Rice cookers are much more versatile than the name lets on.
Whether you're a rogue chef experimenting with new kitchen tools or a college student looking for a be-all and end-all appliance, this gadget might be everything you need and more.
Basic electric rice cookers work by heating liquid in an inner pot to steam or boil the contents. Then, once the rice cooker senses a certain temperature, it reverts to a low temperature "keep warm" function. The most basic rice cookers have just two settings: cook and keep warm. Some are more complex, with options for slow cooking and precisely adjusting the temperature. Others -- in our opinion, the ultimate rice cookers -- sing a song to you when your rice is ready.
Having a rice cooker is like having a little sous chef sitting on your counter. Just pile in the ingredients and leave it to do its thing -- it will turn off on its own, so there's no need to stand by to watch it.
Below, eight things you can make in a rice cooker that aren't rice.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Tampa Homebody
Use the steam basket that comes with your rice cooker to "hard boil" eggs. The eggs will take 20-25 minutes, depending on how you like them cooked.
Get the instructions from Tampa Homebody here. Oatmeal
Noshing with the Nolands
Depending on the oatmeal consistency you prefer,
you may have to experiment with the ratio of water to oats. Use the directions on the oatmeal packaging as a starting point, and once you find the perfect combination, the process can't be more simple.
Once you've measured your oats and water, pour them into the inner pot, stir to combine, turn the rice cooker on and wait for it to be done. Simple as that! Add in fruit and spices for a more exciting breakfast.
Get the Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal recipe from Noshing with the Nolands.Mashed Potatoes
J Shepherd via Getty Images
Steamed Vegetables
IvanMikhaylov via Getty Images
Most rice cookers come with a steaming basket, which is an easy way to consistently achieve steamed veggie perfection.
You can also
throw veggies on top of a batch of rice as it cooks for a healthy alternative to fried rice.
Chocolate Fondue
Kelly Sillaste via Getty Images
Melt down chocolate in your rice cooker for the
perfect pot of fondue. The warming function will keep the chocolate consistently melted and deliciously silky. Break out the skewers and let the dipping begin.
Macaroni and Cheese
Around My Family Table
This mac and cheese recipe is super easy (and cheesy). After you cook your pasta in the rice cooker and throw in the remaining ingredients, the magical gadget will do the rest of the work for you.
Get the One Pot Macaroni And Cheese recipe from Around My Family Table.Steamed Artichokes
m-imagephotography via Getty Images
First, prepare your artichokes by trimming the stems and spiky points from the leaves. Then, pour a cup of water into your rice cooker,
place two artichokes inside and let them steam for roughly half an hour. You'll know they are done when you can easily pull the leaves off of the artichokes.
Giant Pancakes
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9 Addictive Foods, According To Science
Chocolate(01 of08)
Open Image ModalPotato chips (tied with chocolate)(02 of08)
Open Image ModalFood Addiction Rating: 3.73
Tying for second place, chips are a snacker's best friend (or enemy, depending on how you see it). No one can eat just one. Research presented to the 2013 meeting of the American Chemical Society found that when given the choice between potato chips and their regular food, rats overwhelmingly chose potato chips, which had a marked effect on their brain behavior. The rats ate to excess for pleasure rather than for hunger, according to the study's main researcher, Dr. Tobias Hoch, Ph.D. Nutritionally, chips are loaded with fat. A serving of 30 chips will set you back 320 calories and a whopping 20 grams of fat. (credit:Shutterstock / Laborant)
Cookies(03 of08)
Open Image ModalIce cream(04 of08)
Open Image ModalFood Addiction Rating: 3.68
The creaminess is what draws you in, but it's also your undoing. By virtue of what ice cream is—cream and milk—it contains very high levels of bad-for-you saturated fat. That means eating ice cream regularly isn't great for your weight. One serving of Ben & Jerry's vanilla ice cream, for example, contains 230 calories and 14 grams of fat. (credit:Shutterstock / saddako)
French-fries(05 of08)
Open Image ModalCheeseburger(06 of08)
Open Image ModalSoda(07 of08)
Open Image ModalCake(08 of08)
Open Image Modal