My Rice Cooker Transformed the Way I Feel About Cooking at Home
There's a reason why it's a staple in every Japanese household—it makes it so much more relaxing and enjoyable
“Gohan dayo!” my mom yelled from inside the kitchen.
I bustled out of my room and began helping set up the table. Grabbing the rice paddle out of the drawer, I opened the rice cooker. The fresh steam escaped the pot and left a warm and slightly sweet aroma lingering in the air — ahh.
I gently fluffed the rice and portioned them out into small porcelain bowls. The grains were both perfectly moist and sticky, yet not too soft — the al dente equivalent of rice. There is no better accompaniment to Japanese dishes.
Why you should invest in a rice cooker
I cannot imagine living in a household without a rice cooker. It is a staple piece of equipment and plays a core part in the way I cook, as important as a chef’s knife or frying pan.
Not that you need a rice cooker to make rice — it can be made with just a pot and some hot water — but unlike a pot, a rice cooker distills the process down to three easy steps: Rinse, add water, and press a button.
