Unlocking the Secrets to Flavoring Rice in Your Rice Cooker

Cooking rice on the stove can be effective, but let's face it: using a rice cooker makes everything simpler. By removing the constant need to stir and the worry of burning the bottom, the whole process becomes much more pleasant and stress-free. All it takes is adding rice and water to the cooker, pressing a button, and fluffing the rice when it's finished—it's really that easy. This handy kitchen device also simplifies the task of adding flavor to your food. Just remember to put your seasonings in the rice cooker at the beginning of the cooking process, allowing the grains plenty of time to absorb all those delicious flavors.

Whether you use broth, butter, dried herbs, or olive oil, you'll notice a major difference when you incorporate them before the food has been cooked as opposed to after. Even Gordon Ramsay agrees and abides by this rule when seasoning rice; if you wait until it's fully cooked, your flavors won't blend completely into the grains, which will make for an unimpressive result. Whatever you decide to season it with — even if it's just a bit of salt and pepper — simply add it before you begin the rice cycle, and cook the rice as usual.