Steaming With An Old Rice Cooker: A Creative Guide

Rice cookers are incredibly versatile appliances that can be used for much more than cooking rice. With a steam basket, you can steam tender and flavourful vegetables simultaneously as your rice cooks, saving time and counter space. Steaming vegetables in a tray above your rice can also enhance the nutrients and flavour of your rice. You can even steam meats such as chicken, beef, and fish in your rice cooker, though it's important to use foil to prevent the meat flavours from seeping into the rice. To get started, simply add water to your rice cooker, insert the steamer basket, and place your vegetables or meat inside.

Steam vegetables

Steaming vegetables in an old rice cooker is an easy and convenient way to prepare a healthy meal. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Step 1: Prepare the Rice Cooker and Vegetables

Firstly, check your rice cooker's instruction manual to ensure it has a steaming function. If it does, prepare the steamer basket or tray by adding an inch or two of water to the rice cooker's inner pot. Then, clean and cut your chosen vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Vegetables with stiff skins, like squash or pumpkin, should be placed flesh-side down in the basket. You can also add herbs or spices to the water for extra flavour.

Step 2: Arrange the Vegetables in the Basket

Place the prepared vegetables in the steamer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. This allows steam to circulate and cook the vegetables evenly. If you are cooking multiple types of vegetables, you can arrange them in layers, placing denser vegetables like carrots or potatoes at the bottom and more delicate ones like mushrooms or green beans on top.

Step 3: Start the Steaming Process

Close the lid of the rice cooker and turn it on. If your rice cooker has a steaming function, select that setting. If it is a one-button rice cooker, simply press the button and periodically check the vegetables for doneness. Depending on the type of vegetables, they should take around 5 to 15 minutes to cook.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Once the vegetables are tender, carefully remove them from the steamer basket and transfer them to a serving plate or bowl. Season with salt and pepper, or your favourite dressing or sauce. You can also drizzle olive oil or soy sauce for added flavour. Enjoy your freshly steamed vegetables as a healthy and delicious side dish!

Tips and Variations:

• Experiment with different types of vegetables like pumpkin, turnip, sweet potato, or fennel.
• For a richer flavour, use butter instead of olive oil, or replace water with chicken or vegetable broth.
• If cooking rice alongside the vegetables, add the vegetables part-way through the rice cooking cycle to ensure both are ready at the same time.
• If using a steamer basket, ensure it is not overcrowded to allow steam to escape properly.

Steam meat

Steaming meat in an old rice cooker is a great way to save time and space in the kitchen. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do it:

Firstly, check your rice cooker's instruction manual to see if it has a steam function. Most rice cookers with a steam basket or tray can be used for steaming. The size of the cooker will dictate how much food you can steam.

If you plan to steam meat, it is important to use a steam rack or tray to avoid the meat touching the bottom of the rice cooker, which could lead to burning or a malfunction. You can place the meat on a plate or bowl that fits inside your rice cooker, ensuring it is elevated above the water level.

When steaming meat, it is crucial to monitor the temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches a safe cooking temperature. Chicken and other poultry should reach a minimum of 165°F (73.5°C), while beef and pork should reach at least 145°F (62°C).

You can cook meat and rice together in the rice cooker, adding the rice, water, and seasoned meat to the cooker. The pressure and steam will cook both the meat and rice. However, ensure the meat is in thin slices or pieces to cook evenly.

Alternatively, you can steam fish or meat by first pouring water into the rice cooker, using 2 cups (500ml) of water for fish and 2½ cups (625ml) for chicken, pork, or beef. Then, place the seasoned meat on the steam rack and turn on the cooker. Remember to set a timer to avoid overcooking the meat, as the cooker will only turn off once the water has evaporated.

Another option is to cook braised meat or meat stews in your rice cooker. Turn on the cooker to the 'cook' function, and once hot, sauté any vegetables or meat. Then, add the liquid and cover with a lid to cook the dish thoroughly. You may need to add more water or liquid for this method.

Steam food without rice

You can steam food without rice in your rice cooker by adding water to the cooking pot and placing food in the steamer basket.

First, pour the recommended amount of water into the cooking pot. Then, add your food to the steamer basket. Place the steamer basket on top of the cooking pot, close the lid, and start the cooking cycle.

The amount of steam time depends on the amount of food in the steamer basket. Smaller pieces of food will steam faster than larger pieces, so be sure to cut food into similar-sized pieces.

You can steam a variety of vegetables and meats without rice. For vegetables, clean and cut them before placing them in the basket. Vegetables with stiff skin, such as squash or pumpkin, should be turned flesh down. For meats, always use foil to keep the flavours from seeping into the rice.

It is important to monitor the temperature of meat with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches a safe cooking temperature. Chicken and other poultry should reach at least 165°F, while beef and pork must be cooked to at least 145°F.

Steam food with rice

Steaming food with rice is a great way to cook a complete meal with minimal mess. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it using an old rice cooker:

Firstly, check if your rice cooker has a steam basket. This handy feature allows you to cook more than just rice. If you're unsure, refer to the instruction manual or look for a separate steam tray or basket that may have come with your cooker. The presence of a preset steam setting also indicates that your cooker can be used for steaming.

Now, let's prepare the rice. Rinse the rice once or twice with cold water to get rid of any debris or extra starch. The amount of rinsing required depends on how sticky you want your rice to be. If you're using US-produced white rice, be aware that it may be enriched with powdered nutrients, which can be washed away if rinsed too many times. After rinsing, drain the water and add fresh water to the rice according to your preferred ratio. A common ratio is 1:1 for medium-grain rice, but you can adjust this slightly depending on how sticky or fluffy you like your rice.

Next, we'll prepare the food for steaming. Cut your chosen ingredients into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. For vegetables with stiff skin, like squash or pumpkin, place them flesh-down in the steam basket. If you're steaming meat or fish, always use foil to prevent the flavours from seeping into the rice.

Now, it's time to start cooking! Place the steam basket on top of the cooking pot, ensuring it fits securely. Then, add the measured rice and water to the cooking pot. Close the lid and turn on the cooker, following the specific instructions for your model. If your rice cooker has a steaming function, set it according to the instructions. If not, simply press the main power button.

Keep in mind that steaming times will vary depending on the type of food you're cooking. Vegetables will usually take between 5 to 15 minutes, while rice cooks in around 20-30 minutes. To perfectly time both parts of your meal, you can add the vegetables part-way through the rice cooking cycle.

Once the cooking cycle is complete, let the rice sit in the cooker for about 5-10 minutes with the lid closed. This allows the moisture to distribute evenly throughout the grains. Then, open the lid and use a rice paddle to fluff up the rice before serving.

And that's it! You've successfully steamed food with rice using your old rice cooker. Enjoy your delicious and nutritious meal!

Use a kitchen timer when steaming food with rice

Using a kitchen timer when steaming food with rice is a great way to ensure your meal is cooked to perfection. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do this effectively:

Firstly, it is important to understand the cooking times for the food you are preparing. Rice usually takes around 20-35 minutes to cook, depending on the type of rice and the method used. For example, white rice in a rice cooker takes around 35 minutes, while the stovetop method takes about 25 minutes. Vegetables, on the other hand, steam-cook much faster, typically taking between 5 to 15 minutes depending on the variety.

When using a rice cooker with a steam basket, you can cook your rice and steam vegetables simultaneously. To ensure both are cooked perfectly, add the vegetables to the steam basket partway through the rice cooking cycle. For example, if your rice takes 30 minutes to cook and your vegetables take 10 minutes, add the vegetables to the steam basket after the rice has been cooking for 20 minutes.

If you are steaming meat or fish, it is important to monitor the temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches a safe cooking temperature. Chicken and poultry should reach at least 165°F, while beef and pork must be cooked to at least 145°F. Experiment with cooking times, as some meats require hotter temperatures than others.

When steaming food with rice, it is crucial not to overcrowd the steam basket to allow steam to escape properly. Cut larger vegetables into sections to fit properly in the basket, and cook in multiple batches if necessary.

By using a kitchen timer and following these instructions, you can ensure that your rice, vegetables, and meat are all cooked to perfection.

Frequently asked questions