Steamy Delight: Cooking Eggs In Your Rice Cooker

Steaming eggs in a rice cooker is a great way to cook soft or hard eggs that are perfectly cooked and easy to peel. This method is especially useful if you want to avoid the mess that can come from boiling eggs in a pot of water, where the shells can crack and the eggs can leak out. Using a rice cooker is also a good way to steam eggs if you don't have access to a stove.

How to steam eggs without a tray

How to Steam Eggs in a Rice Cooker Without a Tray

Steaming eggs in a rice cooker is a great way to achieve perfectly cooked eggs without the mess of boiling them in a pot of water. The gentle cooking method also makes it easier to achieve your desired level of doneness.

Instructions:

First, add water to the inner pot of your rice cooker. The amount of water you need will depend on the type of rice cooker you have and your desired level of hardness for your eggs. Here are some general guidelines:

• For soft-boiled eggs, add 3 tablespoons of water to the inner pot.
• For medium-boiled eggs, add 4 tablespoons of water.
• For hard-boiled eggs, add 6 tablespoons of water.

If you have a digital rice cooker, you can also add 1/2 cup of water to the pot, regardless of your desired level of hardness.

Next, place the desired number of eggs directly into the water in the inner pot. Close the lid of the rice cooker.

If your rice cooker has a timer, set it for the appropriate amount of time:

• 8 minutes for soft-boiled eggs
• 11 minutes for medium-boiled eggs
• 13 minutes for hard-boiled eggs

If your rice cooker does not have a timer, use a separate timer or keep a close eye on the eggs to avoid overcooking.

Once the eggs are done, immediately transfer them to a bowl of iced water to stop the cooking process. Allow the eggs to sit in the ice bath for 2-3 minutes before peeling and enjoying!

Tips:

• The cooking times may vary depending on the model of your rice cooker, the starting temperature of the eggs, the size of the eggs, and the number of eggs you are cooking. Adjust the cooking time as needed to achieve your desired level of doneness.
• If you are using a basic rice cooker with just an on/off button, the water may not completely cook off during the cooking process.

The perfect egg-water ratio

Using this ratio will give you a smooth and soft custard-like texture. Adding too much egg will result in a hard curd, while adding too much water will prevent the mixture from solidifying.

If you want to enhance the flavour, you can replace the water with chicken stock. Additionally, warm water works best for this recipe, as it helps the beaten egg and water combine. The ideal temperature is around 45°C (113°F), which can be achieved by mixing equal parts of boiling water and tap water.

How to steam soft-boiled eggs

Steaming eggs in a rice cooker is a great way to make soft-boiled eggs that are cooked perfectly and peel easily. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Rice Cooker

Fill the inner pot of your rice cooker with water. The amount of water you need will depend on whether you are using a steam tray or not. If you are using a steam tray, add about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of water to the inner pot. If you are not using a steam tray, add just enough water to cover the eggs.

Step 2: Prepare the Eggs

Place the desired number of eggs in the steam tray. If you are not using a steam tray, you can carefully lower the eggs into the inner pot of the rice cooker. It is recommended to use room-temperature eggs for more consistent results.

Step 3: Start Cooking

Close the lid of the rice cooker and turn it on. If your rice cooker has a "Cook" setting, select that. If not, you can use the White Rice or Steam function. Set a timer for your desired doneness. For soft-boiled eggs, cook for 6 to 15 minutes, depending on how soft or runny you like your yolks.

Step 4: Cool the Eggs

Once the timer goes off, use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water. This will stop the cooking process and make the eggs easier to peel. Let the eggs cool in the ice bath for 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 5: Peel and Enjoy

Take the eggs out of the ice bath and crack the shells all over. You can then start peeling under running water to remove any shell fragments. Your soft-boiled eggs are now ready to be enjoyed!

Note that the cooking times may vary slightly depending on your rice cooker model, the starting temperature of the eggs, the egg size, and the number of eggs you are cooking. The times given are for refrigerated large chicken eggs. Adjust the cooking time as needed for your specific situation.

How to steam hard-boiled eggs

Steaming hard-boiled eggs in a rice cooker is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, prepare your rice cooker by adding water to the inner pot. The amount of water required can vary depending on the model of your rice cooker. As a general guideline, add enough water to cover the eggs or use measurements such as 1 to 1 1/2 cups, 1/2 cup, or 3-6 tablespoons of water. If using a rice cooker without a steam tray, simply place the eggs directly into the water. For rice cookers with a steam tray, ensure you add the water to the inner pot, not the steam tray.

The next step is to prepare the eggs. If your rice cooker has a steam tray, place the desired number of eggs onto the tray. If your rice cooker does not have a steam tray, you can carefully lower the eggs directly into the water. It is recommended to use room-temperature eggs for more consistent results.

Now, close the lid of the rice cooker. If your rice cooker has a cook setting, select this option. If your rice cooker has multiple settings, it is recommended to use the white rice function, not the steam function. Set a timer for your desired level of doneness. For soft-cooked eggs, set a timer for 13-15 minutes. For hard-boiled eggs, set the timer for 20 minutes.

Once the timer goes off, immediately transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water. This will stop the cooking process and help the eggs cool down. Leave the eggs in the ice bath for around 2-3 minutes.

Finally, you can start peeling your eggs! Enjoy them as they are, or use them in other dishes such as deviled eggs or egg salad.

There you have it! A simple and effective way to steam hard-boiled eggs using a rice cooker.

How to peel hard-boiled eggs

Tapping and Cracking

The first step to peeling a hard-boiled egg is to gently tap its bottom and top on a hard surface, creating small cracks in the shell. You can also use a spoon to help remove the shell, especially if you manage to get it between the membrane and the egg white.

The Ice Bath

The ice bath is an important step, as it immediately stops the eggs from cooking further. It is also the fastest way to cool the eggs to their centers. You can also place them under running water to help remove the shell.

The Shaking Method

One method to make peeling easier is to place the eggs in a Tupperware container with cold water and ice, seal the lid, and shake the container violently. This forces the ice water into the cracks between the egg and shell, making the shell separate more easily.

Using Vinegar

Adding vinegar to the water allegedly results in softer eggshells that are easier to peel. The acid in vinegar dissolves some of the calcium carbonate in the egg's exterior.

Using Older Eggs

It is actually easier to peel older eggs, so consider using eggs that are a few weeks old.

Frequently asked questions