One of the challenges of sticky rice is that it can turn out mushy or under-cooked. This is a method, devised by mom, that produces amazingly springy sticky rice in a rice cooker.
Tips for cooking sticky rice in a rice cooker
Do not soak the rice in a lot of water. Otherwise, it will turn out mushy.
Pre-soak the rice in just enough water to cover it.
Rice must soak for 3-4 hours.
Do not soak more than 4-5 hours.
When cooking the rice, water should just cover it.
After cooking the rice, do not open or lift the cover. The trapped steam will cook the rice further.
If using unfamiliar rice, always check the puffiness, or expansion of the rice while it soaks. If necessary add more water to barely cover the rice.
Ideally, use a Japanese rice cooker.
Brand of sticky rice to use
Any brand is fine. They may expand differently so as the rice soaks, check occasionally to see whether adding more soaking water is necessary. The water should just barely cover the rice.
Equipment to use
A rice cooker. The best rice cookers to use are Japanese rice cookers; a stainless steel rice cooker suffices although the rice can stick to the bottom.
How to cook sticky rice in a rice cooker
After washing and draining the rice, soak the rice for 3-5 hours in a flat-bottomed pot. Soaking water should barely cover the rice.
Check periodically to see whether adding more water is necessary. The water should just barely cover the rice. After 3-5 hours, cook the rice, with soaking water and all. After the rice cooker has completed cooking, be sure not to lift or open the cover for 1 hour (unless your goal is for partially-cooked rice). The trapped steam will further cook the rice, making it perfectly springy.
How to cook sticky rice in the instant pot (new section)
- Add 1 cup water to the instant pot. Place trivet inside the instant pot.
- Place a flat-bottomed pot on the trivet. Add cleaned rice and enough water to just cover the un-soaked rice. This amount may be less than the amount used for soaking rice in the recipe card.
- Close instant pot lid, seal and cook for 9 minutes with a 9-10 minute natural release.
How to make sticky rice in a rice cooker
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Loading...One of the challenges of sticky rice is that it can turn out mushy or under-cooked. This is a method, passed down from mom, produces amazingly springy sticky rice in a rice cooker.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sticky rice
- 1 cup water for soaking
Instructions
In a flat-bottomed pot or rice cooker pot, add rice and soaking water. Swirl the pot so the rice is flat and level. The soaking water should barely cover the rice. If necessary add a little more water. Cover the pot and soak for no more than 3-5 hours.
After 1-1.5 hours, check the water level. If the rice has expanded and peeks above the water, add a little more water. The soaking water should barely cover the rice.
After 3-4 hours (5 is fine), place rice in an electric rice cooker. Cover and press the cook button.
When the rice cooker completes cooking and switches to warm mode, leave the rice undisturbed for 1 hour. Do not lift or remove the cover, as the trapped steam will continue to cook the rice.
Remove to make other dishes and desserts, or to eat!
Notes
Sticky rice is NOT RECOMMENDED for young kids to consume.
