How to steam buns in a rice cooker? (+5 tips)

In this article, we will answer the question “How to steam buns in a rice cooker?”, and how to make perfect rice every time?

How to steam buns in a rice cooker?

Ingredients 

  • 5g instant dried yeast
  • 250 ml water (see note)
  • 500g all-purpose flour
  • 25g caster sugar
  • 1 tsp vegetable oil

Instructions 

  • In a bowl, add water and stir in the yeats. Transfer this mixture to the stand mixer fitted with paddle mixers.
  • Now add, flour, sugar, and oil and mix on medium speed until a dough forms. Using the hook attachment set on low speed, knead the dough for about 10 minutes or until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Add more water to adjust the texture.
  • Let the dough rest for about 5 minutes. 
  • Dust your counter with some flour and roll the dough into a rectangle(28-inch by 6-inch).
  • Fold each end of the rectangle such that they meet at the center. Roll the dough again into an 18-inch by 10-inch rectangle. Moisten the surface of the dough by brushing it with some water. Roll the dough tightly from the long edge until a log forms. It should be very compact with no spaces between the spirals.
  • Divide the dough into 8 equal-sized pieces. Discard the excess dough at the edges. 
  • Place the sliced dough pieces on parchment paper.
  • In a steamer, place the dough pieces at a distance of 1-inch at least so that they have the room to rise. Let the dough rise for at least 20 minutes in a warm place.
  • Fill the bottom of the steamer with 1 ½ cups of cold water. The buns should be cooked in the steamer for about 20 minutes. This process should be done in a rice cooker steamer. Alternatively, you can also use a bamboo steamer. 
  • Serve the buns while they are still hot. 

Tips for making perfect rice every time 

Rinse the rice before cooking

Washing your rice before cooking is extremely important. It not only prevents the rice from boiling over by removing excess starch but also keeps the rice from sticking. Pour the rice in a bowl or a colander and wash it with plenty of cold water. 

Use your hands to put a little pressure or punch the rice so that the rice grains rub against each other and water to get rid of excess starch. Rinse and repeat until the water runs clear. Washing your rice followed by soaking in cold water for at least 30 minutes has been linked to shorter cooking times and fluffier rice. However, this step is optional.

Add the right amount of water 

For long-grain white rice, use 2 parts water for 1 part rice. For brown rice, use 2 and a half parts water for 1 part rice. For wild rice, 4 parts water for 1 part rice. After adding the water, add a teaspoon or two of salt. The salt performs three functions:

  • It removes the starch from rice grains.
  • It removes the talcum(processors add talcum in rice to keep them from sticking)
  • It seasons the rice.

Cook on medium heat 

Cooking the rice on high heat won’t make them cook faster. Instead, It will lead to either unevenly cooked rice or burnt rice. Therefore, the key is to let the rice cook on medium heat.

Place a kitchen towel between the pot and the lid 

When the rice begins to boil and you can see the rice right below the water, pace a kitchen towel across the top of the pot and close the pot with a lid. Tuck the ends of the towel so It won’t start a fire. Placing the towel will ensure that the rice doesn’t become soggy due to condensation.

Turn the heat off after 15 minutes

Turn off the flame after 15 minutes but do not open the pot yet. Let the rice rest for at least 5 minutes. This will allow even distribution of steam and will prevent the rice on top from becoming too dry and those on the bottom from becoming too soggy. After 5 minutes, fluff up the rice using a fork and serve warm.

Invest in a rice cooker

Investing in a rice cooker will ensure perfectly cooked rice each and every time. You can buy a good rice cooker at kitchen stores, home goods stores, and online stores like amazon.

Conclusion

In this article, we answered the question “How to steam buns in a rice cooker?”, and how to make perfect rice every time?

References

https://www.livestrong.com/article/446032-how-to-cook-rice-without-it-sticking-together/

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