A rice cooker is a practical kitchen appliance that most people use to cook rice. But it can actually be used for much more than that. Here we go through four different dishes you can make in a rice cooker, which may inspire you to get even more out of yours. If you don't have a rice cooker yet, you can find it right here at ONYX Cookware.
1. Rice pudding in the rice cooker
A rice cooker is good for rice pudding because it provides even heat and saves you the constant stirring otherwise required when making traditional rice pudding on the hob.
All you need to do is add rice and milk to your rice cooker, set it, and it takes care of the rest. An added bonus is that you don't have to worry about the pudding burning on the bottom, which can often happen when you make it on the hob. Once the pudding is ready, you can even leave it in the rice cooker, which keeps it warm until you're ready to serve it.
Tip: If you prefer a thinner or thicker consistency, you can easily adjust the amount of milk you add. And if you want to make it extra delicious, you can add a little vanilla or cinnamon during cooking.
2. Baby food in the rice cooker
Making baby food in a rice cooker is both easy and gentle. The rice cooker is good for steaming vegetables and fruit, making it an ideal way to prepare baby food, as steaming preserves many of the important nutrients. For example, you can steam carrots, potatoes or apples, and once they are tender, they can easily be mashed to a soft consistency that is perfect for young children.
The advantage of using a rice cooker for baby food is that you can prepare several portions at once, and it is also a very easy method that doesn't require much attention.
Tip: Try combining different vegetables and fruits to vary the flavour and ensure your child gets a wide range of nutrients.
3. Soup in the rice cooker
A rice cooker can also be used to make soups. It ensures even cooking, and you don't have to keep an eye on the heat. For example, you can make a vegetable soup by adding chopped vegetables, stock and seasonings. Once the soup is ready, the rice cooker keeps it warm until you're ready to serve.
It's an easy, time-saving way to make dinner, especially if you want something that can cook on its own in the kitchen while you do other things.
Tip: Try a simple potato and leek soup or a classic tomato soup. Both are easy to make in the rice cooker, and you can easily adjust their flavour with different seasonings.
4. Porridge in the rice cooker
Porridge is a classic breakfast, and with a rice cooker you can easily make it without having to stir the pot. This is especially practical if you want to make a larger batch for the whole family, or if you prefer to make the porridge in the evening so it's ready for the next morning. Simply add oats, water or milk, and let the rice cooker do the work.
The advantage of making porridge in the rice cooker is that it keeps the porridge warm, so you can take your time eating or serve it throughout the morning.
Tip: Add a little fresh fruit, nuts or honey to vary the flavour and make breakfast a little more interesting.
Get more out of your rice cooker
As you can see, a rice cooker is far more versatile than you might think. Besides cooking perfect rice, you can also easily prepare rice pudding, baby food, soups and porridge – all with minimal effort. It's a simple way to get more out of your kitchenware and make everyday life a little easier.
So why not try something new the next time you use your rice cooker? You can find the rice cooker here.
