I remember as a child my grandmothers would always cook rice, but never with a rice cooker. The would throw a cup of rice with 1 1/2 -2 cups of water and let it boil in a pot. When i frist got married a rice cooker was one of the best wedding gifts I could receive, but over the years I find myself not using it but going to the old fashion way of boiling it in a pot.
So my question to you all is this… do you have a rice cooker that is just sitting in your cupboard wanting desperately to be used?
If so, here are a few other ideas from Real Simple that you can do with your oh so loving rice cooker!
– Steam Veggies. If you rice cooker came with a steam rack its the perfect way to throw in your cut up veggies, potatoes, and tofu. You can even add chicken and shrimp as well.
– Try a Hot One-Pot Breakfast. Instead of making oatmeal over the stove try it in your rice cooker for a change. Just add a little less water than you would in the pot, you can add some yummy dried fruit or chopped nuts too.
– Make risotto without stirring. Saute onions in butter in an open rice cooker, then add 1 part Arborio rice and 4 parts liquid. Try chicken stock or even wine. Cook for about 25 minutes in an on/off cooker or use the “slow” or “porridge” cycle if your machine has one. Mix in grated cheese and herbs at the end. Now this sounds YUMMY!
– Try Soups, Beans, even Stews. When trying this method make sure to add enough liquid and time so that it will allow your dish to simmer and not scorch the bottom of the cooker.
– Poach Fruit. Simmering chopped up fruit in wine, juice, or even syrup makes for a delicious healthy dessert.
Can you think of any other ideas?
Thanks for posting, I’ll definitely be subscribing to your blog.