n I was a child, we would usually just have plain white rice for a side dish, we would either have white rice or if my mother purchased a box of Near East, we would have a fancy dish and have rice pilaf. We didn’t have it often, because having plain rice was just a necessary side, nothing anyone was looking forward to.

When I got married, my husband lived in Japan for a while, during college, and in Japan as one can imagine they had rice at every meal. In Asian countries having a rice cooker is seen as a necessary appliance.

When we registered for our wedding gifts, my husband wanted a rice cooker. So, we got one, and it quickly became one of my favorite kitchen appliances.

Fast forward 20 years and the new kitchen gadget for rice is the Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) and using the Instant Pot, couldn’t be easier for making tasty and easy recipes. The mini (3 quarts) is also amazing for side dishes. So, wait for a sale and snag one, you will not be sorry.

You will soon be able to make foolproof and delicious side dishes with your Instant Pot.  You can all sorts of rice dishes, from Pilafs, Risottos, Polenta, Porridge, Puddings and more.

Here are some tips for getting the best tasting rice dishes from your Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)

1. Always wash the rice (or at least rinse the rice)–In the United States we are never told to rinse the rice because in American the rice has been fortified with powdered vitamins, and when you rinse the rice, you also wash out the fortified vitamins. Washing or at least rinsing the rice removes the loose surface starch and in turn that will reduce the stickiness of the rice. The only kinds of rice you should not rinse are Arborio and other risotto styles rice because you need the starch to make the rice creamy.
2. I have found that the Ceramic Instant Pot Bowl works better than the regular stainless steel bowl, that comes with it. I find that there is less burning or scorching. I think because with the thicker surface the Instant Pot Ceramic bowl controls the heat better.
3. Sauting the rice in butter before cooking. This does two things for your dish, first, it increases the flavor of the rice dish and second the butter or oil coats the rice grain, which prevents them from sticking to each other.
4. For the best rice, after it is cooked and it does a natural release, let it sit for a few minutes before opening the lid, this gives time for the moisture to evenly distribute through the rice.

Now for the Mini–great set

3 Quart ONLY pressure cooker Accessories set, steamer basket, sealing rings, egg rack, egg bite mold, oven mitts, and a recipe booklet!

I used to hate making rice until I got the Instant Pot. Now, each rice dish is flavorful and well cooked. Not too dry or too hard.

Basic Brown Rice

Basic White Rice

Basmati Rice

Couscous

Chinese Fried Rice-Chicken

Chinese Fried Rice-Shrimp

Chinese Fried Rice-Vegetarian

Garlic Brown Rice

Garlicky Brown Rice

Herbed Brown Rice

Jasmine Rice

Quinoa

Rice-A-Roni in the Instant Pot

Spanish Rice

White Rice-Perfect Everytime

Wild Rice

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Pressure Cooker, Instant Pot-Cilantro Lime White Rice

Ingredients

• 2 cups white rice
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup diced fresh cilantro
• 3 teaspoons lime juice
• 4 tablespoons lime zest (about 1 lime)

Instructions

1. Start by adding the rice, water, oil, and salt to the Instant Pot Bowl. 

2. Mix well.

3. Add your lid, and make sure that the vent is on the sealing position.  Set your time for 4 on manual high pressure.

4. Meanwhile, chop your cilantro and zest your lime.

   

5. Let the pressure naturally release.

6. When all of the pressure has been released, open up your lid, and mix. 

7. Mix the cilantro, lime zest, and juice into the rice.

   

8. Plate, serve and enjoy!