[CH] Rice Cooker
Blake Olson (blakeo@flash.net)
Mon, 22 Nov 1999 21:04:51 -0600
I love rice and have looked at the cookers several times but the
concept always ends seeming silly.
It's another electrical appliance
It won't make rice any better than a decent saucepan.
It's harder to clean.
You have to store it or,
it takes up room on the counter.
The single advantage it has, as far as I can see, is that it is easier
to keep the rice warm and in an edible state for a longer time.
Try the 'knuckle/15' method of cooking rice and see if you don't
agree.
Get a saucepan with a tight fitting lid. Put however much rice in it
as you think you want. Fill it with water the depth of one knuckle over
the rice. (...usually the second knuckle, or about 3/4") Bring it to a
boil, reduce the heat as low as it will go, cover it, and cook it for 15
minutes. Turn the heat off at 15 minutes, leave the lid on, and the
stuff will still be piping hot 10 minutes later.
There are a hundred variations on this involving sautéed onions or
chiles, various stocks, saffron, etc. The basic recipe, however, will
work every time so long as you try to keep the size of the pan within
reason. I.e, don't use a 2-quart pan to cook ½ cup of rice.
I constantly fight for counter space and I don't think a rice cooker
is very decorative or easy to store.
Blake in San Antonio
Mailto: blakeo@flash.net