Kitchen Chemist
How to Cook RICE in a Crock Pot
You already know that rice is a staple grain and a wonderful source of complex carbohydrates. What you might not know is that whole grain rice offers somewhat better nutrition than unenriched white rice. Perhaps best of all, it’s easy to cook rice “from scratch” in a crock pot.
The Basics
If you head down the processed food aisle, you will find all kinds of precooked or instant rice or rice creations that are laced with salt and other additives. Instead, consider purchasing unprocessed rice, making it in your slow cooker, and then adding your own herbs and spices for a home-cooked creation that’s both flavorful and nutritious.
Getting Started
Every grocery store sells rice but you need to know where to look to get the best value.
If your grocery store has a bulk food department, where you can portion out and buy only what you need, you can find plain ‘ol rice in many forms for between $1 and $2 per pound. Prices for organic rice will be in the $2 or higher range per pound. I personally consider that a bargain because I like food that is as close to nature as possible, grown in an environment that is free of herbicides, pesticides, or petroleum-based fertilizers.
If you have a health food store, natural foods store, or food cooperative in your town, you are in for a treat. These stores usually feature bulk food departments offering perhaps dozens of varieties of rice.
Cost Savings
Compared to a small box of processed rice at the equivalent of $3 o4 $4 per pound (check the Unit Pricing label for actual cost per pound), plain rice in a 2 lb., 5 lb. or larger bag in a typical grocery store’s “ethnic foods” department might cost as little as $1 per pound.
One pound of dry rice makes 28 one-quarter cup servings at less than 5-cents per serving.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
6 STEPS TO CROCK POT RICE
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1.Measure out 1 cup of rice and add to your crock pot.
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2.Add 2 cups of water.
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3.You can make a larger (or smaller) batch of rice by maintaining this 1:2 ratio of 1 part rice to 2 parts water.
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4.Cook on High for 2 hours or until done. Time will vary depending on your slow cooker, the amount of rice you are making, and the variety of rice you choose. Whole grain brown rice takes longer than white rice.
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5.Stir the rice occasionally to distribute the liquid during cooking.
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6.Store leftover rice in refrigerator or freeze for future use.
© 2010 Cynthia E. Field, Ph.D. All rights reserved worldwide.
What You Need
crock pot • rice • water
RICE TIPS
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Use chicken broth or vegetable stock instead of water to make a more flavorful rice. -
Toss the rice with herbs, chopped nuts, cooked edamame (soy beans), or other veggies for a nutritional boost.
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Stir fry some freshly chopped garlic in extra virgin olive oil (or another healthful oil) in a frying pan. Add the cooked rice, herbs, and salt to taste.
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For an extra boost of flavor and nutrition, spritz the rice with Bragg’s Liquid Aminos. This product is an alternative to soy sauce that features 16 amino acids (the building blocks of protein in the body). Bragg’s Liquid Aminos is made from non-GMO (not genetically modified) soy.
Wehani Rice
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