Unlocking the Secrets to Flavoring Rice in Your Rice Cooker

Cooking rice on the stove can be effective, but let's face it: using a rice cooker makes everything simpler. By removing the constant need to stir and the worry of burning the bottom, the whole process becomes much more pleasant and stress-free. All it takes is adding rice and water to the cooker, pressing a button, and fluffing the rice when it's finished—it's really that easy. This handy kitchen device also simplifies the task of adding flavor to your food. Just remember to put your seasonings in the rice cooker at the beginning of the cooking process, allowing the grains plenty of time to absorb all those delicious flavors.

Whether you use broth, butter, dried herbs, or olive oil, you'll notice a major difference when you incorporate them before the food has been cooked as opposed to after. Even Gordon Ramsay agrees and abides by this rule when seasoning rice; if you wait until it's fully cooked, your flavors won't blend completely into the grains, which will make for an unimpressive result. Whatever you decide to season it with — even if it's just a bit of salt and pepper — simply add it before you begin the rice cycle, and cook the rice as usual.

The type of rice you select will also affect the outcome. It's better to choose a long-grain variety, like jasmine or basmati. They're less likely to get soggy after seasonings are added to them. You could also use brown rice, but be aware that it cooks slower than white rice because of its bran layer, which means it takes longer to absorb water.

Considering the right seasonings to enhance your dish is crucial. One easy method to infuse flavor into white rice is by placing a bay leaf in the rice cooker. While the taste is mild, it enriches the overall flavor profile. Additionally, incorporating whole cardamom pods can further elevate the taste of your rice.

If cardamom and bay leaves are too subtle for your liking, feel free to get a little adventurous with the seasoning. Before you begin the rice cycle, try throwing in some garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and parsley, making sure it all gets well-incorporated in the water-rice mixture. We also like using chopped up, fresh herbs, like rosemary, dill, and basil. If you want to really give your rice a flavor boost, use a chicken or vegetable broth instead of water. This is the easiest way to add extra flavor to your rice even when you're short on fresh herbs.