She Strengthens

Unlock the Power of Your Rice Cooker

The humble rice cooker has become an indispensable tool in many kitchens, and for good reason. It’s not just about cooking perfect plain white rice (although, let’s be honest, that’s a big part of it). With a rice cooker, you can easily whip up a world of globally inspired one-pot meals and side dishes that will take your cooking game to the next level.

The Art of Making Perfect Rice

Making rice isn’t as easy as it seems. Scorched rice, mushy rice, hard rice – we’ve all been there. But with a rice cooker, you can say goodbye to those pesky rice-cooking woes. Simply add the right ratio of water to rice, turn it on, and let the magic happen. And if you want to get really adventurous, try replacing white rice with healthier options like brown rice, black rice, or jasmine rice.

Global Inspirations

From Spanish rice to saffron-infused biryani, the possibilities are endless. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

• Spanish and Mexican Rice: Add a pinch of saffron to your Spanish rice for an extra burst of flavor. For a Mexican twist, try adding canned tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder.
• Jasmine and Coconut Rice: Cook white jasmine rice in coconut milk with flakes of dried unsweetened coconut for a creamy, aromatic side dish.
• Indian Coconut Milk Rice: Cook brown basmati rice with coconut milk, curry powder, and ginger for a flavorful base for grilled veggies.
• Korean Rice: Try making short-grain Korean rice with a special method of measuring the rice and water. Then, add kimchi and soy sauce for a spicy kick.

Biryani and Fried Rice

• Chicken Biryani: Fragrant with saffron, garlic, lemon, chiles, fresh mint, and cilantro, this Indian dish is a real crowd-pleaser.
• Egg Biryani: This veggie version of biryani is redolent of cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and mace. Eggs are the protein source here.
• Chinese Fried Rice: Yes, you can make a tasty, comforting pot of Chinese-style fried rice at home. And it’s actually a great leftovers dish!

Sticky Rice and Congee

• Basic Sticky Rice: Make sticky rice in your rice cooker and serve with sweet or savory sauces.
• Mango Sticky Rice: This classic Thai dessert is an at-home treat. Cook the rice with pandan for a delicious aroma and an Insta-worthy green hue.
• Rice Cooker Congee: This is total Chinese comfort food, a soft rice porridge topped with peanuts, fried garlic, scallion, pickled ginger, sriracha, and a soft-boiled egg.

Rice and Beans

• Caribbean Rice and Beans: Brown basmati cooks with red kidney beans, turmeric, thyme, and lots of garlic in this satisfying one-pot meal.
• Lazy Rice and Black Beans: It takes just 10 minutes to put all the ingredients in the rice cooker. Jasmine rice, canned black beans, and red bell pepper simmer with tomato, cumin, and coriander.
• Jamaican Rice and Peas: This coconut rice and beans dish is a favorite on Jamaican tables, and our Jamaican American friends grew up eating it at Thanksgiving along with the turkey.

The Bottom Line

Rice is endlessly versatile and is one of the world’s most universal foods. With a rice cooker, it’s easy to make a rainbow of globally inspired rice dishes. And to make any of them a bit healthier, try using brown rice. Move beyond plain old white rice and bring something spicy, colorful, and new to your dinner table!