如何使用米饭to cook every type of rice

In Asian households, there’s a running joke that we cook rice before we even know what’s for dinner. If you’re like us, you can’t get enough of it—and you’ll never turn down an easier way to prepare it. For those who are trying out home-cooked meals to stay healthy during the quarantine, managing side dishes like rice can be daunting. Whilemeal kits subscription servicescan take some stress out of planning, multitasking in the kitchen and not burning at least one component can be a true feat.

Enter: therice cooker, a kitchen essential that cooks perfectly fluffy rice every time—you just can’t get the same results with the stovetop method. And since rice is a universal side dish that pairs well with pretty much all your favorite foods (think: chicken, beef, tofu, and more), mastering this appliance will make mealtime a whole lot easier.

What is a rice cooker?

Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

Think of your rice cooker as a rice specialist, compared to the multi-purpose Instant Pot with one million functions. We love how ourfavorite electric multicookercan handle the most exhausting (but rewarding) weeknight cooking tasks, but a decent rice cooker has a serious edge when it comes to steaming the fluffiest, most aromatic brown rice and quinoa—the Instant Pot simply can’t compete.

Like multicookers, rice cookers use tight seals to allow water boil in an enclosed space. They have built-in temperature gauges to alert you as soon as the rice is ready, typically once the cooker hits 212℉. Our favorite rice cooker, theZojirushi Neuro配备了“模糊逻辑”，这意味着炊具内部有一个计算机芯片，可以监视和调整烹饪参数，以防人类错误可能会影响结果，尤其是当首次用户添加太少或太多水时。模糊的逻辑功能在高级米粉中很受欢迎，因为它可以保证每次都具有相同的米份。

如何使用米饭

Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

不同类型的大米需要特定的水比率和烹饪时间。此外，您的米饭机可能还具有独特的功能，例如自动计时器，变暖控制措施或不同类型的米饭的设置。因此，我们建议在潜水之前阅读小工具手册。

However, to get you started, we've outlined the general steps for cookingmedium grain white ricebelow. Seriously, it's so easy you'll wonder why you waited so long to invest in a rice maker!

Step 1: Rinse rice

Pour 1 cup of rice into a sifter, then run it under cold water. Rinse the rice under water at least three times to remove dirt and excess starch, which prevents the rice from clumping together and getting gummy while cooking. The general rule is to rinse the rice until the water is clear. You'll only need torinse the ricebeforecooking。

Step 2: Combine rice and water

Open the top of your rice cooker and add the rice and 1-1/2 cups of water directly into the pot. Lightly shake the pot a little to create an even surface for heating.

Step 3: Set it and forget it

设置你的锅到适当的设置,那么turn it on. White rice will cook in about 20 to 25 minutes. Your rice cooker will automatically switch to the warming setting when the rice is done.

Step 4: Fluff and serve

When the rice is done, open the lid and use a rice spatula or wooden spatula to stir up the rice. This step allows the rice to steam and the water vapor to escape. After stirring, close the lid and let any excess steam absorb back into the rice for optimal fluff.

最后，将米饭从炊具中取出，然后添加一些美味的东西。或独自食用 - 这就是您的生活！

如何使用米饭for different types of rice

Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

If you’re a rice enthusiast, you know that no two grains are made equal. The steps above are for white, medium-grain rice, but if you find yourself craving one of the following varieties, tweak the steps as indicated.

Brown rice

As its name suggests, brown rice is, well, brown. This whole-grain variety has significantly more fiber and nutrients than white rice, making it a popular choice for those striving to eat healthier. If you’re still on the fence about getting a rice cooker, you won’t regret it—it cooks the best brown rice.

• Ratio:2 cups water to 1 cup rice
• Cook time:25–30 minutes
• Additional directions:If you enjoy the nuttier flavor of brown rice, we recommend an additional step between 1 and 2: toasting. After rinsing the brown rice, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat, then add the uncooked rice. Toast it for about 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until you smell a nutty aroma. Add your toasted rice to the cooker with water, starting at step 3.

Quinoa

富含纤维和low in carbohydrates, quinoa is a favorite of health-conscious foodies. It’s gluten-free and mixes well with spices, butter, and your favorite diced vegetables—just like rice.

• Ratio:2 cups water to 1 cup quinoa
• Cook time:15 minutes
• 方向：Follow the directions for white rice outlined above.

Jasmine rice

This long-grain rice is perfect for pairing with stir fry and soup. Jasmine rice cooks more quickly than conventional white rice, and it pairs well with heavy, saucy dishes. It’s less soft compared to medium grain white rice, but its dryness makes it perfect for fried rice.

• Ratio:1-3/4 cups water to 1 cup rice
• Cook time:15 minutes
• 方向：Follow the directions for white rice outlined above.

Sushi rice

惊喜，惊喜，这种短颗粒的葡萄藤白米饭适合making sushi, as it easily clings to therolling mat在滚动期间。在日本，它被称为日本大米和有趣的事实 - 它也用来制作sake! (But please don’t do that in your rice cooker.)

• Ratio:1 cup water to 1 cup rice
• Cook time:15 minutes
• Additional directions:Follow the steps outlined above until you hit step 6. Let the rice rest as noted, but while it’s resting, combine 1 Tbsp. rice vinegar, 1 Tbsp. sugar, and 1/2 tsp. salt in a small bowl, then heat in the microwave for 30 seconds. Transfer the cooked rice to a large bowl, combine with the vinegar mixture, then allow it to come to room temperature before rolling sushi.

Basmati rice

在南亚美食中很受欢迎，在巴斯马蒂大米中的特殊调味料给它带来了独特的香气和风味。这种长晶米饭很快就会煮熟，并与扁豆汤和咖喱等重菜配对。

• Ratio:1 3/4 cups water to 1 cup rice
• Cook time:15 minutes
• Additional directions:Follow the directions for white rice outlined above and serve with ghee.

Sweet rice

Also known as glutinous rice, sticky rice is the token base ingredient in many famous dessert dishes in Asian cuisines. You can purchase glutinous sweet rice at your local grocery store or onAmazon。它很容易团结在一起，这意味着您可以将更多的铲子铲入嘴中，而无需四处闪烁的碎片。

• Ratio:1-3/4 cups water to 1 cup rice
• Cook time:2 hours and 15 minutes
• Additional directions:Instead of rinsing your rice in step 1, combine water and rice in a large bowl and allow it to soak for 2 hours. Sticky rice needs to be pre-softened before steaming. After the time has passed, pour the mixture into your rice cooker and start back up at step 3.

Risotto

Thanks to the nonstick material that’s designed to keep ingredients from burning, a rice cooker can make the delicious Italian dish without requiring all the labor of stirring.

• Ratio:3 cups chicken stock to 1 cup arborio rice
• Cook time:45 minutes
• Additional directions:Place 1 cup arborio rice in the rice cooker and pour in the chicken stock. Lightly stir to create an even surface. Close the lid and let it cook for one cycle, then give it an additional 10 minutes to fully absorb the liquid before opening the lid. Then sprinkle the risotto with grated parmesan cheese and it’s ready to serve!

How to clean a rice cooker

学分：审核 /杰克逊·鲁克卡（Jackson Rukcar）

After you’ve enjoyed every morsel of your perfectly cooked rice, it’s time to lovingly clean your rice cooker and put it away for the next time.

First, unplug the rice cooker. Allow it to come to room temperature before cleaning it—running the pan underwater while it’s still hot can warp the pan insert. Remove the inner pan and lid so you can wash them both. The inner lid protects the heating element from picking up dirt in the air, so it’s crucial to keep it clean at all times.

To keep the inner pan clean, brush off any remaining dried pieces of rice and then clean it with warm, soapy water. Always use a wooden spatula for your rice cooker—most of the inner pans are nonstick and damaged by metal utensils.

If the pot doesn't have a removable insert, simply use a sponge to wipe it down. Let it dry, then put it away until next time.

Happy steaming!

Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

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