Rice cooker
Helpful Tools
And even if you have no problem rustling up perfect rice in a saucepan, an electric rice cooker is still useful. Certainly most homes where rice is a staple food wouldn't be without one.
The main advantage is that a rice cooker happily gets on with cooking the rice, leaving you free to sort out the rest of the meal. It's also very useful when you're catering for a crowd.
Measuring liquids
The rice cooker steams rather than boils the rice, so you'll need to be careful about measuring the liquid. Either follow the manufacturer's instructions or use the 'finger' method: lay your index finger on top of the rice, and then add enough liquid to come level with the first joint. It's important to thoroughly wash the rice first, to remove any excess starch.
Once you've added the liquid, leave the rice to stand for ten minutes before you turn on the cooker. When the rice is ready, it automatically switches off. If you're not serving up immediately, the cooker will come on again at intervals, so the rice can stay warm for up to an hour.
As well as plain rice, these cookers can be used for delicious pilaf-style dishes with herbs and spices. Try experimenting with different liquids, such as stock or coconut milk instead of water.
Some models offer an extra bowl for steaming fish, meat or vegetables at the same time as cooking the rice.
To save on the washing up, choose a cooker with a non-stick, removable container. Check the manufacturer's instructions before putting it in the dishwasher.
The main advantage is that a rice cooker happily gets on with cooking the rice, leaving you free to sort out the rest of the meal. It's also very useful when you're catering for a crowd.
Measuring liquids
The rice cooker steams rather than boils the rice, so you'll need to be careful about measuring the liquid. Either follow the manufacturer's instructions or use the 'finger' method: lay your index finger on top of the rice, and then add enough liquid to come level with the first joint. It's important to thoroughly wash the rice first, to remove any excess starch.
Once you've added the liquid, leave the rice to stand for ten minutes before you turn on the cooker. When the rice is ready, it automatically switches off. If you're not serving up immediately, the cooker will come on again at intervals, so the rice can stay warm for up to an hour.
As well as plain rice, these cookers can be used for delicious pilaf-style dishes with herbs and spices. Try experimenting with different liquids, such as stock or coconut milk instead of water.
Some models offer an extra bowl for steaming fish, meat or vegetables at the same time as cooking the rice.
To save on the washing up, choose a cooker with a non-stick, removable container. Check the manufacturer's instructions before putting it in the dishwasher.
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I live in the UK and bought a Japanese Zojirushi rice cooker. I have the NS-TGQ10 for 220-240v power and I love it! Had it for 3 years and still working like a dream. No.1 in asia for cooking rice..you can't get better than Zojirushi.
At Cook Japan you can buy high performance rice cookers that come with a 24-hr timer and keep the rice warm for hours so its even easier to make perfect rice. The rice cookers can also be used as a slow cooker, to make soup, porridge, steam and lots more. Visit www.cookjapan.co.uk for more information