Steaming Veggies: Rice Cooker's Healthy, Tasty Surprise

Rice cookers can be used for much more than just cooking rice. They can also steam vegetables and meat. If your rice cooker has a steam basket, you can steam vegetables at the same time as cooking rice to save time and counter space. Vegetables that can be steamed in a rice cooker include kabocha squash, corn, carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, and green beans. The steaming process is simple and can be done in less than 30 minutes with minimal preparation.

How to steam vegetables in a rice cooker

Rice cookers are not just for cooking rice. They can also be used to steam vegetables, either on their own or at the same time as cooking rice. Here's how to do it.

Prepare your rice cooker

First, check that your rice cooker has a steam basket. If it does, you're good to go. If it doesn't, you can make your own steamer basket out of aluminium foil. To do this, take a piece of foil that's almost twice the width of your rice cooker, fold it in half, and then in half again. Poke 10 to 15 holes through the layers of foil with a fork, then unfold it and place it in your rice cooker so that it sits about half an inch down. Cut off any excess foil and make sure the lid still closes easily.

Prepare your vegetables

Vegetables should be cleaned and cut before steaming. If you're steaming vegetables with stiff skins, like squash or pumpkin, place them in the basket with the flesh side down. If you're steaming vegetables with rice, prepare the rice first, following your usual method.

Add water

Pour water into the cooking pot of your rice cooker. If you're steaming vegetables on their own, use the amount of water recommended in your rice cooker's manual. If you're steaming vegetables with rice, use the amount of water you would normally use to cook that amount of rice.

Add the vegetables

Place your steamer basket on top of the cooking pot, and add your vegetables to it. If you're steaming vegetables with rice, place the basket on top of the inner pot, then put the veggies inside.

Start the cooking cycle

Close the lid of your rice cooker and start the cooking cycle. If your rice cooker has a steaming function, use that. If it's a one-button rice cooker, just press the button and check the vegetables periodically. If you're steaming vegetables with rice, use the cycle appropriate for the type of rice you're cooking.

Check the vegetables

If you're steaming vegetables with rice, open the rice cooker about halfway through the cycle and check the vegetables. If they're fork-tender, remove the steamer basket and let the rice finish cooking. If they need more time, close the lid and check again later in the cycle.

Serve

When the vegetables are cooked, serve them on a plate or in a bowl. You can add your favourite dressing or sauce, or just enjoy them as they are.

Vegetables that can be steamed in a rice cooker

Rice cookers can be used for much more than just cooking rice. They can also be used to steam vegetables, meat, and dumplings or fruit. Steaming vegetables in a rice cooker is simple and can be done in a few easy steps.

Firstly, add an inch or two of water to your rice cooker, and then insert a steamer basket. If your rice cooker didn't come with a steamer basket, you can make your own using aluminium foil. Simply tear off a piece of foil that's almost twice the width of your rice cooker, fold it in half and then in half again, poke 10-15 holes through the layers of foil with a fork, unfold the foil, place it in your cooker, and cut off any excess.

Next, place your vegetables in a single layer in the steamer basket. Vegetables with stiff skin, such as squash or pumpkin, should be turned flesh-down. You can also place the vegetables directly on top of your rice if you don't have a steamer basket.

Then, close the lid and start the rice cooker. If you have a one-button rice cooker, just press it and check the vegetables periodically. If you have a more advanced rice cooker, there may be a steaming function that can be set for specific increments of time. Depending on the vegetables, this should take about 5 to 15 minutes.

Some examples of vegetables that can be steamed in a rice cooker include:

• Kabocha squash or other types of pumpkin
• Corn
• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Shiitake or button mushrooms
• Green beans or French beans
• Broccoli
• Asparagus
• Cauliflower
• Corn on the cob
• Zucchini

Steaming vegetables with rice

Steaming vegetables in a rice cooker is a simple and convenient way to prepare a healthy meal. Here is a step-by-step guide to steaming vegetables with rice:

Preparing the Rice Cooker

Before you begin, check your rice cooker's instruction manual for specific steaming instructions and timings. Most rice cookers have a steam basket accessory, which is ideal for steaming vegetables. If yours doesn't have one, you can create your own steamer basket using aluminium foil, as described later in this article.

Preparing the Vegetables

Wash and cut your chosen vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Almost any vegetable can be steamed, but some popular options include carrots, potatoes, pumpkin or squash, corn, green beans, and mushrooms. Vegetables with stiff skins, such as squash or pumpkin, should be placed flesh-side down in the steamer basket.

Cooking the Rice and Vegetables

First, prepare the rice in your rice cooker as you usually would. If you want to steam the vegetables at the same time as cooking the rice, place the steamer basket on top of the inner pot, ensuring it sits above the water level. Add your chosen vegetables to the basket and close the lid.

If your rice cooker has a steaming function, select this setting. Otherwise, simply start the cooking cycle as normal. For most vegetables, steaming will take between 5 and 15 minutes, so check the progress periodically. You can also refer to your rice cooker's instruction manual for specific cooking times.

Checking for Doneness

After about halfway through the cooking cycle, open the rice cooker and check the vegetables. If they are tender and can be easily pierced with a fork, they are likely done. If not, close the lid and continue cooking, checking again later in the cycle.

Serving

Once the vegetables are cooked to your liking, remove the steamer basket and replace the lid to allow the rice to finish cooking. When the rice is ready, serve both together for a tasty and nutritious meal. You can also add a drizzle of olive oil, soy sauce, or your favourite dressing or sauce to enhance the flavour.

Customisations

You can customise your steamed vegetables and rice by experimenting with different seasonings and ingredients. For example, try substituting water with chicken, beef, or vegetable broth for added flavour. Additionally, if you don't have a steamer basket, you can place the vegetables directly on top of the rice to cook, or create your own steamer basket using aluminium foil as follows:

Take a piece of aluminium foil that is almost twice the width of your rice cooker. Fold it in half and then in half again. Use a fork to poke 10-15 holes through the layers of foil. Unfold the foil and place it over the rice cooker, gently pushing it in until it sits about half an inch down. Cut off any excess foil, ensuring the lid can still close easily.

Making a steamer basket

Many rice cookers come with a steam basket, which can be used to steam vegetables at the same time as cooking rice. This saves time and counter space, and can also enhance the nutrients and flavour of your rice.

If you're not sure if your rice cooker has a steaming function, check the instruction manual. The manual should also give you hints regarding steaming times, which will vary depending on the type of vegetable you're cooking.

If your rice cooker didn't come with a steam basket, you can use a heat-proof colander or steamer basket from another appliance. You can also use a bamboo steamer, placing it over a wok or large pan with 1-2 inches of gently simmering water.

To make a steamer basket out of bamboo, you'll need to find bamboo with natural fibres, as these will prevent the rice from sticking to the sides of the basket. The steamer basket will look like a funnel, and you'll need to ensure it fits snugly on top of the pot.

When steaming vegetables in a rice cooker, add 1-2 inches of water to the rice cooker, then insert the steamer basket. Place the vegetables in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they're not overcrowded so that steam can escape. Close the lid and start the rice cooker. Depending on the type of vegetable, they should be steamed in 5-15 minutes.

How long to steam vegetables in a rice cooker

Steaming is a great way to cook vegetables as it preserves their nutrients, texture, and flavour. You can steam vegetables in a rice cooker in less than 30 minutes with minimal prep work.

To steam vegetables in a rice cooker, add an inch or two of water to the rice cooker, then insert a steamer basket. Place the vegetables in a single layer in the steamer basket. Close the lid and start the rice cooker. If your rice cooker has a steaming function, you can set it for certain increments of time. If it does not, check the vegetables periodically to see if they are tender and done to your liking. Depending on the type of vegetable, steaming should take about 5 to 15 minutes.

If you are steaming vegetables with rice, add the vegetables part-way through the rice cooking cycle. Smaller vegetables will take 3-6 minutes, medium ones 8-10 minutes, and larger pieces 13-16 minutes.

You can steam a variety of vegetables in a rice cooker, including:

• Kabocha squash or pumpkin
• Corn
• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Shiitake or button mushrooms
• Green beans or French beans
• Broccoli
• Turnips
• Sweet potatoes
• Fennel

Frequently asked questions