Flavorful Rice Cooker Dishes from Around the World
1. Spanish Paella
Originating from Valencia, Spain, paella is a beloved dish that marries seafood, meats, and saffron-infused rice. In a rice cooker, you can easily replicate this vibrant dish. Start by sautéing onions, garlic, and bell peppers using the cooker’s sauté function. Add arborio rice and toast it for a few minutes before mixing in diced tomatoes, chicken or seafood broth, and a pinch of saffron. Layer in shrimp, clams, and peas before steaming. The key to authentically flavored paella lies in letting the rice absorb all the flavors, creating a delicious socarrat at the bottom.
2. Indian Biryani
Indian biryani is a fragrant, spiced rice dish often made with marinated meat or vegetables. To make chicken biryani in a rice cooker, marinate chicken pieces in yogurt, garlic, ginger, and spices like cardamom and cloves. Sauté onions until golden brown in the rice cooker, then layer the marinated chicken and partially cooked basmati rice. Add fried onions, boiled eggs, and fresh herbs. Pour chicken broth over and cook until the rice is fluffy and infused with aromatic flavors.
3. Japanese Donburi
Donburi translates to “bowl” in Japanese, and it’s essentially a rice bowl topped with various ingredients. For a simple oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl), start by cooking sushi rice in the rice cooker. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine dashi stock, soy sauce, and mirin, then add thinly sliced chicken and onions. Once cooked, pour beaten eggs over and cook until just set. Serve the mixture over the steamed rice, garnishing with scallions for an umami-packed meal.
4. Thai Coconut Curry Rice
Incorporating coconut milk into rice dishes can elevate flavors and create creamy textures. For Thai coconut curry rice, add jasmine rice, coconut milk, and vegetable broth to your rice cooker. Mix in a tablespoon of red curry paste and your choice of vegetables, such as bell peppers and snap peas. Cooking the mixture together brings out the natural sweetness of the coconut and the spices from the curry. Top with fresh basil and lime zest for an aromatic finish.
5. Chinese Fried Rice
Fried rice is a popular dish not only in China but across the globe. For a classic version in your rice cooker, prepare the rice ahead of time and chill it, which helps to prevent mushiness. In the cooker, sauté chopped garlic and ginger, then add the pre-cooked rice, soy sauce, peas, diced carrots, and scallions. Push the rice to the sides, crack in an egg, and scramble until cooked. This method achieves that necessary smokiness without needing a hot wok.
6. Caribbean Jollof Rice
A staple in West African and Caribbean cuisine, Jollof rice is known for its rich, tomato-based flavor profile. Begin with sautéing onions, bell peppers, garlic, and tomatoes in the rice cooker before adding long-grain rice. Season with thyme, bay leaves, and scotch bonnet peppers for heat. Pour in chicken or vegetable broth and let the cooker work its magic. Complete the dish with fried plantains for a sweet contrast.
7. Italian Risotto
Traditionally made by slowly adding broth to starches, making risotto in a rice cooker is an easier option. Start by sautéing onions and garlic in olive oil, then add arboreal rice and toast it. Gradually stir in vegetable or chicken broth, allowing the rice to absorb it slowly. Mix in seasonal vegetables like asparagus or mushrooms for flavor and finish with Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of truffle oil.
8. Mexican Arroz Verde
Arroz verde, or green rice, is a vibrant Mexican dish made with cilantro and jalapeños. In your rice cooker, blend fresh cilantro, jalapeños, and garlic with vegetable or chicken broth to create a puree. Stir the mixture into the rice along with lime juice; this gives the rice a beautiful green hue and zesty taste. Serve with grilled chicken or fish for a complete meal.
9. Korean Bibimbap
Bibimbap is a mixed rice dish that includes vegetables, protein, and gochujang (Korean chili paste). Cook brown rice in the rice cooker until perfectly fluffy. While that’s happening, sauté a combination of spinach, mushrooms, and carrots separately. Assemble by layering the rice, sautéed vegetables, and a fried egg on top. Drizzle with sesame oil and a spoonful of gochujang for a hearty and satisfying meal.
10. Persian Tahchin
Invoking fragrant saffron and yogurt, Persian tahchin creates a beautiful and flavorful rice dish. Mixing yogurt, saffron, and spices with rice provides a rich flavor. Layer chicken marinated in saffron and spices underneath the rice in the cooker. Once cooked, turn the tahchin out onto a platter to reveal a crispy golden crust, a delicious contrast to the tender rice.
11. Greek Lemon Rice Soup (Avgolemono)
Soup lovers can embrace avgolemono, a classic Greek dish. Using the rice cooker, combine water, rice, and chicken broth. Cook until the rice is soft. Meanwhile, whisk together eggs and lemon juice. Once the rice is cooked, temper the egg mixture by adding a ladle of warm broth, then stir it back into the pot. This creates a creamy yet tangy soup that’s perfect for any occasion.
12. Malaysian Nasi Lemak
Nasi lemak is a traditional Malaysian dish known for its fragrant coconut rice served with various accompaniments. In your rice cooker, combine jasmine rice and coconut milk, cooking it until fluffy. Serve the rice alongside sambal, peanuts, boiled eggs, fried anchovies, and cucumber for a complete meal that bursts with flavor and texture.
13. Burmese Mohinga
Mohinga is a flavorful fish soup often eaten for breakfast in Myanmar. In the rice cooker, combine fish with lemongrass, ginger, garlic, and onion in fish stock. Once the flavors are melded, add rice noodles and season with lime juice and fish sauce. Garnish with boiled eggs, cilantro, and fried garlic for a comforting dish that’s surprisingly easy to make.
14. Filipino Sinangag (Garlic Fried Rice)
Sinangag is a Filipino version of fried rice, characterized by the heavy use of garlic. In your rice cooker, cook jasmine rice first. Once that’s done, sauté loads of minced garlic until golden. Mix the garlic into the rice with a splash of soy sauce and a drizzle of sesame oil to create a fragrant side dish, perfect with any grilled meat.
15. Russian Plov
Plov is a rich rice dish often featuring lamb, carrots, and spices. In your rice cooker, start by sautéing diced lamb until browned. Add sliced onions and julienned carrots, cooking until soft. Stir in basmati rice, cumin, and broth, letting it cook until fluffy. The unique blend of spices and meats results in a deeply satisfying dish that can serve a crowd.
16. Sri Lankan Rice and Curry
For a quick version of the classic Sri Lankan rice and curry, cook white rice in the rice cooker while preparing yellow lentils, or dal, with turmeric, curry leaves, and coconut milk on the stovetop. Serve the rice with accompanying vegetable curries, typically made with eggplant or potatoes, seasoned with chilies and cumin.
By utilizing a rice cooker, you can explore the diverse global culinary traditions linked through the common theme of rice. All these dishes allow for flexibility and creativity while maintaining their authentic flavors, making them perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
