I love my rice cooker. It’s one of my best friends in the kitchen, which is ironic because I used to think they were stupid.
This is a very cheap rice cooker. Soon I will be upgrading to a very nice one, but we bought this one as a tester a little over a year ago to see if we would actually use it. See, I always thought they were for lazy people. I thought, “Hell, I’m a rice cooker.” Pot + lid + rice + water + me =rice cooker. Ah, but I was foolish. Rice cookers, yes, can be for lazy people, but they are also for perfectionists. Being the Virgo that I am, I can readily appreciate the consistent perfection this little unit turns out with every batch. Fluffy, soft, never burnt on the bottom or soggy like my pots always were. And you don’t have to play the guessing game, poking around with a fork, not trying to disturb the surface while wondering, “Is it done? A few more minutes?”
And oddly enough, I have only made rice in it once. We usually make quinoa, sometimes millet and I’ve made wild rice a couple of times. I’m hope to experiment more with it this winter. But for now, my love affair with quinoa continues.
My favorite way to make dinner is to get home, pop some quinoa into the cooker, do yoga and then when I get into the kitchen dinner is halfway done. Excellent…
This bowl was inspired by the BBQ and Brussels bowl at Bye and Bye. I made BBQ chickpeas, garlic roasted brussel sprouts atop a layer of perfectly fluffy quinoa, topped with a sprinkle of Parma. This is the kind of food that makes me deliriously happy it’s autumn.
As a sidenote, suppose you’re interested in buying my book (and I swear that I’m not trying to turn this blog into an infomercial for my book. the shameless self-promo is winding down, I promise) but you also need some vegan jerky, makeup or marshmallows… head on over to Cosmos Vegan Shoppe, which is a one-stop shop for all the vegan goodies you can cram in your mouth. Yum…
19 Responses to ode to my rice cooker
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I love my rice cooker, too! It plays twinkle twinkle little star when it starts up. And it’s one less thing I have to worry about when I’m making the other parts of the meal.
Twinkle, twinkle little star?! That’s awesome.
I used to think rice cookers were stupid, too, until I had rice cooked in one. And bread makers, too. I know better now!
Hahaha–that is what I always say too–“*I* am a rice cooker!” It isn’t because I think they are for lazy people, though…I am just frugal (okay, cheap)
Courtney
To be honest, because we didn’t know if we’d use it, we got ours off Craigslist for $20. I’ve cooked far more than those $20 out of it!
$20 isn’t bad…I will have to keep an eye on Craigslist
That bowl of food looks scrummy. Never used a rice maker before but I am remarkably awesome at cooking rice for some reason. Not to blow my own trumpet or anything but it is a natural skill I have.
Now a bread maker is a totally different ball game…
Happy Mofo’ing!
I miss having a ricecooker. Life was so easy then. That food looks delish, by the way!
I love my rice cooker…well my old rice cooker.
I think I bought mine at target for about $20 new.
It was wonderful. One cup rice, two cups water, click, Rice!
Even if I forgot I was cooking, 3-5 hours later the rice was goodish
Must buy one next time I’m at target…..
P.s. I also am incredibly frugal and the thought of not overcooking uncountable batches of rice is worth $20 for me
That’s the perfect thing you need for cooking now, Ben. You don’t need to think about it and the food just appears.
I used to have a rice cooker but when I broke up with my ex he got to keep it…tragic!
Anyway, your badges arrived in the mail today…they are SO cute
Yay! Glad they got there in one piece. I was hoping the bubble wrap would do the trick, I don’t think the post office likes me sending them
BBQ chickpeas? That sounds delicious! I’ve got to try it next time I make chickpeas.
oh, rice cookers! me and the roommate finally got one after yearning for one for months. i’ve not been making money so i couldn’t see spending money on one and…not sure why she didn’t feel like she could…but anyways! we got one for free from a friend and we’re so pysched. we haven’t used it yet b/c it didn’t come with directions and there’s not really any modes on it. just off and on. i totally SUCK at making rice so i can’t wait!
Ours didn’t have directions either, but we just use the same ratios you would stove top and press on. Work’s like a charm!
I hate my rice cooker. I assumed they all sucked, but maybe it’s just mine. Now I’m wondering if I should upgrade!
I want that bowl for lunch. It is perfect is every way!
I just found your bloggy and I love it! How in the world do you make quinoa in a ricecooker? I’ve had a bag sitting the pantry for a couple months, staring at me. I want to try it but I’m scared I won’t cook it right and it will be nassy and then I won’t eat it again. I have a Aroma, too, but it is silver and only has a White and Brown rice setting. Help!? PS- Kittehs rock. 8 of them adopted us… do you need any?
Hey there! Sorry for taking forever to respond.
Quinoa has the same ratio as rice when cooking it, so 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups water. I use a little less water, though, to make sure it’s fluffy. I use more like 1 cup water to 1 7/8 cup water. Just rince your quinoa before using it and you should be good to go! It’s so delicious!