Buzz
Image Credit: Beatriz Da Costa1. Start Your Day with a Hot Breakfast.
For a warm and comforting breakfast, use your rice cooker to prepare oatmeal or other cereals. Add slightly less liquid than you would on the stovetop, and mix in some nuts or dried fruit if desired. The 'keep warm' setting will keep your meal ready to eat even if everyone rises at different times, preventing it from getting cold or mushy.
2. Steam your favorite veggies.
If your rice cooker has a steamer rack, use it to easily cook vegetables, tofu, potatoes, or even seafood like shrimp, fish fillets, or tender chicken breasts. Remove and serve it as a simple, one-pot meal.
3. Prepare risotto effortlessly, no stirring required.
Sauté onions in butter in your rice cooker, then add 1 part Arborio rice and 4 parts liquid (broth and wine work great). Let it cook for around 25 minutes using the on/off setting, or use the "slow" or "porridge" cycle if your model offers it. Finish by stirring in grated cheese and fresh herbs.
4. Slow-cook soups, beans, and stews.
Add enough liquid and give your rice cooker some time, and it can produce slow-cooked dishes without the risk of burning or overflowing—something that can happen with slow cookers. Try a comforting split-pea soup with ham, or create a hearty beef and vegetable stew with tomatoes, wine, and herbs for a satisfying dinner.
5. Poach fruit to perfection.
A rice cooker is ideal for making healthy fruit-based desserts, gently simmering fruits in juice, wine, or maple syrup. You can even make applesauce and other delicious fruit sauces with ease.
