Steaming Rice: A Veggie Steamer's Guide

Cooking rice in a vegetable steamer is a great way to achieve perfectly fluffy rice without the need for a rice cooker. This method is ideal for those who don't own a rice cooker or want to avoid the hassle of washing multiple dishes. By using a steamer, you can cook rice in small batches, reducing the amount of leftovers. Additionally, it eliminates the guesswork involved in deciding how much water to add to the rice. With a vegetable steamer, you can easily prepare tasty and healthy rice for your meals.

Using a rice-cooking bowl

Many electric vegetable steamers include a rice-cooking bowl, which is solid to hold the rice but open at the top so that steam can cook the rice like a sealed saucepan. Here is a step-by-step guide to using a rice-cooking bowl to cook rice in a vegetable steamer:

Step 1: Measure the Rice and Water

Measure the rice and water into the steamer's rice bowl with a pinch of salt. The usual measurement is two parts water to one part rice. You can also add butter or oil if desired.

Step 2: Prepare the Steamer

Fill the steamer's reservoir to its maximum level and assemble the steamer compartments and drip tray as usual. If you are cooking other foods in the steamer at the same time, you can place them in another steamer compartment.

Step 3: Position the Rice Bowl

Place the rice bowl inside the steamer compartment and cover it with the lid or another steamer compartment.

Step 4: Set the Timer

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

Step 5: Check the Rice

Once the timer goes off, carefully open the steamer, watching out for escaping hot steam. Test the rice to see if it is evenly cooked. If not, replace the lid and leave it for another 5 to 10 minutes. Unlike boiled rice, you can do this in a vegetable steamer without spoiling the rice.

Step 6: Remove and Fluff the Rice

Once the rice is fully cooked, remove it from the steamer and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before fluffing it with a fork.

Steaming rice directly in the steamer

You can steam rice directly in your vegetable steamer's compartment. This method is even easier because you don't have to worry about how much water to add. The rice will absorb as much steam as it needs while it cooks.

Step 1: Line the Steamer's Bottom with Cheesecloth

First, unroll and fold the cheesecloth so that it lines your steamer's compartment with three to four layers. Next, dampen the cloth and press it back into your steamer.

Step 2: Measure and Pour the Rice

Once you're done placing the cheesecloth, measure and pour the rice into the steamer's compartment. Spread it around to make an even layer.

Step 3: Fill the Water Reservoir

Now, fill the water reservoir of your steamer to the maximum level. Set the timer and turn it on. The timing depends on the type of rice you're cooking. Steam plain white rice for about 25 minutes, and brown or black rice for 45 minutes to an hour, or until it's tender.

Step 4: Let the Rice Stand

When the rice is ready, carefully lift it, using the corners of the cheesecloth as handles. Tip it into a serving bowl. Cover loosely and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Tips for Better Direct-Steamed Rice

• Rinse the rice before cooking for extra fluffiness. Friction between the grains creates a layer of rice flour that becomes sticky during cooking. Skip this step if you're making sweet or "sticky" rice.
• Soak Asian sticky rice and black "forbidden" rice for at least a few hours, preferably 8 hours or more, to reduce cooking time. Soaking Basmati rice for at least an hour will make it fluffier and lighter.
• Don't fluff the rice until it has rested for a few minutes. The starches in freshly cooked rice are soft and gelatinous, and fluffing it will create a sticky mess. Allow a few minutes for the starches to re-crystallize so that the rice can retain its shape.

Rice-to-water ratio

The rice-to-water ratio is a crucial aspect of cooking rice, as it determines the texture and consistency of the cooked rice. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for achieving the perfect rice-to-water ratio when cooking rice in a vegetable steamer:

• The standard ratio for cooking rice is typically two parts water to one part rice. This ratio is suitable for long-grain white rice and will result in fluffy and separate grains.
• For firmer rice, you can use a ratio of one part water to two-thirds parts rice. This will yield slightly firmer and less mushy rice.
• When cooking brown or red rice in a vegetable steamer, it is recommended to use a ratio of two parts water to one part rice and steam for 45 to 50 minutes.
• For white rice, the ratio can be adjusted to one part rice to 1.3 parts water, or 1:1.5 if you prefer softer rice.
• The ratio can also vary depending on the type of rice grain. For short-grain rice, a ratio of 1:1.1 is recommended, while for medium-grain rice, a 1:1 ratio will work well.

Tips for Perfect Rice:

• Pre-soak your rice for at least 10 minutes before cooking. This helps to reduce the cooking time and improve the texture of the rice.
• Use cold water in the steamer, rather than boiling water, when adding the rice. This ensures even cooking.
• Cover the steamer and maintain a high temperature during cooking. This helps to trap the steam and ensure even cooking.
• Allow the rice to rest in the steamer with the lid on for at least 5 minutes after turning off the heat. This helps the rice continue to cook gently and absorb any remaining moisture.
• If you want to add flavour to your rice, you can replace the water with tea, coconut milk, or stock. You can also add salt, oil, fried onions, tomatoes, or spices according to your preference.
• Rinsing the rice before cooking is optional but can help remove excess starch, resulting in fluffier rice. However, some rice varieties, such as sticky rice, should not be rinsed to retain their sticky texture.

Rinsing and pre-soaking rice

Rinsing Rice:

• Rinsing rice before cooking is essential to remove any dust, dirt, or excess starch that may be present on the grains. This step helps prevent the rice from becoming sticky or clumpy during cooking.
• Place the rice in a bowl or container and rinse it several times under running water. Agitate the rice with your fingers to ensure the water reaches all the grains.
• Continue rinsing and draining until the water runs clear or is at least significantly clearer. This indicates that most of the excess starch has been removed.

Pre-soaking Rice:

• After rinsing the rice, it is beneficial to pre-soak it for a minimum of 10 minutes. Pre-soaking helps to reduce the cooking time and can also improve the texture of the rice.
• For Asian sticky rice, it is recommended to soak the rice for a longer period, ideally 8 hours or more. Soaking helps the rice steam faster and results in a softer texture.
• Basmati rice does not require soaking but will become longer, lighter, and fluffier if soaked for at least an hour.
• After pre-soaking, drain the rice and proceed to the next step in the cooking process.

By following these steps of rinsing and pre-soaking, you will help ensure that your rice cooks evenly and has a desirable texture when prepared in a vegetable steamer.

Cooking time

The cooking time for rice in a vegetable steamer depends on the type of rice you are using. Regular white rice will take 15-30 minutes to cook, while brown, red, and wild rice will take 45 minutes to an hour. Set the timer according to the type of rice you are cooking. If your steamer has a specific setting for cooking rice, use that instead.

If you are using a rice cooker bowl, the cooking time will be different. For brown or red rice, set the timer for 45 to 50 minutes. For white rice, set the timer for 25 to 30 minutes.

Once the timer goes off, carefully open the steamer and check the rice. Be careful, as hot steam may escape. If the rice is not evenly cooked, cover it again and let it cook for another 5 to 10 minutes.

After the rice is fully cooked, remove it from the steamer and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before fluffing it with a fork. This allows the starches in the rice to re-crystallize, so it retains its shape.

If you are using a microwave steamer, combine the rice and water in the steamer and microwave uncovered on high for 16-18 minutes, or until tender.

If you are using a stove-top steamer, pre-soak your rice for at least 10 minutes, then drain and transfer it to a heat-proof container that fits in your steamer. Add water to the rice according to your preferred texture. Place the container in the steamer, turn the heat to high, cover, and cook for 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the rice sit in the steamer, covered, for at least 5 more minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions