Steaming Food: Using Your Rice Cooker For Healthy Meals

Rice cookers are a convenient and efficient way to achieve perfectly cooked rice with minimal effort. But did you know that they can also be used to steam food?

Most modern rice cookers come with a steamer tray or basket, enabling you to steam vegetables, meat, and fish. Even if your rice cooker doesn't have a steamer basket, there are alternative ways to steam food.

Steaming is considered one of the healthiest methods of cooking as it helps retain the colour, flavour, and nutrients of the food. It is also a very clean way to cook and is easy to clean up afterward.

So, the next time you're cooking rice, why not try steaming some vegetables, meat, or fish at the same time? It's a great way to add some extra flavour to your rice and make a delicious and nutritious meal.

How to steam vegetables in a rice cooker

Yes, you can steam vegetables in a rice cooker! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Using a Rice Cooker with a Steamer Basket

• Pour 2-3 cups of water into the cooker pot.
• Put your chosen vegetables in the steamer basket and place it in the cooker.
• Cover the pot with a lid.
• If you have a one-button rice cooker, simply press the button to start cooking. If you have a processor-controlled cooker, select the steam option or choose it from the menu. You may need to set the time manually; refer to your appliance's manual for instructions.
• Steam the vegetables until they are cooked to your desired level of doneness. Remember that the timer only starts when the water is boiling, so the actual cooking time will be longer than the time you set.

Using a Rice Cooker Without a Steamer Basket

• If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use a trivet that fits inside the cooking pot. Place the vegetables in a bowl, on a plate, or on a sheet of foil, and put them on the trivet.
• Another option is to place a small wire mesh strainer filled with vegetables over the pot and cover it with a lid. To keep the steam inside, wrap the top of the rice cooker with a clean kitchen towel.
• You can also use a bowl or a colander inside the cooker, along with water, to steam the vegetables.
• Alternatively, you can use foil balls as a base inside the rice cooker. Place a plate on top of the foil balls and add your vegetables to the plate.

Steaming Vegetables While Cooking Rice

You can also steam vegetables while cooking rice in your rice cooker, but make sure you have enough space. Simply place the vegetables over the rice when it has finished cooking, cover the rice cooker, and let the steam cook the vegetables to your desired tenderness. Remember that some vegetables steam faster than others, so choose your combinations wisely.

What foods can be steamed in a rice cooker?

Many rice cookers come with a steamer basket, which can be used to steam vegetables, meat, and fish. If your rice cooker didn't come with a steamer basket, you can use a small trivet or wire mesh strainer that fits inside the cooking pot, or a bowl or colander that fits inside the cooker with water.

When steaming vegetables, they should be cleaned and cut before placing them in the basket. Vegetables with tough skins, such as squash or pumpkin, should be placed flesh-side down. Most vegetables will take between 5 and 15 minutes to steam, depending on the type of vegetable and the amount of food in the cooker. Broccoli cooks faster than cauliflower, for example, so if you want to cook them together, make the cauliflower florets smaller than the broccoli florets. For dense vegetables like carrots, slice them thinly or shred them so they cook at the same rate as faster-cooking vegetables.

When steaming meat or fish, it's important to use foil to prevent the flavours from seeping into the rice. Steaming is a great way to tenderise meat for pulled beef or pork, and you can also steam chicken, beef, and pork. Meat and fish can take significantly longer to cook than vegetables, so it's important to monitor the temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches a safe temperature. Chicken and other poultry should reach at least 165°F, while beef and pork must be cooked to at least 145°F.

In addition to the foods mentioned above, you can also steam noodles, shrimp, dumplings, and even desserts like pudding and fruit.

Steaming food without a basket

Using a Trivet, Bowl, Plate, or Foil

If you have a small trivet that fits inside your rice cooker, you can place your vegetables in a small bowl, on a plate, or even a sheet of foil. Place this setup inside the rice cooker, add water, cover, and start steaming. This method essentially creates a DIY steamer basket.

Using a Wire Mesh Strainer

Another option is to use a small wire mesh strainer. Place your vegetables inside the strainer and set it over the pot. Cover the pot with a lid, but also wrap the top of the rice cooker with a clean kitchen towel to trap the steam inside. Without the towel, the strainer will prop the lid open, allowing steam to escape.

Using a Bowl or Colander

You can also place a bowl or a colander directly inside the rice cooker, along with water, and steam your food in that.

Using Foil Balls

Alternatively, you can use foil balls as a base inside the rice cooker. Roll up some foil into balls, place a plate on top, and then add your food.

Steaming Over Cooking Rice

If you're cooking rice, you can also steam greens and other delicate vegetables by placing them on top of the rice once it's done cooking. Simply cover the rice cooker, and the steam from the rice will gently cook the vegetables.

Microwave Steaming

If you're in a hurry, you can also steam food in the microwave. Place your food in a microwave-safe bowl, add a few tablespoons of water, and cover the bowl tightly with microwave-safe plastic wrap. Microwave for 4-6 minutes, or until your food reaches the desired tenderness.

These methods provide versatile options for steaming food without a basket, allowing you to prepare healthy and tasty meals with the convenience of your rice cooker.

How long does it take to steam vegetables in a rice cooker?

Yes, you can steam vegetables in a rice cooker, and it's a great way to cook them, as steamingsection! retains the colour, flavour, and nutrients of the vegetables.

The time it takes to steam vegetables in a rice cooker depends on the type of vegetable and the amount of food in the cooker. Most vegetables will take between 5 to 15 minutes to cook properly. However, the actual cooking time will be longer than the time you set on the timer, as the timer only starts when the water is boiling. So, it will take a couple of attempts to get a better idea of the total time it takes to steam your vegetables.

If you are steaming vegetables with rice, it's best to cook a small batch of rice, as the rice cooker might not have enough room for a full batch of rice and the steamer basket. You can also put the vegetables over the rice when it has finished cooking. Cover the rice cooker, and the steam created will cook the vegetables.

If you are steaming vegetables with tougher skins, such as squash or pumpkin, turn them flesh-down in the steamer basket. For vegetables such as broccoli, which cooks faster than cauliflower, make the cauliflower florets smaller than the broccoli florets so they cook evenly. For vegetables such assection! carrots and other dense vegetables, slice them thinly or shred them so they cook at the same rate as their faster-cooking counterparts.

Advantages and disadvantages of using a rice cooker as a steamer

Using a rice cooker as a steamer has its advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages include:

• The ability to cook a variety of foods, including vegetables, meat, fish, and even full meals.
• The convenience of using and cleaning only one device for most meals.
• The health benefits of steaming food, which is considered one of the healthiest methods of cooking.
• The ability to retain the colour, flavour, and nutrients of vegetables.
• The versatility to cook different types of rice and steam food simultaneously.
• The option to use a steamer basket or alternative methods if a basket is not included.
• The simplicity and ease of the steaming process, which is automated and foolproof.

Disadvantages include:

• Longer cooking times, especially when cooking meat.
• The need for regular checking and monitoring during the cooking process.
• The appearance of food, especially meats and chicken, which can look unappetizing when compared to other cooking methods.
• The requirement to manually adjust cooking times for different foods, as they may cook at different rates.
• The possibility of undercooking meat, which can lead to serious food poisoning if not handled correctly.

Overall, while there are some drawbacks, using a rice cooker as a steamer can be a convenient, healthy, and versatile option for preparing various dishes.

Frequently asked questions