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How to: Cook with a Multi-Cooker
Having a multi-cooker in your kitchen is like having a home chef. It provides automatic cooking which results in time-saving convenience, plus it saves you from slaving away in the kitchen just to make dinner.
Whether you just need some rice cooked to serve with your main or require soups, stews and curries to last you the week, a multi-cooker will easily satisfy. Best of all, some multi-cookers even boast additional cooking functions like steam, dessert, and yoghurt, so you can make a myriad of dishes to suit any occasion. Love the idea of having a multi-cooker in your kitchen? Read on to find out all the information about a multi-cooker.
What is a multi-cooker?
A multi-cooker is a versatile benchtop cooking appliance which as its name suggests, can cook a wide variety of dishes using multiple cooking methods.
What are the benefits of a multi-cooker?
Cooking with a multi-cooker offers a world of advantages such as:
One-pot cooking: simply add or cook ingredients in parts in the cooking pot and let the multi-cooker do the rest.
Fuss-free: as the dish is cooked solely in the multi-cooker, there is no need to create a mess on your stovetop, in the oven or anywhere else.
Save time: certain cooking functions like ‘pressure cooking’ reduces the cooking time while others such as ‘slow cook’ or ‘steam’ can be set during the day so it cooks while you’re doing other tasks such as running errands, working from home or out with friends.
All-in-one: cut down on the number of appliances in your home as a multi-cooker can take the place of a slow cooker, steamer, rice cooker and even a bread maker.
How many people can a multi-cooker serve?
Depending on the multi-cooker model, the cooking pot capacity and portion sizes, a multi-cooker can serve up to 6x people.
Can a multi-cooker also slow cook or pressure cook?
Definitely. Most multi-cookers can effortlessly slow cook or pressure cook at a touch of a button.
What else can a multi-cooker do?
It wouldn’t be called a ‘multi-cooker’ unless it can deliver on a range of cooking options. Multi-Cookers like Crock-Pot’s Express Crock Multi-Cooker boasts a wide range of cooking functions to help you conquer any meal, any time of the day. These include: Yogurt, Steam, Rice/Risotto, Slow Cook, Pressure Cook and Meat/Stew.
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SKU:CPE200
Crock-Pot® Express Pressure Multi Cooker - Stainless Steel
Do multi-cookers have pre-set recipes?
Based on the recipe you’re using; you can usually select the cooking function and adjust the cooking time to suit. For example, if you’re steaming soft vegetables like pumpkin, you may need reduced cooking times when compared to steaming hard vegetables such as potatoes.
Some multi-cooker models, like Tefal’s Cook4Me+ Connect Multi-Cooker boasts a library of pre-programmed recipes to help you cook. The Cook4Me+ features up to 150 pre-set recipes that you can choose from and you can also cook based on the ingredients, weight or number of guests.
How do I use a multi-cooker?
Using a multi-cooker is as easy as it gets. Add all your ingredients into the cooking pot or bowl, secure the lid as instructed and select your cooking function or recipe. The most common controls on a multi-cooker include push buttons and/or control dial, an LCD display and more recently, smart controls. The Tefal Cook4Me+ Connect Multi-Cooker is a connected cooker as it can be used in conjunction with your smart device, via the Cook4Me+ Connect app. Once connected, you can use the app remotely to run updates, monitor your cooking and access a range of new recipes.
Are multi-cookers dishwasher safe?
The multi-cooker itself won’t be dishwasher safe, however the included accessories will usually be dishwasher safe. Included accessories may consist of a cooking pot, steamer basket, rice scoop spoon and measuring cup. Please consult the product user manual before washing as dishwasher safe advice may vary between models.
Can I cook rice with a multi-cooker?
Yes, rice can usually be cooked in a multi-cooker with the ‘rice’ or equivalent function. For an easy,
no-frills rice cooking experience, Russell Hobbs’ Turbo Rice Cooker (RHRC20BLK) will delight. The Turbo Rice Cooker has simple cook and auto keep warm setting, cooks up to 30% faster, a 10-cup capacity and a measuring cup and spoon to help you cook the right portions.
How do you cook rice in a rice cooker or multi-cooker?
If you’re after perfectly fluffy rice to serve with a stir fry, or simply to create other dishes such as fried rice, cooking rice in either a rice cooker or multi-cooker will delight. Below is a general recipe on how to cook rice:
White Rice:
Ingredients:
1 Cup White Rice
1 Cup Room Temperature Water
Additional Tap Water (for washing)
Method:
Add 1 cup of white rice into the cooking pot. Rinse some tap water into the pot and stir to wash the rice. Drain the water that was used to wash the rice. Repeat once more.
Add the 1 cup room temperature water to the rice and ensure all grains are covered. If you prefer your rice a bit softer, simply add a bit more water (maximum a tablespoon).
Wipe dry the exterior surface of the cooking pot before placing it into the rice or multi-cooker.
Select the ‘rice’ cooking function on your multi-cooker or simply turn on the rice cooking function on your rice cooker.
Sit back, relax and let the cooker cook your rice.
Brown Rice:
Ingredients:
1 Cup Brown Rice
2 Cups Room Temperature Water
Additional Tap Water (for washing)
Method:
Add 1 cup of brown rice into the cooking pot. Rinse some tap water into the pot and stir to wash the rice. Drain the water that was used to wash the rice. Repeat once more.
Add the 2 cups room temperature water to the rice and ensure all grains are covered. If you prefer your rice a bit softer, simply add a bit more water (maximum a tablespoon).
Wipe dry the exterior surface of the cooking pot before placing it into the rice or multi-cooker.
Select the ‘rice’ cooking function on your multi-cooker or simply turn on the rice cooking function on your rice cooker.
Sit back, relax and let the cooker cook your rice.
What other dishes could I make with multi-cookers?
Plenty! Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert, a multi-cooker has you covered when it comes to home cooking. Below, we’ve picked out some delicious recipes that you can try out at home.
Egg Shakshuka
Serves 6
Prep Time: 10 Mins
Cook Time: 6 Mins
Ingredients:
600 g crushed tomatoes
6 red peppers, cut into fine strips
1.5 onion(s), peeled and finely chopped
3 clove(s) garlic, peeled and minced
3 tsp cumin
15 sprigs parsley, finely chopped
15 sprigs coriander, finely chopped
3 tbsp olive oil
150 ml water
6 eggs
Method:
Prepare the ingredients.
Pour the oil in the bowl.
Sauté the onion, garlic and peppers.
Add the cumin and half of the herbs. Add the crushed tomatoes and water. Stir.
Pressure cooking time: 4 minutes
Carefully break the eggs over the top. Wait 5 minutes before serving with the herbs.
Press BROWN/SAUTÉ, then press START/STOP. Add butter and preheat for 2 minutes. Add duck and brown for 2 minutes on each side or until golden. Remove from the cooking pot.
Add bacon, garlic, onion, bay leaf and rosemary. Sauté for 4-5 minutes or until tender. Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add wine and allow to reduce by half.
Press START/STOP. Place all ingredients in the cooking pot, including the duck. Secure the lid ensuring the steam release valve is in the seal (closed) position. Press POULTRY, and adjust time to 20 minutes. Press START/STOP.
Once cooking is complete, and the pressure has released, set aside to cool. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve over pasta with grated Parmesan cheese.
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Serves 6
Prep Time: 20 Mins
Cook Time: 55 Mins
Ingredients:
120 g sugar
3 eggs
150 g butter, melted
120 g flour
1.5 tsp baking powder
2 slices pineapple
110 g pineapple cut into cubes
100 g caramel
Method:
Prepare the ingredients.
Place the caramel then 2 slices of fruit into the mould. Pour 400 ml of water into the steam basket within the pan.
Mix the eggs and sugar together. Add the butter, then the flour and baking powder together and finally the cubes of fruit. Pour into the mould. Cover with foil. Place into the basket.
Pressure cooking: 55 minutes
Allow it to cool down then remove from the mould. This cake can be eaten warm or cold.
Master home cooking today! Simple, quick and fuss-free, multi-cookers will open up a world of opportunities in your kitchen. No matter what your tastes, ingredients or time restrictions, multi-cookers are right there by your side, helping you create delicious meals in the comfort of your home. To find out the best multi-cooker to suit your needs, simply click on the below products to view product specifications, read reviews and more!
