Vegetable Steamer: A Quick, Easy Way To Cook Rice

Cooking rice in a vegetable steamer is a great way to achieve perfectly cooked, fluffy rice. This method is especially useful if you don't own a rice cooker or prefer to cook smaller portions. By using a steamer, you can prepare rice directly in a steamer compartment or use a rice-cooking bowl designed for this purpose. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you cook rice in a vegetable steamer:

Using a Rice-Cooking Bowl:

- Measure the desired amount of rice and water into the steamer's rice bowl, adding a pinch of salt. The standard ratio is two parts water to one part rice, but this may vary depending on the type of rice and your preferred texture.

- Assemble the steamer by filling the reservoir to its maximum level and placing the rice bowl inside the steamer compartment. Cover it with a lid or another steamer compartment.

- Set the timer according to the type of rice: 45-50 minutes for brown or red rice, and 25-30 minutes for white rice. If your steamer has a rice-specific setting, use that instead.

- Once the timer goes off, carefully open the steamer and check if the rice is evenly cooked. If not, replace the lid and allow it to steam for another 5-10 minutes.

- Remove the cooked rice from the steamer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before fluffing it with a fork.

Cooking Rice Directly in a Steamer Compartment:

- Line the steamer compartment with cheesecloth, dampening it with water, and then measure and pour the rice into the compartment, spreading it evenly.

- Fill the reservoir to the maximum level and set the timer. Steam white rice for about 25 minutes and brown or black rice for 45 minutes to an hour, or until tender.

- Lift the cooked rice using the corners of the cheesecloth and transfer it to a serving bowl. Allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

General Tips:

- Rinse the rice before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent it from becoming sticky.

- Adjust the water-to-rice ratio based on your desired texture. For firmer rice, use less water, and for softer rice, add more.

- Experiment with different types of rice, such as jasmine or basmati, to find your favorite.

- You can add seasonings like salt, herbs, or spices to the water for extra flavor, especially if you plan to use the rice as a base for stir-fries or curries.

- If you plan to cook rice regularly, consider investing in a rice cooker with a steaming function for precise temperature control and convenience.

Rinse the rice before cooking to prevent it from sticking together

Rinsing rice before cooking is an important step to ensure your rice is clean, properly hydrated, and well-textured. It is especially important if you are cooking rice in a vegetable steamer, as you want to avoid the rice grains sticking together.

Rice is often coated in a fine powder of starchy residue, which is created by the friction of grains rubbing against each other during processing and shipping. This residue can cause rice to become sticky and clump together when cooked. Rinsing the rice washes away this residue, ensuring your rice grains stay separate and have a fluffy texture. This is particularly desirable in Asian and Hispanic cuisines, where loose, individual grains of rice are preferred.

To rinse rice, place the uncooked rice in a large bowl and fill it with cold water. Agitate the rice with your hands—you will notice the water becomes cloudy as the starch is released. Strain the rice through a fine-mesh sieve and repeat the process until the water runs clear. This can take up to four rinses. Alternatively, you can use a fine-mesh strainer and run water over the rice until the water runs clear.

It is important to note that you should not rinse rice until the water runs completely clear, as this can remove too many nutrients and affect the fragrance, flavour, and texture of the rice. Additionally, if you are making dishes like risotto or paella, where you want the rice to be starchier and stick together, you can skip the rinsing step altogether.

Use a rice-cooking bowl to measure rice and water

If your vegetable steamer includes a rice-cooking bowl, you can use this to measure the rice and water and cook the rice. The bowl is solid, so it holds the rice, but it's open at the top so that hot steam can cook the rice like a sealed saucepan.

First, measure the rice and water into the steamer's rice bowl. You can add a pinch of salt for flavour. The usual measurement is two parts water to one part rice, but you can adjust this ratio depending on your preferred texture. For firmer rice, decrease the amount of water slightly, and for softer, stickier rice, add a little more water.

Next, assemble the steamer's compartments and drip tray as usual. Fill the steamer's reservoir to its maximum level and place the rice bowl inside the steamer compartment. Cover the bowl with the lid or another steamer compartment containing other foods.

Set the timer according to the type of rice you are cooking. For brown or red rice, set the timer for 45-50 minutes, and for white rice, set it for 25-30 minutes. If your steamer has a specific push-button setting for cooking rice, use that instead.

Once the timer goes off, carefully open the steamer, watching out for hot steam. Test the rice. If it's not evenly cooked, replace the lid and leave it for another 5-10 minutes. This is an advantage of using a vegetable steamer, as doing this with the sealed-pot method can spoil the rice.

Finally, remove the rice from the steamer once it's fully cooked, and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before fluffing it with a fork.

Set the timer for 25-30 minutes for white rice

When cooking white rice in a vegetable steamer, it's important to set the timer for 25 to 30 minutes. This timing ensures that the rice is cooked through and has a fluffy texture.

Firstly, it's important to prepare the rice for steaming. This involves rinsing the rice under cold water to remove excess starch and prevent the rice from sticking together. After rinsing, measure out the desired amount of rice and water according to the rice package instructions. The standard rice-to-water ratio is 1:1.3, but this can be adjusted to 1:1.5 if you prefer softer rice. For short-grain rice, a ratio of 1:1.1 is recommended.

Once the rice has been measured and soaked in water for at least 10 minutes, it's time to begin steaming. Place the rice in a shallow, heat-proof container that fits inside your steamer. Ensure the steamer is filled with cold water, as boiling water can affect the cooking process.

Turn on the steamer to high heat and set the timer for 25 to 30 minutes for white rice. Cover the steamer and allow the rice to cook. Once the timer goes off, turn off the heat and let the rice sit in the steamer, covered, for at least 5 more minutes. This additional time ensures that the rice grains firm up and become fluffy.

After the resting period, you can remove the rice from the steamer and fluff it with a fork or a rice paddle to separate the grains. Your perfectly cooked white rice is now ready to be served!

It's important to note that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the specific model of your vegetable steamer and the type of rice you are using. Always refer to the instruction manual for your steamer and the package instructions for the rice to ensure the best results.

Let the rice rest for 5-10 minutes before serving

Allowing the rice to rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking is an important step in the process of cooking rice in a vegetable steamer. This resting period enables the rice grains to firm up and become fluffy, resulting in a desirable texture. During this time, the starches in the rice cool and re-crystallize, ensuring that the rice retains its shape when fluffed with a fork.

The resting period also helps to maintain the heat in the rice, ensuring it remains warm until serving. This is especially beneficial if you are preparing other dishes or waiting for guests to arrive. The rice can simply be left in the steamer with the lid on, staying warm and continuing to steam gently.

For the best results, it is recommended to avoid lifting the lid or disturbing the rice during the resting period. This will ensure the steam remains trapped inside, keeping the rice warm and allowing it to firm up evenly.

After the resting period, the rice should be ready to serve. You can fluff it with a fork to separate the grains and create an even fluffier texture. This final step ensures that each grain of rice is individual and tender, creating the perfect base for a variety of dishes.

By following this simple step of letting the rice rest, you will achieve delicious, fluffy rice with a texture that is sure to impress.

Experiment with different types of rice

Experimenting with different types of rice can lead to a variety of tasty dishes and allow you to discover your preferred rice variety. Here are some tips for cooking different types of rice in a vegetable steamer:

White Rice

White rice is the most common type of rice and is typically used in dishes like fried rice, rice pilaf, and rice bowls. It has a delicate texture and flavour, making it a versatile choice for various recipes. When cooking white rice in a vegetable steamer, follow these steps:

• Rinse the rice to remove excess starch, which can make the rice sticky.
• Pre-soak the rice for at least 10 minutes. This helps to reduce cooking time and improve the texture.
• Drain the rice and transfer it to a shallow, heat-proof container that fits in your steamer.
• Add water to the rice. The general ratio is 1 cup of rice to 1.3 cups of water, but you can adjust this ratio depending on your preferred texture. For softer rice, use a 1:1.5 ratio.
• Place the container in the steamer, ensuring that the water in the steamer is cold rather than boiling.
• Turn on the heat to high, cover the steamer, and cook for 20 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and let the rice sit in the steamer, covered, for at least 5 minutes. You can keep it covered for longer if you need to keep the rice warm until serving.

Brown Rice

Brown rice is a whole grain rice that retains its bran and germ, resulting in a chewier texture and nuttier flavour compared to white rice. It is a good source of fibre and various nutrients. To cook brown rice in a vegetable steamer:

• Rinse the rice to remove any debris or dust.
• Pre-soaking is optional but can help reduce cooking time. If you choose to pre-soak, use room temperature water and soak for 20-30 minutes.
• Drain the rice and transfer it to a heat-proof container that fits in your steamer.
• Add water to the rice, using a ratio of 1 cup of rice to 1.5-2 cups of water. Brown rice typically requires more water than white rice due to its higher fibre content.
• Place the container in the steamer, ensuring the water in the steamer is cold.
• Turn on the heat, cover, and cook for 45 minutes to an hour, or until the rice is tender.
• Turn off the heat and let the rice rest in the steamer, covered, for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Jasmine Rice

Jasmine rice is a long-grain rice variety known for its fragrant aroma and slightly sticky texture when cooked. It is commonly used in Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. To cook jasmine rice in a vegetable steamer:

• Rinse the rice to remove excess starch and enhance its natural fragrance.
• Pre-soak the rice for at least 10 minutes to help reduce cooking time and improve texture.
• Drain the rice and transfer it to a heat-proof container suitable for your steamer.
• Add water to the rice, using a ratio of 1 cup of rice to 1.3 cups of water. If you prefer softer rice, you can increase the water ratio to 1:1.5.
• Place the container in the steamer, ensuring the water in the steamer is cold.
• Turn the heat to high, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and let the rice sit covered in the steamer for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Basmati Rice

Basmati rice is a long-grain rice originating from India, characterised by its delicate flavour and fluffy texture. It is commonly used in dishes like biryani, pilaf, and rice salads. To cook basmati rice in a vegetable steamer:

• Rinse the rice to remove excess starch and enhance its natural aroma.
• Soak the rice for at least an hour before cooking. Soaking helps to reduce cooking time and promotes longer, fluffier grains.
• Drain the rice and transfer it to a heat-proof container that fits in your steamer.
• Add water to the rice, using a ratio of 1 cup of rice to 1.5 cups of water.
• Place the container in the steamer, ensuring the water in the steamer is cold.
• Turn on the heat, cover, and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
• Turn off the heat and let the rice rest in the steamer, covered, for 5-10 minutes before fluffing it with a fork and serving.

Frequently asked questions