Creating a delicious curry requires the perfect pot to prepare it in. Rice cookers are especially ideal for making a great curry, as the pot helps to evenly steam and cook the rice, as well as keep it at an even temperature. A rice cooker is an important tool for any curry-connoisseur, so understanding the different types of options available and how to use them is key to making an amazing curry dish.

How to Choose the Right Rice Cooker for Curry

When choosing a rice cooker for making curry, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, the size of the rice cooker should match how much curry you usually make. If you are cooking for a large family, you should look for a larger cooker; whereas if you are cooking for two people, look for a smaller cooker. Secondly, consider the type of rice you usually use. Certain types of cooker are made specifically designed to optimise cooking performance depending on the type of rice used. Lastly, think about budget – a higher budget cooker will increase reliability and make cooking even easier.

Tips for Preparing Rice for Curry

Before putting the rice in the cooker, be sure to rinse the rice thoroughly. This removes the starch from the outside of the rice grains, ensuring that the rice cooks evenly. In addition, for further enhancing flavours, soak the rice in water for 30 minutes before cooking it in the rice cooker. This will help give it a stronger flavour when you serve it.

Benefits of Using a Rice Cooker for Curry

Using a rice cooker for curry is incredibly convenient and time efficient. There’s no need to watch over the pot at all times, as the rice cooker will take care of the temperature control and keep it at a consistent level. This is great when you need a break from cooking, or when you’re prepping a meal in advance. In addition, using a rice cooker creates delicious and fluffy rice all the time. Curry needs perfectly cooked, fluffy rice to truly shine, and a rice cooker can do this with absolute consistency.

The Different Types of Rice Cookers Available

There are many different types of rice cookers available, from affordable models to more advanced models. Basic models will simply turn on, cook and shut down once finished. On the other hand, more advanced options offer extras such as timer settings and pressure control. Timers allow you to set the cooker to start cooking at a different time, while pressure control ensures the perfect amount of steam is used when cooking.

Recommended Rice Cookers for Making Delicious Curry

For those looking for a great, budget-friendly rice cooker that is perfect for making curry, consider two popular models:

• Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1: This 7-in-1 multi-use programmable pressure cooker is capable of steaming, boiling, slow cooking, sautéing and more. It has 13 one-touch cooking functions and can cook up to 6 quarts of food – great for families!
• Zojirushi Micom Rice Cooker: The Zojirushi Micom Rice Cooker has extensive features and settings that allow for customization. It has an advanced artificial intelligence system that cooks each dish according to its type of grain and size, resulting in delicious and fluffy rice every time.

How to Use a Rice Cooker to Make Curry

Making curry in a rice cooker is incredibly easy! Once the ingredients are prepped and ingredients measured out, follow these steps:

• Add the correct amount of water (or broth) to the inner pot of the rice cooker.
• Add in the desired amount of pre-washed rice.
• Put in any other ingredients (e.g., vegetables or meat) that you are adding to the curry.
• Close the lid and press the “cook” button.
• Let the cooker cook until it’s done (usually about 20 minutes). Once done, release the pressure, fluff with a fork and serve with some nan or chapatti.

Troubleshooting Tips for Cooking Curry with a Rice Cooker

If your curry isn’t coming out perfect, here are a few troubleshooting tips:

• Reseasoning: Sometimes adding a bit more spice or herbs can make all the difference in flavour.
• Adding more liquid: If your curry looks dry, try adding more water or stock in order to add more moisture.
• Cooking longer: The texture and flavour of curry can often improve if cooked at a lower heat for longer.
• Using basmati rice: If you’re going for traditional flavours, using basmati rice as opposed to long grain is sometimes recommended.

Understanding the Different Settings on a Rice Cooker

Most modern rice cookers have a range of settings to choose from, depending on what type of dish you’re cooking. It’s important to understand which settings work best when making different types of food. Here are some common settings:

• White Rice: this setting works best when cooking fluffy white rice that can be used as a side dish.
• Brown Rice: this option is specifically tailored for brown rice. It allows for extra water absorption and slower cooking time.
• Stir Fry/Fry: this setting is perfect for making stir fries or other fried foods like vegetable pakoras.
• Soup/Stew: As its name implies, this setting cooks soups and stews perfectly.

Making Perfectly Fluffy Rice Every Time

Making perfectly fluffy and delicious rice every time is possible with a rice cooker. In order to achieve perfect results follow these tips:

• Make sure you always use the correct ratio of water to rice when adding it to the cooker.
• Let the pot come up to pressure before starting timer.
• Allow the rice to sit for 5 minutes after it’s finished cooking.
• Fluff with a fork and serve!