There are a number of rice steamer recipes, which are not just rice recipes. Since one can make mess-free meals with a rice cooker, this kitchen appliance has become a necessity in every kitchen.
A rice steamer is said to be every cook's best friend. It is also known as rice cooker or crock-pot. Not only is one able to cook perfect steamed white rice, but also make one-pot meals with ease. Steamed food becomes a popular choice in summer, when people do to want to cook a meal, which is easy and does not heat up the kitchen.
There is an added advantage of using rice steamers or steaming as the process involved for cooking shortens. The advantage is that it is the least intrusive of all the cooking techniques. The color, texture, and flavor of food remains closer to the natural color, texture and flavor.
Added to it, more nutrients are retained, in this type of cooking and also it is lower in fat and calories, which makes the food more healthy. There are numerous rice steamer recipes, which you can use to make the dish of your choice.
Rice steamers automate the process of cooking, by mechanically or electronically controlling heat and timing. The rice steamer may not necessarily speed up the cooking process, but it does reduce the cook's involvement in cooking.
It is only the correct amount of water, which the cook has to use in his rice recipes. Once the rice steamer is started it will cook the dish without having to make any changes.
Cantonese Steamed Chicken
Ingredients
Chinese dried mushrooms 4-6 (do not throw away the soaking liquid)
Chicken pieces with bones, 1½ pounds
Salt, ¼ teaspoon
Soy sauce, 1½ tablespoons
Rice wine, 1 tablespoon
Sugar, 1 teaspoon
Sesame oil, 1 teaspoon
Cornstarch, 1½ tablespoons
Ginger (shredded) 1 tablespoon
Spring onion (diced) 1
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Method
Soak the mushrooms in warm water for 20 minutes, till they have softened.
Then, squeeze out excess water, cut the stems off the mushrooms and slice them thinly.
Reserve the soaking liquid.
Cut the chicken into bite size pieces.
In a mixing bowl, place the chicken pieces, add salt, pepper, soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, sesame oil, 1 tablespoon of soaking liquid and cornstarch and mix well.
Let the chicken marinate, till you bring water to a boil for steaming the chicken.
Place the chicken pieces, along with the marinade in middle of the bowl and surround them with mushrooms.
Sprinkle ginger and spring onion on top.
Place the bowl in the steamer and let the chicken steam for 15-20 minutes, till the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
Serve this chicken over rice.
Pasta in Rice Steamer
Ingredients
Vegetable or chicken broth, 2 cups
Tomato sauce, 1 cup
Salt, ¼ teaspoon
Olive oil, 1 teaspoon
Dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon
Cheese, 2 tablespoons
Uncooked penne, 2 cups
Method
Put the broth in the rice steamer and add tomato sauce, olive oil, salt, oregano, cheese, and penne to the broth.
Stir all the ingredients and check if more salt is required. The quantity of salt will be dependent on the cheese you choose to use.
Close the lid, switch on the rice steamer.
Let the pasts cook, till the cooker turns off.
Open the steamer stir once and close the lid again for 2-3 minutes before you serve it.
Adventurous cooks will certainly enjoy experimenting with rice steamer recipes. Different ingredients can also be added to rice or pasta to make interesting meals. Most of the people who own rice steamers swear by this kitchen appliance for their ease of use and the time and effort they save.