A one-use kitchen appliance? Who likes that!? If you’re anything like me, you don’t want to waste precious kitchen storage space on tools and equipment that only cook one thing. A few days ago, my friend gifted me a rice cooker. At first, I was mesmerized by how tenderly it cooked my rice. But then I wondered if I could do more with it. As I explored the cooking options, I was pleasantly surprised by its versatility! It might surprise you, but you can cook so many delicious dishes in it! Curious to know more? Well, you should be curious! Read on to learn 5 amazing things you can cook in your rice cooker and make it a versatile kitchen appliance!
Also read: Are spices losing their taste? 5 ways to store spices properly
Photo Credit: iStock
Here are 5 surprising things you can cook in your rice cooker:
1. Vegetable Pulao
Did you know that apart from rice, you can also make delicious vegetable pulao in your rice cooker? Simply sauté your favourite vegetables with a little ghee, cumin seeds and whole spices directly in the rice cooker. Then add rice, water, salt and a pinch of turmeric to give it a beautiful colour and let this appliance work its magic! The result? Hot, delicious rice cooked with minimal effort. Plus, since the rice cooker cooks the pulao slowly, the vegetables retain their crispness and nutrition while the rice infuses the aroma of the whole spices! It’s the perfect one-pot meal on busy evenings!
2. Momo
Who doesn’t love a plate of hot, steamy momos? And guess what? You can easily make them in your rice cooker. Simply fill the momos with minced vegetables or meat and wrap them in a thin dough sheet. Fill the rice cooker pot with an inch of water, making sure it doesn’t touch the steamer tray. Next, gently place the wrapped momos on the steamer tray. Turn on the steam function. In about 20 minutes, you’ll have perfect steamed momos ready to eat!
3. Masala Omelette
Yes, you can make a masala omelette in your rice cooker! Whisk eggs with chopped onions, tomatoes, green chilies and coriander leaves. Pour this mixture into the bowl of the rice cooker, add a little oil or butter and close the lid. The gentle heat of the rice cooker will cook the omelette evenly, making it soft and fluffy. This is a great option for breakfast, especially when you want to avoid the hassle of stovetop cooking.
Photo Credit: iStock
4. Dal Tadka
If you live alone and can’t find your pressure cooker (or haven’t washed it!), your electric rice cooker can help you make dal. It’s so convenient and easy. Add soaked dal, water, turmeric and salt to your rice cooker pot and mix well. Let it cook until the dal is soft and mushy. Prepare the tempering using ghee, cumin seeds, garlic and red chillies. Once the dal is cooked, pour the tempering over it and mix well. And it’s ready!
Bonus tip: Make it a one-pot meal by adding soaked rice along with the dal while cooking. In no time, you will have a hot bowl of dal rice to eat!
5. Chocolate Cake
Are you craving something sweet? Your electric rice cooker can help you make a delicious chocolate cake in no time! Prepare a simple cake batter using flour, cocoa powder, sugar, eggs, and butter. Pour the batter into a greased baking pan (add some chocolate chips to enhance the flavor!). Add some water to the pot and steam for about 15-20 minutes. The result is a delicious, gooey cake with melted chocolate. This is an easy dessert that you can make surprisingly easily with your rice cooker!
Also read: How to use these 5 herbs in your kitchen for weight loss
Can you suggest some other recipes to cook in your rice cooker? Let us know in the comments below!