Steaming Sausages: Using Your Rice Cooker For A Quick Meal

Steaming sausages in a rice cooker is a quick and easy way to cook a tasty meal. It's a common method in Asia, and you can steam rice and sausages at the same time for a simple one-pot dish. You can also add other ingredients like vegetables, eggs, and seasoning to make a more complex meal.

How to steam Chinese sausage in a rice cooker

Chinese sausage is a type of cured sausage that is popular in many regions of China. It is made with fresh meat, usually fatty pork, and a variety of seasonings, such as rice wine, soy sauce, and rose water. The sausage is then air-dried until it is firm. Chinese sausage, also known as "lap cheong," has a distinctive sweet and savoury taste with a spiced fragrance and a smoky undertone.

Steaming Chinese sausage in a rice cooker is a simple and convenient way to cook this delicious meat. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Rice Cooker

First, remove the interior rice pot from your rice cooker. Rinse the desired amount of rice in the pot several times with water until the water runs clear. Then, fill the pot with water according to the markings inside the rice cooker pot or your usual rice-to-water ratio.

Step 2: Add the Chinese Sausage

Lay the links of Chinese sausage on top of the rice. You can cut the links into smaller pieces if needed to make them fit nicely in the pot.

Step 3: Cook

Close the lid of the rice cooker and press the "cook" button or the button you usually press to start cooking the rice. The rice cooker will cook the rice and steam the sausage at the same time.

Step 4: Serve

Once the rice cooker indicates that the cooking is complete, carefully remove the Chinese sausage links as they will be hot. Place them on a cutting board and slice them into your desired thickness. Fluff up the rice and scoop it into bowls. Top the rice with the sliced sausage and enjoy!

Variations and Tips:

• You can also add other ingredients like chopped green onions, shiitake mushrooms, or tofu to the rice cooker for extra flavour and texture.
• For an extra flavour boost, make a finishing sauce by combining smashed garlic, oil, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, and roasted sesame oil in a small saucepan. Simmer the sauce for a few minutes and drizzle it over the rice and sausage before serving.
• If you prefer your Chinese sausage sliced, you can cut the links into pieces before adding them to the rice cooker. Simply follow the same steps as above, and you'll have perfectly steamed, sliced Chinese sausage to enjoy with your rice.
• If you are cooking rice and sausage for more than two people, adjust the amount of rice and water accordingly. A good rule of thumb is to use 1 link of Chinese sausage per person.

Steaming Chinese sausage in a rice cooker is an easy and convenient way to prepare this delicious meat. With just a few simple steps, you can have a tasty and satisfying meal ready in no time!

How to steam other types of sausage in a rice cooker

Steaming sausages in a rice cooker is a great way to prepare a quick and tasty meal. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam different types of sausages in a rice cooker:

Preparing the Rice Cooker

First, prepare your rice cooker by removing the interior pot. Rinse the desired amount of rice a few times with water until the water runs clear. Then, fill the pot with water according to the rice cooker instructions or using the finger trick. This involves measuring the height of the rice by evening it out and sticking your finger into the rice. Add water until it reaches the same height as the rice on your finger.

Adding the Sausages

Now, it's time to add the sausages! For Chinese sausages (lap cheong), layer the links on top of the rice. You can also slice the sausages to make them fit nicely or for a finer chop, throw them into fried rice. If you are using pre-cooked sausages, it is recommended to prick holes in them to prevent them from exploding due to steam buildup.

For other types of sausages, such as smoked sausage or any variety you prefer, you can slice or cube them and add them directly to the rice cooker. You can also experiment with different proteins, such as SPAM, leftover rotisserie chicken, or eggs. Just be mindful of the cooking time, as more complex proteins like chicken may require longer cooking.

Cooking

Once you have added your sausages and any additional ingredients, it's time to cook! Simply close the lid and press the "cook" button or the appropriate setting for your rice cooker. The cooker will steam the rice and sausages together. The cooking time will depend on your rice cooker and the amount of rice you are preparing. For reference, a small 3-cup rice cooker might take about 20 minutes, while a larger cooker might take 30 minutes or more.

Serving

After the rice cooker has finished cooking, let it sit for a few minutes before opening. Be careful when handling the sausages as they will be hot. You can serve the sausages and rice together or slice the sausages and arrange them over the rice. If desired, you can also mix chopped green onions or other herbs and seasonings into the rice for added flavor and color.

And that's it! You now have a delicious and easy meal of steamed sausages prepared in your rice cooker. Enjoy your tasty creation!

How to steam sausage in a rice cooker without rice

Steaming sausage in a rice cooker without rice is a quick and easy way to cook up a tasty meal. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare Your Sausage

You can use a variety of sausages for this cooking method, such as Chinese sausage (lap cheong), cured meats like duck liver sausage or cured pork belly, or even tiny cubes of pre-cooked sausage. If you're using Chinese sausage, you can slice the links in half if you prefer smaller pieces. It is recommended to prick holes in the sausages if they are not pre-cooked, to prevent them from exploding due to steam buildup.

Step 2: Add Water to the Rice Cooker

Fill your rice cooker with water. The amount of water you need will depend on the size of your rice cooker and the number of sausages you are cooking. As a general rule, fill the rice cooker with water up to the marked line or use the finger trick by measuring the height of the sausages and adding enough water to match that level.

Step 3: Place the Sausages in the Rice Cooker

Layer the sausages on top of the water inside the rice cooker. You can also add other ingredients at this point, such as chopped green onions, mushrooms, tofu, or eggs. Just make sure not to add any fresh leafy greens, as they can make the sausages soggy.

Step 4: Cook the Sausages

Close the lid of the rice cooker and press the cook button or the appropriate setting for steaming. The cooking time will vary depending on the type and quantity of sausages you are cooking, but it usually takes around 20-30 minutes. If you are cooking pre-cooked sausages, they may take less time, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Step 5: Serve the Sausages

Once the sausages are cooked, carefully remove them from the rice cooker using tongs or a spoon as they will be hot. You can serve them as-is or slice them into bite-sized pieces before serving. Enjoy your steamed sausages!

How to steam sausage in a rice cooker with other ingredients

Steaming sausages in a rice cooker is a common method in Asia. It is a quick and easy way to cook a tasty meal, and you can add other ingredients to make it even more delicious and nutritious. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam sausages in a rice cooker with other ingredients:

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Gather your ingredients. For this recipe, you will need rice, Chinese sausage (lap cheong), and any other ingredients of your choice. Some suggested ingredients to add extra flavour and texture include:

• Chopped green onions
• Shitake mushrooms
• Tofu
• Sliced snow peas
• Diced onions
• Spices like onion soup mix
• Chicken stock or broth
• Eggs

Step 2: Prepare the Rice

Rinse the desired amount of rice with water a few times until the water runs clear. You can use a rice cooker cup to measure the amount of rice. A good rule of thumb is to use 2 cups of rice for 3 people. You can also use the "finger trick" to measure the amount of water. Simply stick your finger into the rice and add water until it reaches the same height as the rice. Alternatively, fill the rice cooker with water up to the line that corresponds with the number of cups of rice added.

Step 3: Add the Sausage and Other Ingredients

Place the Chinese sausage links on top of the rice. You can cut the sausages in half or into smaller pieces if you prefer. If you are using eggs, wash the eggs and push them down into the rice so they are submerged. You can also add any other ingredients you have chosen, such as chopped green onions, shitake mushrooms, tofu, or diced onions.

Step 4: Cook in the Rice Cooker

Close the lid of the rice cooker and turn it on. The cooker will steam the rice and sausages together, infusing the flavours of the sausages into the rice. Cooking time will depend on your rice cooker, but it usually takes around 20-30 minutes. The rice cooker should automatically stop when the rice is cooked.

Step 5: Serve

Once the rice cooker turns off, let it sit for 5-10 minutes before opening. Carefully remove the sausages and eggs as they will be hot. Slice the sausages and arrange them over the rice, or mix them into the rice along with the other ingredients. You can also sprinkle chopped green onions on top for added colour and flavour. Serve and enjoy!

How to steam sausage in a rice cooker: rice cooker vs. stovetop

Steaming sausages in a rice cooker is a quick and easy way to cook a tasty meal. This method is particularly popular in Asia, and it's a great way to add flavour to your rice. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it, with instructions for both a rice cooker and a stovetop.

Rice Cooker Method:

• Prepare your rice cooker by removing the interior pot.
• Rinse the desired amount of rice a few times with water until the water runs clear.
• Fill the pot with water according to the rice cooker instructions or using the finger trick. Simply measure the height of the rice along your finger, then add water until it reaches the same height on your finger when resting on top of the rice.
• Layer the sausages on top of the rice. You can use Chinese sausage (lap cheong), or any other type of sausage.
• Close the lid and press the "cook" button. The cooker will steam both the rice and the sausage at the same time!
• Once the rice cooker is done, let it sit for 5-10 minutes before opening.
• Carefully remove the sausages and slice them into your desired thickness.
• Fluff up the rice and scoop it into bowls. Top with the sliced sausages and enjoy!

Stovetop Method:

• Measure your desired amount of rice and pour it into a medium pot.
• Cover the rice with 2 inches of water and let it soak for 20 minutes.
• After soaking, drain the water. You should now have a pot of soaked rice.
• Measure out fresh water in the same volume as the rice and pour it into the pot.
• Add the sausages on top.
• Place the pot on the stove over medium-high heat.
• Once the water comes to a boil, turn the heat to low, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is fluffy.
• Slice the steamed sausages and serve with the rice.

Tips:

• You may want to prick holes in the sausages before cooking to prevent them from exploding due to steam buildup.
• For extra flavour, you can substitute chicken broth or stock for water when cooking the rice.
• If you're using Chinese sausage, there's no need to add salt or pepper as the sausage has enough flavour on its own.

Now you know how to steam sausages using both a rice cooker and a stovetop. Happy cooking!

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