Steaming Spinach: Using Your Rice Cooker For Healthy Greens

Rice cookers are a convenient way to cook rice, but they can also be used for steaming vegetables. Spinach is a leafy green vegetable that can be steamed, and it is a good source of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. So, can you steam spinach in a rice cooker? The answer is yes! Most rice cookers come with a steamer basket that can be used to steam vegetables. Simply add water to the cooking pot, place the spinach in the steamer basket, and select the appropriate setting. You can also add spinach to the rice as it cooks, or steam it in a bowl or plate placed in the rice cooker. Steaming spinach is a gentle cooking method that preserves the nutritional content of the vegetable.

How to steam spinach in a rice cooker

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

Firstly, add the recommended amount of water to your rice cooker – usually 2 to 3 cups. If you want to add some extra flavour, you can use chicken or vegetable stock instead of water.

Next, prepare your spinach. It is best to use fresh spinach, and you can chop it finely or leave it whole, depending on your preference. If you are using whole spinach leaves, you can place them directly into the rice cooker. If you are using chopped spinach, you may want to put it in a steamer basket or a small bowl/plate inside the rice cooker to prevent it from falling through the holes in the cooker.

Now, place the spinach in the rice cooker. If using a one-button rice cooker, simply push the button and let it steam until the spinach is done to your liking. If your rice cooker has different settings, select the steaming option, and set the time accordingly. Remember that the timer starts from when the water comes to a boil, so the actual cooking time will be longer.

If your rice cooker didn't come with a steamer basket, you can use a small trivet, or roll some foil into balls, set a plate on top, and use that as a platform for your spinach. You can also place a bowl or a colander inside the rice cooker and steam the spinach in that.

Finally, once the spinach is steamed to your liking, turn off the rice cooker and carefully remove the spinach, being mindful of the hot steam. You can now season and serve the spinach as desired.

Rice cooker models and their steaming capabilities

Rice cookers are available in a variety of models, each with distinct steaming capabilities. The following is a description of some of the most popular rice cooker models and their respective steaming capabilities:

Instant 20-Cup Rice Cooker

The Instant 20-Cup Rice Cooker is a versatile appliance that allows users to steam spinach leaves and other foods such as vegetables and seafood. It features a steaming function, a carb-reducing technology that doesn't compromise taste or texture, and eight cooking presets. Its 6-quart capacity makes it ideal for cooking rice for larger groups.

Zojirushi Induction Heating System Rice Cooker & Warmer

The Zojirushi Induction Heating System Rice Cooker & Warmer is a high-end model that excels in cooking Japanese rice varieties. It offers ten settings, including white rice, sushi rice, mixed rice, and sweet rice. This cooker is particularly well-suited for those with visual impairments, featuring sound signals and raised buttons for tactile identification.

Cuckoo CR-0655F Rice Cooker and Warmer

The Cuckoo CR-0655F is a reliable rice cooker with a straightforward control panel. It offers 11 settings, including white rice, brown rice, mixed rice, porridge, and steam. This model provides users with a high level of customization, allowing them to choose the rice's soak time, heating duration, and cooking temperature.

KitchenAid Grain and Rice Cooker

The KitchenAid Grain and Rice Cooker is a multi-functional appliance that goes beyond rice cooking. It features 21 preset cooking options for various grains and beans, a delayed start function, and an automatic water dispenser. Its large capacity of 8 cups makes it ideal for larger groups or batch cooking.

Tatung Electric Steamer Rice Cooker

The Tatung Electric Steamer Rice Cooker is a unique rice cooker that utilizes steam to cook rice and other foods. It has two compartments, one for water and the other for the rice bowl, allowing for gentle and even cooking. This model is perfect for those who want to steam other foods without boiling them, such as eggs or broccoli.

Steaming spinach without a rice cooker basket

Yes, you can steam spinach in a rice cooker, and most come with a steamer basket that fits perfectly inside the cooking pot. However, if your rice cooker doesn't have a steamer basket, there are still several ways to steam spinach.

Firstly, if you have a small trivet that fits inside your rice cooker, you can place the spinach in a small bowl or on a plate or sheet of foil and steam it on the trivet. Alternatively, you can roll some foil into balls, set a plate on top, and use that as a platform for your spinach.

You can also place a bowl or colander inside the rice cooker, add water, and steam the spinach in that. Or, you could put a small wire-mesh strainer over the pot with the spinach inside, cover it with the lid, and drape a clean kitchen towel over the rice cooker to trap the steam inside.

Finally, if you're cooking rice anyway, you can simply place the spinach on top of the rice once it's cooked, and the steam from the rice will gently steam the spinach.

If you don't have a rice cooker at all, you can still steam spinach. Place the spinach leaves in a large, deep skillet with a quarter cup of water. Cover the skillet tightly and turn the heat to medium-high. When the spinach starts to cook, turn the heat down to medium and keep cooking until the leaves are just wilted. Transfer the spinach to a colander and press out as much liquid as you can with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then drizzle with melted butter and lemon juice.

Adding spinach to rice while it cooks

Yes, you can steam spinach in a rice cooker. This is a great way to add some extra nutrients to your meal without dirtying any extra dishes.

If you want to add spinach to your rice while it cooks, it is recommended to use frozen spinach. Add 1 cup of frozen chopped spinach to the rice cooker after pouring in the rice. You don't need to mix it in—just let the spinach sit on top and steam. If you are using fresh spinach, chop it finely and add it to the rice cooker at the very end of the cooking process. Add the spinach with about a minute of cooking time left, then fluff the rice.

If you are using a processor-controlled rice cooker, there is usually a menu option or separate button for steaming. You can also steam spinach over the rice as it cooks. This works best when making a small batch of rice, as there might not be enough room in the cooker for both a full batch of rice and the steamer basket.

You can also steam spinach in a rice cooker without using the steamer basket. Place a bowl or a colander inside the rice cooker along with the water and steam the spinach in that. Alternatively, you can put a small wire-mesh strainer over the pot with spinach in it, then cover it with the lid. You will need to drape the top of the rice cooker with a clean kitchen towel to trap the steam inside.

Other vegetables that can be steamed in a rice cooker

Yes, you can steam spinach in a rice cooker. Rice cookers are not just for cooking rice; they can also be used for steaming vegetables, seafood, and other foods. To steam spinach in a rice cooker, add water to the cooking pot, place the spinach in the steamer basket, and select the appropriate setting.

Rice cookers can also be used to steam other vegetables, such as:

• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Carrots
• Pumpkin
• Squash
• Corn
• Potatoes
• Mushrooms
• Green beans

To steam vegetables in a rice cooker, add 1-2 inches of water to the rice cooker and insert a steamer basket. Place the vegetables in a single layer in the basket, ensuring that they are cleaned and cut beforehand. Close the lid and start the rice cooker. The cooking time will depend on the type of vegetable and the toughness of the vegetable, but it typically ranges from 5 to 15 minutes. For vegetables that cook quickly, such as broccoli, you can adjust the size to cook them alongside slower-cooking vegetables like cauliflower. For denser vegetables like carrots, slicing them thinly or shredding them can help them cook faster.

You can also steam vegetables without a steamer basket. You can use a small trivet, a small bowl, or a plate, or even roll foil into balls to create a platform for your steamed vegetables.

Frequently asked questions