I don't know why, but a rice cooker is my friend..and I can do without all kitchen machines. It is non stick, it always delivers. It saves time, just does. No need to really look after it. And yes, herbs and spices go in too. I always cook without measuring, I think if I had the time to dedicate one pot for rice it would work as well after a while, getting the estimation of volume and weight right. But we like the rice outa our rice cooker, it is lovely. OP - Fust Samurai. Magnifique.
If you're eating enough rice to consider investing in a rice cooker, you are probably what they call a "high consumer" of rice (relative to the European average) over at the BNF .
They say:
Takeaway: use high volume water to rice cooking. (Cook in lots of water till barely done, drain, fluff with a fork, leave covered for 5-10 minutes.)
i cook brown rice which takes around 45-50 minutes. rest of the meal may take only 15 to prepare. i'm not going to sit around twiddling my thumbs.
typically, i'll put on the rice cooker, then go out and do the shopping. the rice will be done or almost done when i'm back and i can take 10 mins to make the rest of the meal.
advantages: can leave/cook unattended, keeps warm, doesn't take space on hob
Part of the reason I use one is stove-top real estate. My not-so-cheap apartment cooker has only got three rings ffs. Bung the rice on ahead of time and forget. I can then concentrate on the other dishes and tempering the dal.
Specially if you eat rice for breakfast. Get up in early morning and wait 20 minutes before you can eat? People have their drip coffee maker on a timer.
PS: can you make porridge in those fancy Japanese cookers?
Why not invest in one of those 3x 1lt pot slow cookers...you can cook an entire meal this way, whilst you are out working, of course you can cook rice in one of them too.
Long-time rice cooker here, always have had dedicated unit until recently. Was convinced to try a cheap plastic microwave rice steamer, was very leery but after using it am converted. Small, perfect for 1-3 people, takes only 10-12 minutes for great rice plus can cook other stuff like lentils in it. Just have to be a bit careful when opening right out of the microwave due to release of steam if don't open correctly.
Suggest buy the better quality "Sistema" unit out of New Zealand for less than 20 Franc, don't think the no-names will hold up more than a couple times.
Glad to have one less electrical appliance in the cabinet. Good luck!
Manor (the department store) has a model on sale today. Regular price CHF 69.90 for only CHF 15.00 with free delivery (it seems?) if purchased from the website.
The OH only lets me sleep in the bed on the weekends.
On a serious note, I had seen the thread the other day and when I got the Manor advertising/sales material with the mail this morning I quickly looked at it and saw the rice cooker and for the price I thought I should share the info. My good deed for the day so to speak.