Steaming Aroma Rice: The Perfect Guide For Beginners

The Aroma rice cooker and steamer can be used to cook rice and steam vegetables. It can cook up to 10 cups of white or brown rice and can steam vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, peas, and broccoli. The steps to cook rice in the Aroma cooker include opening the cooker, removing the inner pot, measuring and rinsing the rice, adding water, closing the lid, plugging the cooker, and pressing the appropriate button for the type of rice being cooked. The steps to steam vegetables include measuring the water, adding the vegetables to the steam tray, pressing the Steam/Cook button, and removing the vegetables after steaming.

How to Steam Using an Aroma Rice Cooker

Rinsing rice

There are differing opinions on which types of rice should be rinsed. Some people recommend rinsing all types of rice before cooking, including short-grain, medium-grain, and long-grain rice. Others suggest that it depends on the dish you are preparing. For example, if you are making a creamy dish like rice pudding or risotto, you can skip the rinse as the sticky nature of the rice is beneficial. However, if you are looking for fluffy and separate grains, rinsing is recommended, regardless of the rice variety.

To rinse the rice, start by placing it in a large bowl and covering it with water. Gently swirl the rice with your hand until the water becomes cloudy, then pour out the water while keeping the rice in the bowl. Repeat this process until the water is clear, which usually takes about three to four rinses. Alternatively, you can put the rice in a strainer and rinse it under a running faucet until the water goes from cloudy to clear. If you own a rice cooker, you can rinse the rice directly in the cooker's bowl to save yourself from washing an extra dish. Just remember to drain the excess water thoroughly so that it does not affect your water-to-rice ratio.

Adding water

Now you're ready to add water. Use the same measuring cup to measure out the correct amount of water. For example, if you're cooking two cups of rice, add 2 and a half cups of water. The water line inside the pot should reach Line 2. If you're cooking wild or brown rice, you'll need to add a little extra water—around 3/4 cup more than you would for white rice. If you like softer rice, simply add a little more water.

Once you've added the water, it's time to close the lid and plug the cooker into the power outlet. Now, press either the "White Rice" or "Brown Rice" button, depending on the type of rice you're cooking. That's it! Your Aroma rice cooker will take care of the rest, and you'll have perfectly cooked rice in no time.

Using the steam tray

To use the steam tray in your Aroma Rice Cooker, follow these steps:

• Set up your Aroma Rice Cooker by connecting the base securely to the lid.
• Insert the steam tray into the main bowl.
• Fill the main bowl with water up to the line indicated by the tray.
• Install the steam vent seal.
• Wash and drain the rice to remove excess starch.
• Add the rice and the appropriate amount of water to the steam tray. The amount of water will depend on the type of rice you are using. For example, for two cups of rice, add 2.5 cups of water.
• Place the steam tray with the rice into the main bowl.
• Secure the lid and plug in the cooker.
• Press the "Steam/Cook" button on the control panel.
• Allow the rice to cook until the "Keep-Warm" function displays.
• Remove the rice from the cooker and serve.

You can also use the steam tray to cook vegetables. Simply fill the main bowl with water, add your desired vegetables to the steam tray, and follow the same steps as above. The amount of water you add will depend on the type of vegetable you are steaming. For example, use 1/2 cup of water for vegetables like asparagus, peas, spinach, squash, and zucchini, and 1 cup of water for vegetables like cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, corn, and green beans.

The Aroma Rice Cooker's steam function is a healthy and efficient way to cook food, as it helps retain essential vitamins and minerals, flavor, and texture. It also doesn't require the addition of fats or oils and uses less energy, helping to lower bills.

Cooking vegetables

An Aroma rice cooker can be used to steam vegetables, taking the guesswork out of cooking. You can steam vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, peas, and broccoli. Here is a step-by-step guide to cooking vegetables in an Aroma rice cooker:

Step 1: Prepare the Rice Cooker

Ensure the rice cooker is unplugged. Press the "Lid Release" button and open the cooker.

Step 2: Add Water

Add the required amount of water to the inner pot. The amount of water depends on the type of vegetable. For example, use 1/2 cup of water for vegetables like asparagus, peas, spinach, squash, and zucchini. For cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, corn, and green beans, use 1 cup of water.

Step 3: Prepare the Vegetables

Place the steam tray inside the rice cooker. Put your chosen vegetables into the steam tray. If you are steaming denser vegetables like carrots, slice them thinly or shred them to ensure even cooking.

Step 4: Set the Rice Cooker

Close the lid of the rice cooker. Plug the power cord into the outlet. Press the "Steam/Cook" button on the control panel. If your cooker has a processor, select "Steam" from the menu and set the time.

Step 5: Monitor the Cooking Process

The cooker will automatically switch to "Keep-Warm" mode when the steaming is complete. Experiment with the steaming time to achieve your desired level of crispness.

Step 6: Serve the Vegetables

Remove the steamed vegetables from the cooker immediately after steaming is complete. Serve them hot or chill them before serving with your favorite sauce.

Additional Tips:

• You can also steam vegetables over the rice as it cooks, but this works best with a small batch of rice to ensure there is enough space in the cooker.
• If you don't have a steam tray, you can use a small trivet, a bowl, a plate, or foil to elevate the vegetables above the water.
• Some vegetables steam faster than others, so you may need to adjust the size of the florets or slices to ensure even cooking.
• You can add frozen vegetables directly to the rice cooker with the rice, but avoid adding broccoli or cauliflower as they may become soggy.

By following these steps and tips, you can easily steam vegetables in your Aroma rice cooker and enjoy a healthy and delicious meal.

Cooking rice

The Aroma rice cooker can cook up to 10 cups of white rice or brown rice. It can also be used to steam vegetables. Here is a step-by-step guide to cooking rice with the Aroma rice cooker:

Step 1: Open the Rice Cooker

Press the "Lid Release" button on the top of the Aroma rice cooker to open the device. Make sure it is not plugged into a power source.

Step 2: Remove the Inner Pot

Remove the inner pot from the Aroma cooker.

Step 3: Measure the Rice

Measure the desired amount of rice (e.g., one or two cups) using the provided measuring cup, and pour it into the inner pot. Refer to the directions on the rice packaging for the right amount of rice to cook, depending on the number of people you're serving.

Step 4: Rinse the Rice

Rinse the rice inside the inner pot with water until the water becomes clear. Drain all water from the pot.

Step 5: Add Water

Add the appropriate amount of water to the inner pot using the measuring cup. For example, for two cups of rice, add 2 1/2 cups of water. The water line inside the pot should reach Line 2. If cooking wild or brown rice, add an additional 3/4 cup of water compared to white rice. Add more water for softer rice.

Step 6: Close the Lid

Replace the inner pot and snap the lid closed. Plug the Aroma cooker's power cord into the power outlet.

Step 7: Start the Rice Cooker

Press either the "White Rice" or "Brown Rice" button, depending on the type of rice you're cooking. The cooking process will begin immediately, and when it's complete, "Keep-Warm" will be displayed on the control panel. Allow the rice to remain on "Keep-Warm" for five to 10 minutes, then open the lid and spoon the rice out of the inner pot.

Frequently asked questions