Rice Cooker Hack: Steam Meals With Ease

Rice cookers are not just for cooking rice. With a steam basket, you can steam tender and flavourful vegetables, meats, and even dumplings at the same time as cooking rice, saving time and counter space. This can also enhance the nutrients and flavour of your rice. To steam food in a rice cooker, add an inch or two of water to the cooker, insert a steamer basket, and place your food in a single layer in the basket. Close the lid and start the rice cooker. If your rice cooker has a steam setting, use that; otherwise, press the regular rice-cooking button and check the food periodically.

Using a rice cooker to steam vegetables

Next, add the recommended amount of water to your cooker—usually 2 or 3 cups. Then, prepare your vegetables. Vegetables should be cleaned and cut before steaming. Place the vegetables in the steam basket, ensuring they are in a single layer. If you are steaming vegetables with stiff skin, like squash or pumpkin, place them in the basket with the flesh side down. Close the lid of the rice cooker and start the cooking cycle.

Rice cookers with a single button will need to be monitored and vegetables checked periodically for doneness. More advanced models may have a steaming function that can be set for specific increments of time. Depending on the type of vegetable, steaming should take between 5 to 15 minutes.

You can also steam vegetables over the rice as it cooks, but this works best with small batches of rice, as there may not be enough room in the cooker for both. Some vegetables steam more quickly than others, so be selective. For example, cauliflower florets can be steamed alongside white rice, but brown rice takes twice as long to cook. If you want to steam denser vegetables like carrots, you may need to slice them thinly or shred them.

If you don't have a steamer basket, you can still steam vegetables in a rice cooker. You can use a small trivet, a small bowl or plate, or a sheet of foil as a platform for your vegetables. Alternatively, place a bowl or colander in the rice cooker along with the water and steam your vegetables in that, or use a wire-mesh strainer and cover the top of the rice cooker with a clean kitchen towel to trap the steam inside.

Steaming meat in a rice cooker

Preparation

Clean and prepare the meat of your choice. You can use chicken breasts, pork chops, beef cuts, or any other meat you prefer. Season the meat with salt, pepper, herbs, spices, or marinades according to your flavour preference.

Add Water

Fill the inner pot of the rice cooker with the appropriate amount of water. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for the recommended water level. The water level should be below the steamer basket or tray to prevent the meat from being submerged.

Place the Meat

Arrange the seasoned meat on the steamer basket or tray. Make sure they are placed in a single layer and not overcrowded to ensure even cooking. If you are cooking meat or fish in your steamer, always use foil to keep the flavours from seeping into the rice during the steaming process.

Start Steaming

Close the lid of the rice cooker and turn it on. Set the timer based on the thickness and type of meat you are steaming. As a general guideline, steam chicken breasts or pork chops for about 15-20 minutes, while thicker cuts of beef may require longer cooking times.

Check for Doneness

After the recommended cooking time, carefully open the lid and check the internal temperature of the meat using a meat thermometer. The safe internal temperature for chicken is 165°F (74°C), while pork and beef should reach 145°F (63°C) for medium doneness. If it’s not fully cooked, simply close the lid and continue steaming for a few more minutes.

Serve and Enjoy

Once the meat is cooked to your desired level of doneness, carefully remove the steamer basket or tray from the rice cooker. Let the meat rest for a few minutes before slicing or serving. Enjoy the moist, succulent, and well-seasoned results of your steamed meat.

How to steam food without rice in the pot

Rice cookers are incredibly versatile and can be used for steaming food without rice in the pot. Here's how to do it:

Firstly, check your rice cooker's manual for specific instructions and measurements. If your rice cooker has a steam basket, you're good to go! Add the recommended amount of water to the cooking pot.

Prepare your food of choice. If steaming vegetables, clean and cut them into similar-sized pieces. For foods with stiff skin, like squash or pumpkin, place them in the basket with the flesh facing down. If steaming meat or fish, always use foil to prevent the flavours from seeping into the rice cooker.

Place the food in the steam basket, ensuring you don't overcrowd it so that steam can escape properly. Then, place the steam basket on top of the cooking pot, close the lid, and start the cooking cycle.

The cooking time will vary depending on the type of food and the toughness of the ingredients. Vegetables usually take around 5 to 15 minutes to steam, while meat may require a hotter temperature and longer cooking time. It is recommended to monitor the temperature of meat with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches a safe cooking temperature.

And that's it! You can now enjoy perfectly steamed food without having to use a separate appliance.

Using a rice cooker to steam chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start by cleaning and preparing the chicken. If you are using chicken pieces, consider bone-in options for better flavour. If you are using a whole chicken, remove the giblets and excess fat. You can also cut the chicken into smaller pieces to reduce the steaming time.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

This is your chance to get creative with flavours! Massage your choice of seasonings and spices into the chicken to ensure even distribution. You can use a mix of garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, or any other seasonings you prefer. If you have time, you can also marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes before steaming to add extra flavour to the dish.

Step 3: Place the Chicken in the Rice Cooker

Place the seasoned chicken into the rice cooker basket or pot. If your rice cooker has a steaming compartment or tray, you can use that. If not, you can use a metal or heatproof bowl placed on top of the rice.

Step 4: Add Water and Start Steaming

Add enough water to the rice cooker to create steam. A general rule of thumb is 1 cup of water per 2 pounds of chicken. Close the lid and set the rice cooker to the steam or cook function. The cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces. For chicken pieces, steam for about 20-30 minutes, and for a whole chicken, cook for approximately 60-90 minutes.

Step 5: Check Doneness and Rest the Chicken

Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the rice cooker. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving to let the juices redistribute, resulting in more tender and juicy meat.

Tips:

• If you prefer crispy skin, transfer the steamed chicken to a baking sheet and broil it in the oven for a few minutes until the skin turns golden brown and crispy.
• You can also steam vegetables or herbs along with the chicken to infuse additional flavours and create a well-rounded, nutritious meal.
• Always refer to your rice cooker's user manual for specific instructions and guidance on steaming chicken.

How to steam frozen vegetables in a rice cooker

Steaming frozen vegetables in a rice cooker is a simple and convenient way to prepare a healthy side dish. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare Your Rice Cooker

First, check if your rice cooker has a steam basket. Most rice cookers come with a steamer basket, but if yours doesn't, you can order one online or make your own using aluminium foil and a disposable pie pan. Once you have the steamer basket, add the recommended amount of water to the inner pot of your rice cooker, usually about 2 cups.

Step 2: Prepare Your Frozen Vegetables

You can steam almost any type of frozen vegetable. There is no need to thaw them first; simply take them straight from the freezer. To ensure even cooking, cut any large vegetables into similar-sized pieces. Avoid overcrowding the steamer basket by filling it only halfway. If you are cooking for a crowd, you may need to steam the vegetables in batches.

Step 3: Start Steaming

Place the steamer basket on top of the inner pot, add your frozen vegetables, and close the lid. If your rice cooker has a "Steam" button, press it. If it's a basic one-button model, just press that button, and the cooker will switch to "keep warm" mode once the water has boiled. If your cooker has a steaming function, you can set a specific time. Depending on the type of vegetable, steaming should take around 5 to 15 minutes.

Step 4: Check for Doneness

After the recommended steaming time, carefully open the lid and check if your vegetables are cooked to your desired doneness. Use a knife or fork to test them. If they need more time, close the lid and continue steaming.

Step 5: Season and Serve

Once your vegetables are cooked to your liking, open the lid and season them with salt, pepper, herbs, butter, or oil to enhance their flavour. Then, serve and enjoy!

Tips:

• Refer to your rice cooker's user manual for specific instructions and steaming times.
• Experiment with different combinations of vegetables and seasonings to find your favourite flavours.
• Try steaming other foods in your rice cooker, such as meat, dumplings, potatoes, apples, or pears.

Frequently asked questions