake or waffle batter just pour in and cook until golden and set. It will also need to be a fully functional rice cooker, because the rice cooker can deliver a light, fluffy pancake and waffle texture that is difficult to recreate on the stovetop.
Feel free to put some berries or chocolate chips or banana slices in the batter before cooking it up for a bit of extra taste.
6.Rice Cooker “Baked” Cakes
That’s right! It is handy for cakes too — rice cookers can bake cakes. Rice cookers are the perfect time-saver and suitable for when you want to avoid heating the oven and they’re a good go-to when using a traditional oven isn’t really an option. You can use any simple cake mix or your favorite homemade recipe and bake in the rice cooker. What comes out is a moist, soft cake that is great as an afternoon or dessert.
To avoid batter sticking to the pot and to ensure that the batter is cooked evenly, grease the inner pot well before adding the batter.
7.Steamed Fish or Chicken
Other easy way to prepare protein source is steaming fish or chicken in rice cooker. Just put the fish or chicken on the steaming tray, fill the bottom of the cooker with water, and steam to your liking. You end up with tender, juicy fish or chicken with no added oil or fat. To add a little more flavor, you can season your fish with your favorite herbs or a splash of lemon juice.
Envelop the fish or chicken in parchment paper with herbs and spices to keep things moist and flavorful while cooking.
8.Rice Cooker Risotto
Risotto is notoriously labour-intensive when prepared in a pot on the stove, needing to be stirred frequently and watched closely. Rice cookers are low maintenance and the perfect way to make risotto. Simply stick in your rice, broth (or water) and any extras such as veggies or cheese and let the rice cooker handle it. And in about twenty minutes, you will enjoy luscious, creamy, perfectly cooked risotto, stirring not required.
When the risotto is almost ready, add a knob of butter and grated parmesan to taste for extra creaminess.
9.Rice Cooker Frittata or Omelet
Looking for a fast and simple breakfast or brunch solution? You can use a rice cooker to create a beautiful frittata or omelet. Just beat eggs with vegetables, cheese and seasonings, pour them into the rice cooker and cook until your eggs are set. You might also want to throw in some pre-cooked (microwavable) meat, like bacon or sausage for protein. It is basically a smaller, more portable oven that sits on your counter top!
Or add a little extra fun and pour the mixture into small heatproof bowls that fit into the rice cooker to make mini frittatas.
10.Rice Cooker “Boiled” Eggs
If you have ever had problems with your boiled eggs on the stovetop, a rice brewer is the way to make it easy. Fill the cooker with water, the eggs sit in a steaming tray, and cook for approximately 12–15 minutes. This will give you boiled eggs at the right texture for them which are easy to peel and can be used for salads, sandwiches or just have as a snack when done.
If you want them soft-boiled, cut back cooking time to about 8-10 minutes.
Conclusion: Why Do You Need a Rice Cooker
With its shift, practicality, adaptability, consistency, and health benefits, there are several reasons why using a rice cooker can make a difference to your approach to cooking. If you are a beginner cook, a busy working professional or just a person who likes steamed rice a rice cooker is a must-have appliance — it is an essential kitchen companion that will save you time, effort and a lot of frustration.
If you are fed up with scorched rice, rice that gets overcooked or are always hovering on the kitchen stove, you should join a rice cooker to your kitchen. I assure you, after you taste the convenience, the rice perfection that it brings to your meals, you will not feel like making rice another way.
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