The rice cooker isn’t just for making rice! If you live in a condo, dorm room, or small rental, you can use it to make healthy meals. Here are our healthy meal ideas.

Small appliances are always a popular housewarming present. Rice cookers are the most gifted of all the appliances, especially in countries where rice is a staple. For us Pinoys, a rice cooker is practically an appliance every household has. After all, no meal is complete without the presence of this mighty grain. Whether you have been cooking for some time now or are a complete beginner, a rice cooker is a multipurpose kitchen gadget you can use to make healthy meals.

You heard right; this appliance, designed specifically for cooking rice, can also be used to whip up several tasty dishes. How is this possible? Well, cookers generally consist of a bowl, thermostat, and a heat source. Some come with steaming baskets, while others have more hi-tech functions built into the device. Regardless of the make and model, cooking dishes in one is possible. Here are the best rice cooker recipes you can try out at home.

6 Healthy Meals to Make in the Rice Cooker

With so many ready-to-eat options and fast-food places within reach, cooking healthy and nutritious foods every day doesn't happen as often. However, recent health scares have caused more people to consciously gravitate towards choices that are nourishing. A kitchen newbie or busy mom can turn to the trusty rice cooker to make some of these healthy recipe ideas.

Oatmeal

Why cook oats in a rice cooker when you can make them on the stove or microwave. Not all oat grains are the same. Instant oats are considered the least healthy of all the types of oats available. If you want something rich in fiber, you go for a steel cut that takes longer to cook – about 30 minutes. But if you make it in a rice cooker, you don't need to stand over the pot to watch it. Just pour the cereal grain into the pot and your choice liquid and come back for it when it's done.

Hainanese Chicken Rice

This Singaporean dish looks intimidating to make, but it really isn’t. What you have is rice and boiled chicken. What makes the dish tasty is the marriage of simple and comforting flavors. Traditionally the meat and the grains in a Hainanese chicken recipe are cooked separately. Instead of using an entire bird, opt for cutups that can be cooked in the same pot as the rice. One of our favorite hacks is to include a Knorr Chicken Cube into the mix along with other ingredients used to enhance the flavors of both the rice and the chicken in this Hainanese-inspired recipe.

Chili Con Carne

Craving for some hearty chili to go with grilled hotdogs or nacho chips? Another easy-to-do recipe packed with protein and rich in lycopene, chili con carne even tastes amazing over rice. Think of your rice cooker as an appliance similar to a slow cooker and electric skillet. You can quickly sauté ground beef, garlic, and onions in it before adding beans, Knorr Beef Cube, seasonings, and tomato sauce to make your chili. Don’t forget that each Knorr Beef Cube has the flavor of 1000 grams of beef!

Ribs

We kid you not. You CAN cook ribs in a rice cooker! Use an American-style ribs marinade or this char siu recipe for an oriental flair. To start, you need to heat some oil in the pot and brown the ribs in the heated oil. Once seared, add your choice rib sauce to the pot, let simmer and cover with the lid. Most cookers automatically stop cooking in an hour. You can check the doneness of the meat. If it needs to cook more, simply select the cooking function again.

Adobo

Chicken cooks faster than pork, nonetheless, you can enjoy this Filipino classic at home even when you don’t have a stove at home. By choosing a chicken adobo recipe, you can enjoy your meal in under half an hour.  We suggest using smaller cuts of meat if you prefer your protein to be pork.

Salmon Sinigang

Like adobo, we love our Sinigang. And because this recipe involves the use of seafood, you can expect it to cook pretty fast. Salmon is rich in omega-3. and souring agents used for the dish contribute to vitamin C. The inclusion of leafy greens provides iron, and green beans contain magnesium and calcium. One of the easiest recipes to follow, Salmon Sinigang is a great viand for beginners to make.

Rice Cookers Help You Eat Healthily

Healthy meals do not revolve around the consumption of vegetables alone. You can still eat proteins and some sinful treats while still remaining in a healthy range. This is often accomplished by eating a good balanced diet, exercising, and using cooking techniques that utilize less fat.

Whether you know your way around the kitchen or happen to be separated from the Lola who spoiled you with her homecooked meals, learning how to use a rice cooker to make meals will make your life so much easier.

Since the majority of cookers nowadays have pots with Teflon coating, less oil is needed when cooking. You can create healthy meal plans without the need for fancy equipment or tools. Aside from kanin and ulam, you can even make desserts like cake, brownies, pudding, banana bread, yogurt, and so much more. The possibilities are truly endless! What are you waiting for? Try out our healthy meals in your rice cooker today!