7 Amazing Dishes You Can Make with a Rice Cooker
Rice cookers are a staple in Pinoy households because no Filipino meal is complete without a serving (or two) of freshly cooked rice. But did you know that you can use your trusty rice cooker to cook a variety of dishes?
You can expand your culinary horizons by investing in a rice cooker and using this kitchen appliance to whip up soups, appetizers, mains, and even desserts. Go beyond the perfect bowl of white rice, and impress your friends and family with these creative—and not to mention, delicious—rice cooker recipes!
Macaroni and Cheese
One of the easiest comfort foods to make on your rice cooker is mac and cheese. For added flavor, boil your pasta in chicken or vegetable broth instead of water. Once the pasta is partially cooked, add milk and your cheese of choice and then let the mixture cook until the noodles are al dente. You’ll look forward to unlocking gooey, cheesy goodness without the mess of multiple pots, plates, and bowls.
Risotto
Want a meal for an extra special event like a birthday or anniversary? You can transform rice into something heartier and richer by making a risotto. This classic Italian recipe is usually made with ingredients like mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes. The best part is that you don’t need to stir the rice in order for it to cook evenly. Your rice cooker will do all the work for you.
Oatmeal
Who says oatmeal makes for a boring breakfast? Pop it in your rice cooker to give it a spectacular texture, and finish it with either sweet or savory toppings. Cook steel-cut oats with water and some salt to make an oatmeal porridge and top with bacon, smoked fish, cooked vegetables, or pickles. Alternatively, you can make overnight oats and heap them with fresh fruits, cinnamon, honey, nuts, or chocolate chips.
Chicken Curry
On days that you want a meal to warm you up, you can make chicken curry with your rice cooker. Sauté onions and garlic in the cooker just like you would in a frying pan, then add a sprinkle of curry powder. Next, add chicken breast cubes, tomato sauce, and spice mix and then cook the mixture down until the chicken is soft. Make your curry extra creamy by adding a generous serving of yogurt, and serve with rice or flatbread.
Chili
What if you’ve got a Tex-Mex craving? If you do, you can spice up your weekday dinner by whipping up some chili. Brown your ground beef or ground chicken in your rice cooker and drain the excess fat. Then, add ingredients like cumin, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, brown sugar and, of course, chili powder. Finish with a can of kidney beans and cook until everything’s deliciously tender.
Rice Pudding
Your rice cooker can also help you whip up a big batch of rice pudding. You can put a healthier spin on this dessert by using brown rice and coconut sugar, as well as low-fat cow’s milk or coconut milk. You will just need to wait a few hours until the rice is soft, but when you taste the end result, you know it’ll be worth it.
Rice Cooker Pancakes
Still got room for another dessert? It’s also possible to make huge, light, and fluffy Japanese-style pancakes with this appliance. To cook one giant pancake, make a traditional batter using flour, baking powder, sugar, eggs, and milk. Pour the batter in, cook at a low setting, and wait about 45 minutes until the pancake’s edges pull away and a toothpick comes out clean. Then, dust with powdered sugar and finish with fruits, nuts, or chocolate.
There’s a whole bunch of awesome recipes to try, but these are a good starting seven. Which of these delectable recipes are you most excited to try with your rice cooker?