Rice Is Nice (Patreon)

We’re two weeks from Christmas and I’m super behind on my shopping! I have ideas for most people on my list, but I haven’t pressed the “order” button yet. I’m hoping to take care of the rest of this tonight. I’m also crocheting a few scarves for folks back in Buffalo and might try my hand at some amigurumi as well. I just received a kit via Secret Santa that will make two little Godzillas.

Everything here has been fairly uneventful. I try to stay out of public as much as possible during the holidays and I’ve also been dealing with a back issue. I think the most exciting thing that’s happened around here is the arrival of our new rice cooker. We received a Zojirushi Micom cooker as a gift from my parents. For nearly two decades I used a cheap, low end Aroma rice cooker that my friend sent me for free. I loved that thing. As long as you made two cups, no more, no less, it put out reliably tasty rice every time. Early this year I noticed it was starting to falter and the rice was coming out wetter than usual. The non-stick coating on the pan was starting to come off. It was time to retire my dear friend.

We went until only two days ago without a rice cooker. Many people are probably thinking

“You’ll live. Make it in a pot”

And we did! It came out great! It also comes out pretty darn good in the Instant Pot. The issue is, over the years, I’ve become used to working in a small kitchen with certain appliances that help me maximize what I can do. I very much came to count on having a “set and forget” method for cooking rice, which Vani and I eat quite regularly. This also clears up stove space and Instant Pot space which is always at a premium when doing meal prep. It’s been nice the past two nights to work it back into the routine.

As far as Zojirushi hype is concerned - I’m sold. Not only does the rice come out perfect, but the keep warm function is advanced magic. Not sure how it keeps it so tender without it going dry.

I hope everyone is having a smooth December. Finish that shopping if you’ve been procrastinating!

-Ian