Do you own a Zojirushi cooker? Are you wondering how to use it for cooking basmati rice?
I purchased a Zojirushi rice cooker just a few months ago. I was planning a huge feast for my birthday and wondered if I could just cook basmati rice inside it. However, the risk was huge! What if it came out all sticky?
Since I was short on time, I went ahead with the Zojirushi idea, and here is what I discovered.
You can use Zojirushi for cooking basmati rice. The rice cooker has a “White Rice” cooking option that works well with basmati rice. All you have to do is soak and wash the rice, add 1 ½ cups of water, and let it cook.
Can You Make Basmati Rice in Zojirushi?
Zojirushi rice cookers work wonders. It also cooks basmati rice to perfection! I was left in awe when I read that it uses AI and Fuzzy Logic technologies to cook rice.
These technologies allow the rice cooker to adjust its cooking settings, like temperature, according to the rice variety. It also maintains the temperature so that your rice is not undercooked or overcooked.
Since I received my Zojirushi, cooking basmati rice has become a breeze. Below are some reasons why:
1. No Monitoring Required
Basmati rice takes longer to cook than other rice varieties. Sometimes, I hate checking the cooking pot every few minutes to see if it has cooked.
If you use Zojirushi, you can just add the rice and water to the rice cooker and let it cook. No monitoring is required since the rice cooker alerts you when the basmati rice is done.
I also use the “Timer” feature of the rice cooker. It allows you to delay the cooking start time to schedule when you want your rice to be ready.
For instance, if you want the rice ready by 9 p.m., press the “Timer” button and select the time. It will begin cooking the rice accordingly.
2. Perfect Reheating
The best part about Zojirushi is that the rice cooker allows you to reheat basmati rice properly.
Generally, you have to sprinkle some water on the rice and microwave it for reheating. This method is quick, but it may dry the rice a bit and leave some grains cold due to uneven heating.
From my experience, Zojirushi does an excellent job of reheating. It keeps the moisture intact, warms every grain of rice, and ensures that it is as fresh as new.
3. Successful Results
If you are a newbie at cooking, you might not know when the basmati rice finishes boiling; you may take it out a little early or too late. Both scenarios will lead to undercooked or overcooked basmati rice.
A Zojirushi rice cooker eliminates these risks and alerts you once the rice is ready to eat! The one thing you should remember is to add a proper amount of water.
How to Make Basmati Rice in Zojirushi?
You can cook all types of rice in Zojirushi, including basmati rice. Below are the instructions for cooking basmati rice to perfection in this rice cooker.
Step 1: Soak Your Basmati Rice
Soaking rice in water for a few minutes removes the extra starch from the outer layer.
Although basmati rice does not have excessive starch content, you should still soak it in water for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
You will see that the water turns cloudy due to the dissolved starch.
Step 2: Wash the Rice Until Water Turns Clear
After soaking the rice, drain and rinse it under tap water twice. This step will make sure that your rice turns fluffy after cooking!
If you want to be extra cautious, soak the rice in water again.
Once the water is clear, move on to the next steps. However, if the water turns cloudy again, some starch is left. You need to rinse the rice until the water is clear.
Step 3: Add the Rice to the Zojirushi Cooking Pan
In this step, transfer the rice to your Zojirushi cooking pan. Then, add one and a half cups of water to one cup of basmati rice.
I love how the cooking pan comes with cup measurements inside. You will find the measuring lines for different types of rice grains in the rice cooker itself.
Ensure that you check the measurement line of “White Rice” for basmati rice.
I remember one time, adding less water than the recommended measuring line. Unfortunately, my basmati rice turned out hard in the center! Similarly, if you add too much water, it may turn soggy. Just make sure to follow the rice cooker’s recommendation.
Step 4: Adjust the Settings and Let It Cook
After adding the rice and water, put the cooking pan in the rice cooker and close the lid.
You must choose the “White Rice” cooking setting for basmati rice. Press the “Start” button and let the rice cooker do its magic! The rice will take 40 to 50 minutes to cook.
Once finished, the rice cooker immediately switches to “Keep Warm” mode. I suggest keeping the basmati rice inside the cooker for 10 more minutes to rest.
Step 5: Fluff the Rice
Before you serve the rice, check that it is cooked properly. Use a wooden spoon or fork to fluff the basmati rice well.
That is all you have to do to cook basmati rice in a Zojirushi rice cooker!
Reheating Basmati Rice in Zojirushi
As I mentioned earlier, you can use Zojirushi for reheating purposes, too. Let’s take a look at how you can reheat basmati rice:
- First, take out the refrigerated rice.
- Break apart any clumps of refrigerated rice using a wooden spoon or fork. Do it gently, or else the grains may break.
- Transfer the rice to the Zojirushi cooking pan.
- Add ¼ cup of water for one cup of rice. This step helps infuse extra moisture into the rice.
- Press the “Reheat” button (it is the same as the “Start” button).
- You don’t have to adjust additional settings, as the rice cooker does it automatically. How cool is that?!
- Let the rice reheat. Once done, Zojirushi will alert you and shift the mode to “Keep Warm.”
How Long Can You Keep Basmati Rice in Zojirushi?
The Zojirushi rice cooker is perfect for people like me who loathe washing utensils. Let’s be honest, who doesn’t?
The brand features a “Keep Warm” mode that keeps your rice at a safe serving temperature (around 150°F). Once your rice is cooked or reheated, Zojirushi shifts to this mode instead of turning OFF.
You can keep your basmati rice inside Zojirushi for up to 12 hours.
However, the brand suggests that storing the rice in the refrigerator is better than keeping it in the rice cooker for more than eight hours. Otherwise, the rice may turn hard due to moisture loss.
Advanced Zojirushi models also feature an “Extended Keep Warm” mode for up to 24 hours.
Check this YouTube video to better understand how the “Keep Warm” feature works.
Final Thoughts
Zojirushi rice cookers can get a little expensive. Yet, it cooks all types of rice with ease. It also boils basmati rice well once you add the required water.
If you want to know more, Zojirushi’s website contains many instructions to help you figure out everything.
