Steaming Potatoes: Aroma Rice Cooker Time And Tips

Rice cookers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used to cook a variety of foods, including potatoes. Whether you're making mashed potatoes or simply steaming them, a rice cooker can help you achieve your desired result. In this article, we will discuss the steps for steaming potatoes in an Aroma rice cooker, including the cooking time and any preparation required. By following these simple instructions, you'll be able to enjoy perfectly steamed potatoes with minimal effort.

Steaming sweet potatoes with the skin on

Firstly, select medium to large sweet potatoes with a smooth, even surface. Avoid overly large sweet potatoes or those with wrinkled skin, as they may be challenging to steam evenly. Begin by giving your sweet potatoes a thorough wash. This step is crucial to ensure that any dirt or debris is removed, maintaining hygiene and food safety.

Next, decide whether to leave the skin on or peel it off. Leaving the skin on is entirely optional but can add a different texture to your dish. If you opt to keep the skin, use a fork to prick the sweet potatoes a few times. This step will allow steam to escape during the cooking process and prevent the potatoes from exploding. If you prefer peeled sweet potatoes, go ahead and peel them before cutting.

Now, cut the sweet potatoes into uniform pieces. This step ensures even cooking, and it also helps with portion control. Try to keep the size of each piece relatively similar. After cutting, place the sweet potato pieces into the Aroma Rice Cooker.

Add water to the rice cooker. The amount of water required will depend on your rice cooker model. Generally, add enough water to reach the level of the sweet potatoes in the steamer basket or cover the sweet potatoes. Close the lid of the rice cooker.

Select the "Steam" setting on your Aroma Rice Cooker, and let the cooking begin! The cooking time will depend on the size of your sweet potato pieces. Smaller pieces may take around 20 minutes, while larger ones could take up to 35-45 minutes. To check if your sweet potatoes are cooked, insert a sharp knife or fork into the centre. If it slides in easily, your sweet potatoes are ready!

Once cooked, remove the sweet potatoes from the rice cooker and serve them as a nutritious side dish. You can enjoy them as they are or add some tasty toppings like butter, cinnamon, or brown sugar. Steamed sweet potatoes are also great for constipation and are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, so they are a healthy addition to any meal.

Using the steam function

Firstly, you'll want to use starchy potatoes such as russets, or red potatoes. Cut your potatoes into quarters or, if using sweet potatoes, cut them in half if they are larger than 150g. The key is to keep the size of the potato pieces as uniform as possible so they cook evenly.

Next, place the potatoes in the rice cooker's inner pot. Add water—the amount will depend on the type of potato and your rice cooker, but generally, you'll want to add at least an inch of water, with two inches being better. You can also add a drizzle of sesame oil for flavour. Then, place the lid on the rice cooker.

Now, it's time to start the cooking process. Select the 'Steam' or 'Multi-cook' function on your Aroma rice cooker. If your cooker has a timer, set it for around 45 minutes. If not, allow the cycle to complete. Depending on your rice cooker and the size of your potatoes, you might need to put them through a second cooking cycle. If so, rotate the potatoes so the top of each one becomes the bottom to ensure even cooking.

Once the timer goes off, carefully remove the lid, being mindful of the hot steam. If you want soft-skinned potatoes, serve them immediately. If you prefer a crisp skin, place them in an oven or toaster oven for a few minutes at 400°F.

How to prepare the potatoes

Preparing potatoes in an Aroma rice cooker is a simple and easy process. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

First, select the type of potatoes you want to cook. You can use regular potatoes or sweet potatoes, depending on your preference. If you're using regular potatoes, choose russets or other starchy varieties. If you're using sweet potatoes, make sure they are around 150g each, and cut them in half if they are larger. For red potatoes, simply quarter them. The key is to keep the size as uniform as possible to ensure even cooking.

Next, prepare the rice cooker. Pour water into the inner pot. The amount of water will depend on the type of potato and your personal preference. For sweet potatoes, use around 2 cups of water. For other types of potatoes, you can use about an inch of water, or 2 inches for better results. Place the steam pot inside the inner pot.

Now, it's time to prepare the potatoes. If you're making baked potatoes, pierce the potatoes several times with a fork or a paring knife to allow steam to escape and prevent the potatoes from exploding. This will also result in a fluffy and dry interior. If you prefer a soft skin, you can wrap the potatoes in foil before cooking.

Arrange the potatoes in the rice cooker. For baked potatoes, place them directly in the bottom of the rice cooker. If you're making mashed potatoes, place the potatoes in the inner pot with the water. Close the lid of the rice cooker.

Cooking Instructions:

Once the potatoes are prepared and arranged in the rice cooker, it's time to start the cooking process. Depending on the model of your Aroma rice cooker, select the appropriate settings and functions. You can choose the ''Steam' function or the 'Multi-cook' function with the 'Pressure Cook/Turbo' button. Set the timer for around 35 to 45 minutes. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the type of potatoes and your desired doneness.

When the timer goes off, carefully open the lid and check the potatoes. For baked potatoes, remove the lid and let the steam dissipate. This will also give the skin a chance to dry. If you prefer a crispier skin, you can place the potatoes in an oven or toaster oven at 400 F for a few minutes. For mashed potatoes, simply grab a rice paddle or plastic masher and mash the potatoes directly in the inner pot.

Adding Ingredients:

After the potatoes are cooked, you can enhance their flavor by adding various ingredients. For mashed potatoes, add milk, olive oil, butter, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix until the potatoes are fluffy and smooth. You can also experiment with different flavors, such as adding roasted garlic for garlic mashed potatoes.

For baked potatoes, you can garnish them with toppings of your choice. Some popular options include rosemary, garlic, butter, sour cream, cheese, or chives. You can also season them with salt and pepper to taste.

And that's it! You now have delicious steamed potatoes prepared in your Aroma rice cooker. Enjoy your tasty and fluffy potatoes as a side dish or a comforting main course.

The amount of water to add

The amount of water you need to add depends on the type of potatoes you are steaming and the volume of potatoes you are cooking.

For sweet potatoes, two cups of water are recommended. If you are making mashed potatoes, five cups of water are required. For red potatoes, one inch of water is enough, but two inches would be better.

It is important to note that the amount of water may vary depending on the size of your rice cooker and the number of potatoes you are cooking. As a general rule, you want to ensure that the potatoes are mostly submerged in the water, allowing them to cook evenly.

If you are unsure, it is always better to add slightly more water than less, as you can always drain any excess water at the end.

How to achieve a crispy skin

To steam potatoes in an Aroma rice cooker, the process is simple. First, peel and quarter your potatoes, keeping their size as uniform as possible. Place them in the rice cooker's inner pot with water—the amount depends on the quantity of potatoes you're cooking, but generally, an inch of water is enough, though two inches is better. Then, close the lid and press the 'On' button. Allow the cycle to complete—depending on your rice cooker and the size of your potatoes, you might need to put them through a second cooking cycle. If so, rotate the potatoes so the top of each one becomes the bottom to ensure even cooking.

Now, for the all-important crispy skin. Once your potatoes are cooked, remove the lid from your rice cooker to let the steam escape and give the skin a chance to dry. If you like your potatoes with a soft skin, serve them immediately while they're hot. However, if you prefer a crispy skin, place the potatoes in an oven or toaster oven for a few minutes at 400°F (204°C). This step will dry out and crisp up the skin, giving you that desirable texture similar to oven-baked potatoes.

Alternatively, for crispy-skinned potatoes, try the following method:

• After steaming your potatoes in the rice cooker, let them cool completely.
• The next day, place the potatoes on an oiled pan and drizzle them with sesame oil.
• Bake or fry them until the skin becomes crispy.

By following these steps and using one of these methods, you can achieve a crispy skin on your potatoes when cooking with an Aroma rice cooker.

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