Rice

I'm a fan of the rice cooker too. I've been using once since I was 15 - my best friend is Vietnamese and they always used one so I bought one too.

Actually, rice is easy, at least I've never had much trouble as long as all I'm using is water (or stock) and rice. (Trying to add other ingredients usually ends badly for me.) I owned a rice steamer that was given as a wedding present but we moved about 10 years ago and my kitchen is smaller so I did away with a lot of "single purpose" appliances and I found that I didn't really need it.

Here's what works for me:

Put half as much rice as cold water into a pot (that has a matching lid) making sure that the pot is no more than half to 2/3 full. Turn on the burner and leave the pot uncovered with the heat as high as it will go. It'll take a couple of minutes, but not that long, so don't leave the room. As soon as it starts to boil clamp a lid on it and turn the burner down to low (I usually set mine between 2 and 3 out of 10) and -- here's the secret-- leave it alone for 15-20 minutes. Don't lift the lid (unless it starts to boil over and then only for a second or two to get the foam down) and definitely don't stir it. Check it at around the 15 minute mark to see if the water is all absorbed; if not put the lid back on and let it go for a few more minutes. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork and serve.

Otherwise, a rice steamer is usually foolproof.

hmmm I always thought rice was easy..... I've even taught my 9 year old and 12 year old how to make it. The real stuff, not instant. I think the biggest mistake people make is not having a lid that fits tightly, or turning the heat off too soon. I usually use the stovetop, but have a bamboo steamer that I love for sticky rice. I've never even touched a rice cooker, but have always been curious about how well they work because I could cook it while not having to watch it.....I think? like a slow cooker?

Love my rice cooker, personally.