Steaming Yams In A Rice Cooker: A Quick Guide

Steaming yams in a rice cooker is a convenient way to prepare a tasty and nutritious meal. Yams, also known as taro, are starchy root vegetables commonly used in Chinese and Asian cuisines. They have a distinct nutty flavour and offer various health benefits, including high fibre content and an abundance of vitamins. Preparing yams in a rice cooker is a straightforward process that yields fluffy and fragrant results. This method is ideal for those without a rice cooker who wish to cook rice, yams, or other foods like pumpkin, potatoes, and chicken.

Yam rice prep: 30 minutes, cook time: 20 minutes

Yam Rice: Prep 30 minutes, Cook Time 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of jasmine rice
• 300g of Asian yam/taro, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 60g of dried shrimps
• 10 dried shiitake mushrooms
• 3 tablespoons of cooking oil
• 300g of boneless chicken or pork loin, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 6 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 2 cups of liquid from soaking mushrooms and dried shrimp
• 1 tablespoon of shaoxing wine
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon of dark soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
• 1 stalk of green onion, finely chopped
• Fresh coriander leaves
• Crispy fried shallots

Method:

• Prep 30 minutes: Marinade the meat with wine and soy sauce. Mix and stir all the ingredients for the seasonings and set aside. Wash the rice in several changes of water until it runs clear. Drain off the water completely. Wash the dried shrimp and soak in water for 10 minutes. Soak the shiitake mushrooms in warm water for 15-20 minutes or until they are soft and plump. Cut into thin strips.
• Cook 20 minutes: Preheat a large skillet or wok and add cooking oil. Add onion and garlic and saute for about 3 minutes. Add dried shrimp and saute for another minute. Add shiitake mushrooms and stir fry for another minute. Add the chicken or pork and taro pieces and saute until the meat turns opaque in colour (but is not cooked through yet). Add the rice and seasonings followed by the liquid from soaking the mushrooms and dried shrimp (a total of 2 cups of liquid – use the same cups you use to measure your rice). Stir to mix everything and transfer to a rice cooker. Let it cook on the white rice setting (about 20 minutes). Wait for 10 minutes after it's done cooking and then fluff the rice.
• To serve: Garnish the yam rice with fried shallots, chopped green onion and cilantro leaves.

Wash rice several times and drain

When preparing yams in a rice cooker, it is important to wash the rice several times and drain it thoroughly. This step ensures that the rice is clean and free of any debris or residue before cooking. Here is a detailed guide on how to do this:

• Start by measuring the desired amount of rice. For a standard rice cooker, you will typically use a cup or two of rice. Place the rice in a bowl or container that can be easily washed and drained.
• Rinse the rice with clean, cold water. Use your hands or a spoon to gently agitate the rice, ensuring that each grain is thoroughly coated and washed. This step helps remove any excess starch on the surface of the rice, which can make the cooked rice sticky or clumpy.
• After rinsing, carefully drain the dirty water. You can use a fine-mesh strainer or a colander with small holes to ensure that the rice doesn't slip through and go down the drain.
• Repeat the rinsing and draining process several times. It is generally recommended to wash rice at least three times to ensure it is thoroughly cleaned.
• Once you have washed and drained the rice for the final time, you can leave it soaked in clean water for a few minutes if you prefer softer rice. However, this step is optional and depends on your personal preference for rice texture.
• Finally, drain the rice thoroughly once more, ensuring that all excess water is removed. Your rice is now ready to be added to the rice cooker along with the yams and other ingredients.

By following these steps, you will ensure that your rice is properly washed, drained, and prepared for cooking in your rice cooker. This process helps create a delicious and fluffy batch of rice to accompany your steamed yams.

Add water to the inner pot

To steam yams in a rice cooker, you'll need to add water to the inner pot. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Before adding water, it's important to prepare the yams. Peel and cut the yams into small cubes, aiming for a size of about 1-inch. This ensures the yams cook evenly and can be easily managed.
• Now, let's add water to the inner pot. The amount of water added will depend on the number of yams and the size of your rice cooker. As a general rule, the water should not completely cover the yams. Adding too much water can lead to mushy yams or rice.
• Place the inner pot inside the rice cooker, ensuring it is securely fitted.
• If you're cooking plain yams without rice or other ingredients, simply add the yams to the inner pot after adding water. However, if you're preparing a yam rice dish, the process is a bit different.
• For yam rice, you'll need to stir-fry the yams with other ingredients like pork, chicken, or vegetables before adding them to the rice cooker. In a separate wok or skillet, heat some cooking oil and stir-fry the yams along with your desired ingredients.
• Once the yams and other ingredients are partially cooked, it's time to transfer them to the rice cooker. Place the stir-fried mixture into the inner pot, ensuring it is evenly distributed.
• At this point, you can add any additional water if needed. Remember, the water level should not submerge the yams or other ingredients.
• Secure the lid of the rice cooker and turn it on. Select the appropriate cooking setting, usually the white rice setting, and let the cooker do its magic.
• The cooking time will vary depending on the quantity of yams and rice, but on average, it should take around 20 minutes.
• Once the cooker indicates that the cooking is complete, do not open the lid right away. Allow the yams and rice to settle for about 10 minutes. This helps ensure that the dish is properly cooked and gives the flavors time to meld.
• After the settling period, gently open the lid and give the dish a stir. Be careful not to over-stir, especially if you have added yams, as they can break up easily.

And there you have it! Steamed yams or delicious yam rice cooked to perfection in your rice cooker. Enjoy your flavorful and healthy meal!

Place yams in the steam pot

When placing yams in the steam pot, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to note that yams should not be rinsed with water after peeling, as this will make the surface slimy and difficult to handle. Instead, use a brush to clean the yams as best as you can before peeling.

Once the yams are peeled, you can cut them into cubes. The size of the cubes may depend on your preference. For example, if you are cooking for children, you may want to cut them into larger chunks so they can easily pick them out, as mentioned in one source. However, if you are cooking for adults or those who enjoy yams, you can cut them into smaller, bite-sized pieces.

After cutting the yams, it is a good idea to stir-fry them before placing them in the steam pot. Heat some oil in a wok or skillet and add the yams, stirring occasionally, until they are partially cooked. This will take around 5 minutes. Then, remove the yams from the wok and set them aside.

In addition to stir-frying the yams, you can also add other ingredients to the wok, such as dried shrimp, meat, and mushrooms. These ingredients will add flavour and texture to your dish. Stir-fry these ingredients until they are fragrant, and then add the partially cooked yams back into the wok.

Finally, it is important to note that the water in the steam pot should not cover the yams. Adding too much water will result in mushy yams. Therefore, be sure to add just enough water to cook the yams thoroughly.

Select 'Multi-cook' and push the 'Pressure Cook/Turbo' button

Now that you've got your yams and rice cooker ready to go, it's time to get cooking!

First, pour 2 cups of water into the inner pot of your rice cooker. Place the steam pot inside the inner pot, and put your yams on top.

Next, select 'Multi-cook' on your rice cooker, and push the 'Pressure Cook/Turbo' button. You'll need to set the time for Multi-cook for 35 minutes.

Your rice cooker will now work its magic! Once the cooking is complete, remember to be careful as the yams will be hot. Enjoy your delicious steamed yams!

Frequently asked questions