Oatmeal with Figs in the Rice Cooker

I just ordered this wonderful cookbook for getting the most out of a rice cooker.  The Ultimate Rice Cooker, by Beth Hensperger and Julie Kaufmann, talks about the two main types of rice cookers (Fuzzy logic and on/off), and provides a LOT of recipes and ideas for meals – rice or otherwise.  I have the former type, the Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy, 5 cup rice maker.   Some recipes are best with one type, some with the other.  Porridge and porridge-like foods work with the fuzzy logic style, NOT with the on/off — because you get the porridge setting on these machines.

Oatmeal and Fig in the Rice Cooker

At any rate, I chose one day to make oatmeal using the rice cooker.  What’s great about this is you don’t have to hover and wonder if you are going to scorch your pot.  You can go shower and dress for work, and/or wrestle with the kids, while knowing that your rice cooker is doing this job for you.  (They do sell oatmeal that is not cross-contaminated with gluten.)

Prep Time:  5 minutes
Cook Time:  Depends on your rice cooker, maybe half an hour
Rest Time:  On the Keep Warm cycle – 1 or 2 hours.  Or no rest at all!
Serves:  1 – multiply all ingredients for more.
Special equipment: fuzzy logic rice cooker
Leftovers:  not optimal.

• 1/2 cup rolled oatmeal (multiply all ingredients if you are serving more than one person).   Steel cut may take a different amount of time, but should be good, too.  Do not use instant oatmeal.  
• 1 cup water (or use half water, half milk – but watch your cooker the first time you try this, as some may get too hot and the milk will try to boil over.  No fun.  I was going to be too busy to watch, so opted not to.
• 2-3 fresh figs, quartered
• optional splash or so of milk for after cooking
• optional 1 teaspoon maple syrup (or more if you are a sugar junkie)
• optional 1/2 teaspoon butter

Put the oatmeal, liquid, and figs into the fuzzy logic type of rice cooker.  Put on Porridge setting, turn on.  Stay in the kitchen if you are using milk for the first time.

When it shuts off from cooking, the Stay Warm setting is good for an hour or two.

Plate, and add any optional ingredients.

(Of course, you can sub in any preferred or available fresh fruits to this dish.  You could also add the fruit on top, after cooking.  Or, you could use a good quality coconut milk low on additives instead of the dairy milk.)

 

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