5 Ways to Transform Your Electric Rice Cooker into a Versatile Kitchen Appliance

A single-use kitchen gadget? Who enjoys that!? If you’re anything like me, you don’t want to waste valuable kitchen storage space on utensils and devices that only serve one purpose. A few days ago, my pal gave me a rice cooker. Initially, I was captivated by how delicately it prepared my rice. However, I began to ponder if I could utilize it for more than just rice. As I delved into the cooking possibilities, I was pleasantly surprised by its adaptability! It might be unexpected, but you can prepare numerous delicious meals with it! Interested in learning more? Well, you should be! Keep reading to discover 5 unexpected things you can cook in your rice cooker and transform it into a versatile kitchen gadget!

Here Are 5 Unexpected Things You Can Cook In Your Rice Cooker:

1. Veggie Pilaf

Were you aware that besides rice, you can also whip up delightful vegetable pulao in your rice cooker? Simply sauté your preferred vegetables in some clarified butter, cumin seeds, and whole spices directly in the rice cooker. Then add rice, water, salt, and a hint of turmeric for that lovely color and let this device work its magic! The outcome? Steaming hot, flavorful rice cooked with minimal effort. Moreover, since the rice cooker gently cooks the pulao, the vegetables maintain their crispness and nutrients while the rice absorbs the fragrance of the whole spices! It’s ideal for a one-pot meal on hectic evenings!

2. Dumplings

Who can resist a platter of piping hot, steamed momos? And guess what? You can easily create them with your rice cooker. Just prepare the dumpling filling with minced vegetables or meat, and encase them in thin dough sheets. Fill the rice cooker pot with an inch of water, ensuring it doesn’t touch the steamer rack. Then carefully place the wrapped dumplings on the steamer rack. Activate the steam function. In approximately 20 minutes, you’ll have flawlessly steamed dumplings ready to be savored!

3. Spiced Omelette

Indeed, you can concoct a spiced omelette in your rice cooker! Beat together eggs with diced onions, tomatoes, green chilies, and cilantro. Pour this mixture into the rice cooker bowl, add a drizzle of oil or butter, and shut the lid. The gentle warmth of the rice cooker will evenly cook the omelette, giving it a tender and fluffy texture. This makes for a perfect breakfast option, particularly when you wish to avoid the hassle of stovetop cooking.

4. Lentil Curry

If you reside alone and can’t locate (or forgot to clean!) your pressure cooker, your electric rice cooker can rescue you when preparing lentils. It’s incredibly convenient and straightforward. In your rice cooker pot, combine soaked legumes, water, turmeric, and salt, and mix. Allow it to cook until the lentils are tender and mushy. Create a tempering with clarified butter, cumin seeds, garlic, and red chilies. Once the lentils are cooked, drizzle the tempering over them and mix well. Voilà!

Bonus Tip: Transform it into a one-pot meal by including soaked rice with the lentils during cooking. In no time, you’ll have a piping-hot bowl of lentil rice to enjoy!

5. Decadent Chocolate Cake

Craving something sugary? Your electric rice cooker can aid you in crafting a delectable chocolate cake swiftly! Prepare a basic cake batter using flour, cocoa powder, sugar, eggs, and butter. Pour the batter into a greased baking pan (add some chocolate chips for an extra burst of flavor!) Add a bit of water to the pot and steam for around 15-20 minutes. The outcome is a luscious, gooey cake with oodles of molten chocolate. It’s a simple dessert you can surprisingly create with your rice cooker!

Can you recommend any other meals you can prepare in your rice cooker? Share your thoughts in the comments below!