Let’s face it, it’s hard to find a pantry staple as versatile and satisfying as rice. And with so many unique and delicious varieties to choose from, the sky’s the limit when cooking rice. Nevertheless, achieving perfectly cooked rice every time can be tricky, particularly on busy weekdays. That’s where investing in a rice cooker may come in handy. Convenient and efficient, rice cookers make the process of cooking rice a whole lot easier. That’s why Carolina® Rice is here to tell you all about how rice cookers work, and with a bunch of delicious recipes thrown in for luck! So, without further ado, let’s delve into the world of the rice cooker.
How to use a rice cooker
First off, let’s start with the basics. Rice is a relatively simple ingredient to prepare, all you need is water and heat. Bring the water to the boil, add the rice and cook until it’s soft in texture and ready to eat. Piece of cake, right? Nevertheless, the process of cooking rice isn’t always as straightforward as it may seem. Miscalculating the rice-to-water ratio or boiling it for just a tad too long can result in rice sticking to the bottom of the pot or coming out mushy. Let’s face it, in busy homes when you’ve got a lot of plates spinning at the same time, these things can happen. However, one way to make sure your rice comes out perfect every time is to stick it in the rice cooker. Rice cookers work by controlling all the conditions of the cooking process, helping to ensure your grains are cooked evenly throughout. After all, sometimes it’s nice to have one less thing to worry about when preparing meals for your family.
Benefits of Using a Rice Cooker
Although cooking rice on a stovetop is a perfectly acceptable way to prepare rice, it’s not without its risks. Regulating temperature can be tricky, depending on the stovetop you’re using. Rice cookers eliminate the uncertainty by strictly gauging the temperature throughout the cooking process and regulating the cook time accordingly. Whereas rice on a stovetop requires monitoring, the easy settings of a rice cooker free you up to focus on the other components of the meal you’re cooking.
Cooking Times of Rice in a Rice Cooker
Rice cookers don’t operate strictly per cooking time of ingredients. Instead, they operate by monitoring the temperature and steam level throughout. The rice-to-water ratio will vary depending on the variety of rice you’re cooking. That means you can follow the same ratios that you would use when cooking rice on the stove.
Should you rinse rice before cooking it in a rice cooker?
The simple answer to this question is yes. Rice should always be rinsed to remove excess starch, regardless of how you plan to prepare it.
Difference between a Rice Cooker and Rice Steamer
The difference between a rice cooker and a rice steamer is that rice cookers use a combination of heat and steam to cook rice. Rice steamers, on the other hand, exclusively use steam. Steam cookers are commonly used in Asian cuisine to make soft, sticky rice. For example, the rice used to make sushi is often steam cooked.
Rice Cooker Recipes
Now that we’ve gained some insight into the benefits of using a rice cooker, let’s dive into some crowd pleasing rice cooker recipes for all the family.
Coconut Rice
To kick things off, here’s an easy recipe tailor-made for the rice cooker. Our Easy Coconut Rice is a refreshing and flavorful rice dish with a tropical twist. Perfect as a side or a light main, simply add the ingredients to the rice cooker and sit back and relax as it works its magic!
Mouthwatering Seafood and Rice Recipe
Looking to impress your fellow diners with something flavorful and pleasing to the eye? Try this Poke Bowl with Avocado and Tuna. Loaded with wholesome ingredients like fragrant Carolina® Basmati Rice avocado, tuna, sesame seeds, gherkins, and ginger, it’s a quick and easy meal that’s packed with nutrients.
Similarly, this Spicy Salmon Brown Rice Bowl is a great way to put your rice cooker to good use.
Rice Pudding Made Easy
If you enjoy making sweet and creamy rice pudding desserts for your family, using a rice cooker will cut your prep time in half. This Tres Leches Rice Pudding recipe puts a Latin American spin on a classic rice dessert. Flavored with vanilla and coconut milk, add some strawberries and mangos on top for an extra fruity kick.
Alternatively, if you’ve got a busy day ahead of you and want to prepare a batch of homemade snacks, using a rice cooker for these Puffed Rice Chocolate Bars will help speed up the process.
Have Fun Cooking
Cooking for the ones we love is one of life’s greatest pleasures. At Carolina® Rice, we believe that cooking is a great way to get creative. That’s why #playwithyourfood is our motto. Have fun in the kitchen, and be proud of your culinary creations. For more expert tips and irresistible new recipes, be sure to drop by our blog.
