Easy to use, healthy, and a quick dinner fix, an automatic rice cooker is hard to beat in the kitchen.
It should come as no surprise that the rice cooker is a common appliance in many American homes. When it comes down to it, nothing beats a rice cooker for quick wholesome healthy cooking on a budget. Read on to find out why you should own one of these versatile kitchen aids.
Healthy Cooking
Health conscious chefs know of the benefits of rice in the daily diet. A low cholesterol, and low fat food, brown rice is a source of vitamin B6, niacin, thiamine, and the mineral magnesium according to the Nutrition Data website. Be aware that the nutritional benefits of white rice are much less than brown rice. This is because the nutritional benefit of rice is diminished when the outer husk is removed.
Ease of Use
Nothing beats a rice cooker’s ease of use. Just add a cup of long-grain rice, a few cups of water, and a pinch of salt and push start. In 30 minutes a piping hot, freshly steaming batch of plump rice will be waiting for you ready to serve. If you need extra instruction, you can learn how to perfect your skills on our How to Cook Rice Perfectly page, or view the instructional video on the Learn How to Cook Rice blog post.
Inexpensive
Rice cookers can be found for as low as $18.00 online. Amazon.com’s Panasonic 3 cup rice cooker is an example. Basic models work just as well as higher end models, but without bells and whistles like steamer baskets, measuring cups, retractable cords, and durable nonstick coatings. Rice cookers at higher price points also feature larger capacities.
Versatile
Creative chefs have found many uses for the common kitchen rice cooker. You can find instructions and recipes on how to cook a variety of recipes such as beef stew, porridge, polenta, even chili sauces. You can find similar recipes and more in the Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook (Amazon.com) an excellent resource if you intend to make the most out of your rice cooker.
Rice Cookers: What to Buy
By now, the benefits of an automatic rice cooker should be clear. If you are looking for a rice cooker to buy, you shouldn’t need to look far. Most retailers stock rice cookers on their shelves, or you can find many excellent rice cookers from online retailers. The key things to look for are capacity, non-stick coatings, and optional timers and accessories. If you’re looking for a more in depth guide on what to purchase, refer to our Automatic Rice Cooker Buyer’s Guide.
