A rice cooker is a great way to cook rice.Rice is kept warm after it's cooked.There is no need to watch the rice cooker since it comes with an automatic timer.This article will show you how to cook rice in a cooker so that you don't have to worry about burnt rice and ruined pots.If there are still problems, consult the guide.
Step 1: Put the rice into the pot with the measuring cup.
The rice must be placed directly in the cooker in order for a rice cooker to have aremovable bowl or pot.Most of the time, rice cooker comes with a measuring cup or scoop that can fit 1/3 cup.You can use an ordinary measuring cup.Depending on the variety, one cup of uncooked rice will produce anywhere from 1 1/2 cups to three cups of cooked rice.The expansion should be enough to prevent the rice cooker from spilling over.
Step 2: If necessary, rinse the rice.
Many people prefer to rinse rice in order to remove any pesticides, herbicides, or contaminants that may be present.The broken grains created by less modern milling practices need to be washed off to prevent the rice from clumping together.If you want to rinse the rice, put drinking water in the bowl or under the faucet.When the rice is fully submerged, add the water.If you want to catch fallen rice grains with your hand, drain water through a sieve or tip the bowl slowly.If the water is discolored or filled with dirt, rinse a second or third time until the new water looks clear.White rice sold in the US is required to be enriched with vitamins and minerals, but they are usually removed by washing.If your rice cooker has a non-stick bowl, you can wash the rice prior to cooking.Non-stick bowls are expensive.
Step 3: Measure the water.
Cold water is recommended in most rice cooker instructions.How much water you add depends on how moist you prefer the rice to be.There are graduated marks on the inside of a rice cooker to indicate how much rice and water should be added.If you prefer your rice to be more soft, use the suggested amounts, but keep in mind that you can always adjust these in the future.If you washed the rice before, use 1 to 1.Adding bay leaves to the rice cooker will enhance the flavor.
Step 4: If you want, soak the rice for thirty minutes.
Some people soak the rice to shorten the cooking time.It is possible that soaking will make the rice stickier.To cook rice at room temperature, use the same amount of water that was measured earlier to soak it.
Step 5: Add flavors.
The rice will absorb the flavors in the water before you start cooking.Many people like to add salt to their food.Another option is butter or oil.If you are making Indian style rice, you may want to add a bay leaf or a few cardamom seeds.
Step 6: Under the water level, push the rice grains off the sides.
To move rice around the pot back into the water, use a wooden or plastic utensil.During cooking, rice may burn above the water surface.If water or rice spills over the edge, wipe the outside of the pot with a cloth or rag.You don't need to stir the rice.This can result in clumpier or stickier rice.
Step 7: Check your cooker for special options.
The rice cooker has an on/off switch.Others have different settings for brown or white rice, as well as the ability to delay the cooking until a specified time period has passed.It's a good idea to figure out what the options do if you just go with the basic settings.
Step 8: The rice will be cooked in the cooker.
Place the pot of rice and water in the rice cooker if it has aremovable cooking pot.Plug the cooker in, then press the switch to turn it on.When the rice is done, the switch will click.The rice will be warmed until the cooker is unplugged.Don't open the lid to check the rice.The cooking process depends on the development of steam inside the pot, so letting steam escape by opening the lid may result in improper cooked rice.When the boiling point of the pot is212 degrees F or 100 degrees C, the rice cooker will not turn off until all the free water has evaporated.
Step 9: Before removing the lid, allow the rice to rest for 10 minutes.
It is automatic in some models and is recommended in rice cooker instructions.The amount of rice that sticks to the pot will be minimized if the rice cooker is unplugged or taken off of the heat.
Step 10: Prepare to serve.
The rice should be ready to eat once there is no water left.If you want to prevent the rice from over cooking, use a fork or other utensil to stir it after cooking.See if the rice isn't ready to eat.
Step 11: Next time, reduce the water levels if the rice is bad.
Next time you make rice, use less water.The rice should be cooked for a short period of time to give it less water to absorb.
Step 12: If the rice is not cooked, add more water and cook on the stove.
If the rice is too dry for your liking, move it to the stovetop with a small amount of water.To steam the rice, cook it for a few minutes.Adding it back to the rice cooker without enough water to cover it could cause a problem.Next time, just add a small amount of water to the rice cooker before you cook it.
Step 13: If the rice is frequently burned, remove it immediately after cooking.
The rice at the bottom and sides can get burned if the cooker is left in "warming" mode.As soon as you hear the "click" signifying it is done, remove the rice from the cooker.If you want to reduce the risk of food poisoning, you should still eat the rice before it cools, even if you can turn off the warming option completely.Other ingredients can burn if you cook them with rice.If you notice that some of the ingredients are burning, remove them and cook them separately.
Step 14: There is a use for overcooked rice.
If you use the right recipe, split grains can still be delicious.Add it to soups, baby food, or homemade meatballs to make it less noticeable.
Step 15: You should adjust for altitude.
Your rice may end up being undercooked if you live above 3,000 feet.If this happens, you should add an extra 1/2 cup of water per cup.The rice will take longer to cook because of the lower air pressure at high altitude.The longer the rice cooker cooks, the more water you add.If you can't find the correct amount of water, contact the manufacturer.The amount is dependent on altitude.
Step 16: If you have leftover water, deal with it.
The rice cooker model may need to be replaced if there is water left over after cooking.If the rice texture suits you, drain the water and serve it.When the water is used up, turn the cooker back on.
Step 17: Finished.