A quintessential part of the modern kitchen, a rice cooker is an essential pick that can help you in different ways. This versatile kitchen hero serves with the most interesting vibe. One that you can use to cook some tempting dishes other than the regular rice. However, because rice cookers are popular, you cannot use them like that. There are a few tips to remember. And you can figure out the rest with the right experiences and time.
1. How To Cook Rice In A Rice Cooker?
It takes 30 to 40 minutes for most rice cookers to cook a complete batch of rice. However, the cooking time can change when you add some extra ingredients or alter the amount of water included. Nonetheless, read through the comprehensive guide, use the same techniques, and an appropriately cooked batch of rice will be available before you in no time.
- Step 1: Rinse the rice
You need to start by rinsing a cup or two of rice under cool water. Clean them and transfer them to a strainer. Let the water get drained off completely. Now you are ready with the rice.
- Step 2: Add the rice to the cooker
Plug your rice cooker and turn up the appliance. Now add the rice to the cooker! Make sure it is slightly damp and not fully dry.
- Step 3: Add some water
Pour 1 ½ or 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice added to the cooker. When you add 1-1/2 cups of water, it will yield slightly grainier yields. While 2 cups offer a much stickier output. Remember, according to experts, there are 120,000 types of rice. Each requires different water proportions and cooking time.
- Step 4: Now, add salt
Add half a teaspoon of salt per 1 cup of rice. You can also add a pinch of salt, but not more than that.
- Step 5: Stir everything using the spatula
Once you have added all the base ingredients to the cooker, combine them with a spatula. It will hardly take a minute or two for this process to complete.
- Step 6: Close the lid of the rice cooker
Based on the type of rice you are using, select a particular setting. Most of the rice cookers come with pre-existing settings. Check the user manual for the right guide.
2. Important Tips To Make The Best Use Of Rice Cookers
You cannot put your rice cooker in a dishwasher and then again expect it to work properly. Well, there are more such tips to look forward to. In this regard, continue reading and get an adequate glimpse of them all.
- Most of the rice cookers have a removable basket. So, turn off the cooker and let the basket cool to room temperature. Now remove the basket and wash it with warm water under the tap. Use a non-abrasive cleaner and sponge to remove any hard stains or remains of the rice, as applicable.
- Remember not to mix different grain varieties in a cooker. Always mix short-grain brown rice with short-grain white rice. Do not mix the shorter ones with another long-grain rice. The experts explained that short-grain and long-grain rice have different cooking times and techniques. So mixing them will lead to an unevenly cooked output.
- Among several rice cookers, choose one with a keep warm function. This will help you with nicely cooked rice that can be used for the next four days. All you have to do is put the rice into the cooker and turn on the appliance. Keep the cooked rice in the cooker and reheat it under light pressure. The outcome will taste no less than a freshly cooked batch of rice.
- Remember to invest in a rice cooker that uses pressure to cook the rice. This is the best when you live at a higher altitude. As the pressure increases, the boiling temperature of the water. Thus resulting in completely cooked rice within less time than usual.
3. Items That You Can Cook On Rice Cookers Other Than Rice
Most of the rice cookers allow one to cook all varieties of rice. But you can also use these to cook other grains and some grain-based dishes.
- Get a rice cooker that comes with pre programmed cooking settings readily available. Take a look over the user manual and then cook the particulars adequately. For example, if you are cooking a kala chana and rajma-based dish in the cooker, make sure to soak the grains in water and then pour them into the appliance.
- Also, items like congee, risotto, porridge and dal do not require continuous intervention once all the ingredients are mixed. Thus, you can also plan to cook them over in your rice cooker.
Conclusion
So, what have you decided? Are you going to buy rice cooker anytime soon? Remember to abide by the steps mentioned here for the perfect outcome if you are a beginner. When you already have a rice cooker at home, incorporate the tips mentioned for adequate results.