Using an electric rice cooker to cook rice is a very simple and effective way to obtain an excellent result. Many risotto models are built to keep the rice warm once it is cooked. Using this method, it will not be necessary to control the cooking process since, after setting the timer, the pot will do everything by itself completely automatically. Below you will find the instructions for cooking rice in an electric rice cooker and you can definitively say goodbye to burnt risotto, or ruined pots. If you encounter any difficulties, please refer to the troubleshooting section.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Cook the Rice
Step 1. Measure a cup of rice and pour it into the cooking compartment
Most of the rice cookers are made up of a sort of removable bowl or pot, while other models require the rice to be placed directly inside them. In addition, most of the time, the rice cookers are sold accompanied by a measuring cup with a capacity of 180 ml to dose the rice. Alternatively, use the scale to determine the weight.
A cup of uncooked rice, once cooked, increases in volume from one and a half to three times, depending on the variety of the rice itself. Take this factor into consideration to prevent the risotto from overflowing from the appliance
Step 2. Rinse the rice if necessary
Many people prefer to wash it to remove residues of pesticides, herbicides or contaminants. In addition, less modern grinding procedures can break the grains causing excessive starch release. In this case, washing is necessary to prevent the formation of lumps. If you decide to rinse the rice, pour drinking water into the bowl containing the rice or place it directly under the tap. Stir the rice as you add the water and leave the cereal completely submerged. Drain everything in a sieve or tilt the bowl slowly blocking the rice on the edge with one hand. If the water is not clear, do a second or third rinse until the water appears clear.
- In some states, by law, rice must be enriched with iron, niacin, thiamine or folic acid powder; all these nutrients are lost with rinsing.
- If your rice cooker has a non-stick bowl, wash the rice in a colander several times beforehand. Spare parts for non-stick bowls are very expensive.
Step 3. Measure the amount of water
Most household appliances recommend using cold water. The amount depends on the type of rice and how soft you want it. Often, inside the rice cooker there are reference marks to know the level that the rice and water must reach; alternatively there will be instructions attached in the package. Below you will find guidelines that vary according to the type of rice; remember that you can always make adjustments if you prefer a softer or firmer risotto.
- Long grain white rice: 420 ml of water for 240 ml of rice.
- Medium grain white rice: 360 ml of water for 240 ml of rice.
- Short grain white rice: 300 ml of water for 240 ml of rice.
- Long grain brown rice: 520 ml of water for 240 ml of rice.
- Parboiled rice (not partially cooked at home): 480 ml of water for 240 ml of rice.
- Indian rices such as Basmati or Jasmine require less water because they have to be drier. Do not use more than 360ml of water for 240ml of rice. Keep a 1: 1 ratio only if you have previously washed the cereal. You can also add bay leaves or cardamom pods to add flavor.
Step 4. Leave the rice to soak for 30 minutes if you want
It is not a mandatory step, but many people do it to reduce cooking times. However, be aware that the rice will be more sticky. Use the same amount of water you measured earlier to soak the rice at room temperature. Do not change the water for cooking.
Step 5. Add flavorings (optional)
You can put them in water before starting the rice cooker, so the rice will absorb the flavors in cooking. Many people add some salt at this point, as well as butter or oil. If you want to make perfect Indian-style rice, you can choose a few cardamom seeds or bay leaves.
Step 6. Remove the rice grains from the edges and place them below the water level
Use a wooden spoon or plastic utensil to transfer all of the rice into the water. The beans that remain out of the water will burn during cooking. If water overflows from the edge, dry the outside of the rice cooker with a tea towel.
You don't have to mix the rice that is underwater, or it will release too much starch and the end result will be too sticky or lumpy
Step 7. Check the instructions of your rice cooker if it has any special settings
Some models have a simple on / off button, while others are enriched with special functions for brown rice, white rice or have a delayed start timer. If you have a rice cooker with few and basic functions, you will hardly run into problems, but it is always worth checking the manual.
Step 8. Cook the rice
If your model has a removable cooking pot, put it back on the electric base (after filling it with rice and water) and turn on the power switch. In some appliances the button makes a 'click' and goes out once the rice is cooked. In others, the rice will stay hot until you unplug it.
- Do not lift the lid to check the rice. The cooking process depends a lot on the steam that accumulates in the rice cooker, so if you let it out with repeated openings of the lid you will get a little cooked rice.
- The appliance switches off automatically when the internal temperature exceeds the boiling point of the water (100 ° C at sea level). This doesn't happen until the water turns into steam.
Step 9. Let the rice sit for 10-15 minutes before removing the lid (optional)
This is not a mandatory indication, but a rest period is often recommended, in some models it is even an automatic function. Unplug the rice cooker or disconnect the cooking pot from the base to minimize the amount of rice that will stick to the pot.
Step 10. Inflate the rice and serve it
Once there is no more water inside, the risotto is ready to eat. With a fork or other utensil, mix the rice to break up any lumps and to prevent the rice from overcooking.
If the rice is not ready, read the 'Troubleshooting' section
Part 2 of 2: Troubleshooting
Step 1. If the rice is soggy, reduce the amount of water on the next attempt
Try using 30-60ml less water for every 240ml of rice. This way a shorter cooking time is needed and there will be less liquid to absorb.
Step 2. Add more water and cook the rice on the stove if it is raw
If you get dry or chewy rice, transfer it to a pot on the stove with 30ml of water. Cook it covered for a few minutes with the steam that develops inside the pan.
- If you put the rice back in the appliance and add water, you could burn it or the rice cooker may not turn on.
- Next time, add 30-60ml of extra water for every 240ml of rice before turning on the rice cooker.
Step 3. If rice burns frequently, remove it immediately as soon as it is cooked
The rice cooker does not burn the rice while it is cooking but the "heating" function does. Then remove the rice from the appliance as soon as you hear the final 'click' (or when the heating function light comes on).
- In some models, you can turn off the heating function but, in this case, you will have to eat it immediately or store it in the refrigerator to avoid food poisoning.
- If you are cooking rice with other ingredients, they may burn. Next time, avoid any sugary ingredients and cook them separately. Do the same with any other ingredient that tends to burn.
Step 4. Find a way to use overcooked rice
Broken, mushy grains can still be tasty when incorporated into the right recipe. Consider these ideas for masking soft texture:
- Fry the rice to remove excess moisture.
- Turn it into a dessert with milk.
- Add it to soups, baby food for babies or meatballs.
Step 5. Adjust the cooking according to the altitude you live at
If you are above 900m of altitude, you will notice that the rice tends to be undercooked. If that's the case, add another 30-60ml of water for every 240ml of rice. The low atmospheric pressure typical of altitude causes the water to boil at lower temperatures, so the rice needs more time to cook. The more water there is in the rice cooker, the longer it remains in operation.
Refer to the instruction booklet or contact the manufacturer if you cannot find the correct additional amount of water. This varies according to the altitude
Step 6. Manage leftover water
If water remains in the rice cooker after cooking, the appliance may be faulty and should be replaced. To solve the problem immediately, drain the water and if the rice seems well cooked, serve it. If not, turn the rice cooker on again and wait for the water to be reabsorbed.
Step 7. Finished
Advice
- Use a non-stick spoon when stirring the rice after cooking (to make it soft and puffy), this way you won't scratch the bottom of the rice cooker. The ideal is to use a plastic rice spatula, normally supplied with the rice cooker. In any case, to prevent the rice from sticking to the spatula, wet it lightly in cold water (this little trick will also work for your fingers).
- For the health conscious, it can be interesting to add brown rice to the mixture. Brown rice has a more robust texture than regular rice, as well as having a much higher nutritional value. You can also add beans if you wish, but only after soaking them overnight.
- Computerized rice cookers work best with a small amount of rice, as they can determine how well it is cooked more accurately.
Warnings
- Do not overfill the rice cooker, otherwise, when the contents come to a boil, it could overflow, creating a lot of confusion.
- If, after cooking, the rice cooker does not keep the rice hot automatically, keep it in the refrigerator or consume it immediately to avoid food poisoning due to 'Bacillus cereus'.
