In Room Cooking: Rice Cooker?

[mjbaby]

(By posting this information, please understand that I am neither endorsing in-room cooking as a way to save money nor seeking a debate on the subject. Both topics have been beaten to death 'round here. However, with the knowledge that some families do choose in-room cooking methods as a Disney-on-a-budget strategy I thought I'd float this as an option that seems safer than some others I've read about. Myself, I'm not an in-room cooker but I do appreciate the safety-conscious approach taken by most of those that are.)

I received a rice cooker for Christmas and am learning to use it with the manual and a rice-cooker cookbook I borrowed from the library. One of the things about rice cookers that I've discovered is that the fuzzy-logic models use methods that make it almost impossible to burn and the include digital timers to cook and keep food warmed. Also, rice cookers do much more than just rice! The cookbook I've borrowed has recipes for all kinds of rice dishes, yes, but also soups and desserts and porridges/oatmeals of all kinds. Many of the recipes use ingredients that require little or no refrigeration (rices and other grains, but also onions and garlic, broths - can use canned - and dried fruits).

I've already made a multi-grain pilaf dish (with wheat berries, brown rice, bulger and wild rice - delish!), oatmeal with dried fruits and a coconut rice pudding. I'm totally looking forward to trying black bean soup and other wonderful ideas. With an inroom fridge to store pre-cooked chicken or smoked sausages, the possibilities are endless.

Good luck and happy (and safe) money saving...

 

[disneyjunkie]

Oh boy,

:

 

[Toby'sFriend]

nothing screams vacation fun like a nice big pot of rice and porridge.

 

[DaisyD]

nothing screams vacation fun like a nice big pot of rice and porridge.

LMAO!

 

[patsal]

nothing screams vacation fun like a nice big pot of rice and porridge.

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

seems more like a hassel than anything else. Especially if you are at disney. i would opt for good old peanut butter and jelly before trying to cook anything but rice in a rice cooker. But they do make wonderful rice!

 

[mjbaby]

nothing screams vacation fun like a nice big pot of rice and porridge.

Oh, forgive me! I had totally forgotten the allure of ordering a second hamburger bun so as to split a double burger (including free condiments!) with a companion...of course, the glamour of such a purchase would totally obviate one's interest in making paella, steamed ginger pudding, or steamed brocolli with garlic vinaigrette - all safely and inexpensively.

And I don't want to forget the ole' frozen PB&J in a toaster oven thing - so much more attractive and nutritious than biryani, risotto, or polenta with sausage.

/smackshead

 

[patsal]

Oh, forgive me! I had totally forgotten the allure of ordering a second hamburger bun so as to split a double burger (including free condiments!) with a companion...of course, the glamour of such a purchase would totally obviate one's interest in making paella, steamed ginger pudding, or steamed brocolli with garlic vinaigrette - all safely and inexpensively.

And I don't want to forget the ole' frozen PB&J in a toaster oven thing - so much more attractive and nutritious than biryani, risotto, or polenta with sausage.

/smackshead

While all these sound fabulous, do you really think that those who would buy an extra burger bun and then split the original burger four ways would create anything as pricey as those that you mention? Your targeting the frozen PB&J in a toaster oven crowd with steamed broccoli and garlic vinaigrette--none of which are available for free from the condiment bar! Now if you suggested they use ketchup packets to make a lovely tomato consomme in the steamer you'd be right on track!

 

[disneyjunkie]

QUOTE=patsal;16167080] Now if you suggested they use ketchup packets to make a lovely tomato consomme in the steamer you'd be right on track![/QUOTE]

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

Oh, forgive me! I had totally forgotten the allure of ordering a second hamburger bun so as to split a double burger (including free condiments!) with a companion...of course, the glamour of such a purchase would totally obviate one's interest in making paella, steamed ginger pudding, or steamed brocolli with garlic vinaigrette - all safely and inexpensively.

And I don't want to forget the ole' frozen PB&J in a toaster oven thing - so much more attractive and nutritious than biryani, risotto, or polenta with sausage.

/smackshead

ordering a second bun is alot easier then tending to a pot of rice and frozen PB&J's are gross toasted or otherwise. I was talking about a loaf of bread, a jar of jelly and some good old peanut butter. I did the burger thing with my son and honestly those burgers are rather gross! Dry -nothing special about them. I can certainly appreciated trying to be aware of a budget when going to disney. I just think there are easier ways to go about saving a buck. Would you use this rice cooker in a hotel room with no kitchen? Or are you talking about renting a condo where you can groceries and a normal fridge? I personally think the chore of cooking and cleaning in a hotel room is alot more work then I care to do. I would rather save up the money and cut cost at home for a month or whatever it takes to eat at a restuarant. On the flip side of the coin my son and I had the DDP and it was WAY to much food for us to eat. We really did not enjoy the TS meals and honestly find they were time consumming and disappointing. I would have preferred renting a car and finding a good old Denny's to be honest. I was just thinking about our next trip to DW and what we would do foodwise. I am not sure I would do the DDP agian but I also do not want to be cooking in my room. Not because I am agianst it but just because itis more work than I care to do. I would be open to having sandwhich fixings in my room, granola bars etc. My son and I just are not food oriented people. We eat when we are hungry type of people and honestly we like plain old food most of the time and by that I do not mean bolnga sandwhichs. We eat mostly chicken, salmon, tuna and very heathy. I do love paella btw. So please do not take me wrong. I am not shooting down your idea. If it works for you go for it. I think rice cookers are wonderful devices. I actually just learned you can make regular old white rice in a microwave! I do this often because I can set it to cook and leave to go pick up my son and come home to wonderfully cooked rice! Funny thing is I was just thinking how I would I could pop microwave pop corn at DW. I never noticed if the food courts have microwaves.

 

[mjbaby]

Now if you suggested they use ketchup packets to make a lovely tomato consomme in the steamer you'd be right on track!

A bridge too far, in my opinion!

Seriously, though, I did forget for a moment it seems the difference between cheap and frugal. I was going for frugal - i.e., having the best possible whatsit at the best possible price. I don't generally go in for stuffing my belly with whatever's cheap with its price as the food's only remarkable virtue.

So, yes. Misguided posting on my part. But I just know that someone out there somewhere is going, "Yes! I just knew there had to be a way to cook up some lemon dill pilaf in my room cheaply. Thank goodness mjbaby has shown me the way!"

Then again, maybe not.

 

[mjbaby]

I personally think the chore of cooking and cleaning in a hotel room is alot more work then I care to do. I would rather save up the money and cut cost at home for a month or whatever it takes to eat at a restuarant.

Oh, I agree with you wholeheartedly. That's why I put my disclaimer up at the top of my original post. I don't do in-room cooking and don't care to figure out how. But I do know that there exist among us a number of travelers who bring with them all manner of cooking gear with the goal of eating as much as possible in their rooms. Those are the folks that might find a friend in their rice cooker while on the road.

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

A bridge too far, in my opinion!

Seriously, though, I did forget for a moment it seems the difference between cheap and frugal. I was going for frugal - i.e., having the best possible whatsit at the best possible price. I don't generally go in for stuffing my belly with whatever's cheap with its price as the food's only remarkable virtue.

So, yes. Misguided posting on my part. But I just know that someone out there somewhere is going, "Yes! I just knew there had to be a way to cook up some lemon dill pilaf in my room cheaply. Thank goodness mjbaby has shown me the way!"

Then again, maybe not.

lemon dill pilaf actually sounds yummy to be honest. Unfortunately I am one of those foolish people who made a new years resolution to lose weight and have started my low carb south beach diet today! Actually I am doing Sonoma Diet combined with the South Beach diet. Same thing if you ask me. So only thing I would be cooking ina rice cooker is poached chicken

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

Oh, I agree with you wholeheartedly. That's why I put my disclaimer up at the top of my original post. I don't do in-room cooking and don't care to figure out how. But I do know that there exist among us a number of travelers who bring with them all manner of cooking gear with the goal of eating as much as possible in their rooms. Those are the folks that might find a friend in their rice cooker while on the road.

Did you get a new one for Christmas? If so happy cooking! I like all of those cookers. Crock Pot is one of my fav's especially the ones with temp controls and timers. I have one of those. I also think those steamer devices are pretty cool where you have 3 different containers stacked and you can cook a whole meal. However the thought of handling raw chicken or shell fish in my hotel room and using my sink area just grosses me out to much to go further with that thought.

 

[patsal]

A bridge too far, in my opinion!

Seriously, though, I did forget for a moment it seems the difference between cheap and frugal. I was going for frugal - i.e., having the best possible whatsit at the best possible price. I don't generally go in for stuffing my belly with whatever's cheap with its price as the food's only remarkable virtue.

So, yes. Misguided posting on my part. But I just know that someone out there somewhere is going, "Yes! I just knew there had to be a way to cook up some lemon dill pilaf in my room cheaply. Thank goodness mjbaby has shown me the way!"

Then again, maybe not.

Your food ideas and cooking ideas are great, many of the recipes sound delish, not something I'd make in a hotel room, but I had no idea that a rice cooker could make the things you're describing. I didn't mean to offend I was just thinking your ideas seemed gourmet in a "burger bun sharing realm"

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Your dinner ideas sound absolutely delicious! I do have to say though to any of you who might consider the in room cooking- please don't stay in the room next to me. I do not want to smell sausage cooking while I am relaxing. On the flip side I may have to look into purchasing a rice cooker for our house!

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

Your dinner ideas sound absolutely delicious! I do have to say though to any of you who might consider the in room cooking- please don't stay in the room next to me. I do not want to smell sausage cooking while I am relaxing. On the flip side I may have to look into purchasing a rice cooker for our house!

My brother recently bought a rice cooker and he to has become Mr. 101 ways to use a rice cooker. I have to admit he has made some pretty delicous recipes. I would be interested in how to make paella in one. That sounds a heck of alot easier than cooking it in a pan.

 

[summerrluvv]

Oh, I agree with you wholeheartedly. That's why I put my disclaimer up at the top of my original post. I don't do in-room cooking and don't care to figure out how. But I do know that there exist among us a number of travelers who bring with them all manner of cooking gear with the goal of eating as much as possible in their rooms. Those are the folks that might find a friend in their rice cooker while on the road.

LOL clearly you are endorsing it if you are giving people more ideas to cook meals in their room and knocking the perviously suggested frugal ways (i.e. ordering an extra bun, etc.).

 

[graygables]

I wouldn't drag along a rice cooker and I agree about not having sausage cooking next door in a resort. However, I do drag along my electric kettle b/c we drink hot tea and there's very little that is more gross than coffee-flavored tea from an in-room coffee pot. The nice thing is that boiling water can also prepare soup or some convenience items from the prepared foods aisle.

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

I wouldn't drag along a rice cooker and I agree about not having sausage cooking next door in a resort. However, I do drag along my electric kettle b/c we drink hot tea and there's very little that is more gross than coffee-flavored tea from an in-room coffee pot. The nice thing is that boiling water can also prepare soup or some convenience items from the prepared foods aisle.

Dawn,

I like tea in the evening. Sure wish I would have thought of that. I just skipped having tea a night when there. I am a coffee drinker in the morning though so I did use the coffee pot. I brought my own coffee but forgot filters! Oh well. I drank their coffee which was okay. But not the kind of coffee I like. What kind of kettle do you have? I will have to look into one of those.