Oatmeal in rice steamer

[jkuo13]

My wife makes oatmeal in the microwave almost everyday. We use full power though for 2-3 minutes though. It does really bubble, but it doesn't usually make a mess unless we use bowls which are too shallow. Personally, I think the slower cooked oatmeal tastes better, so I usually either prepare regular rolled oats on the stovetop or steel cut oats overnight in the slow cooker. I'm going to have to give the rice cooker trick a try.

[mzScarlett]

my waffle maker stays in cupboard when not in use, but I actually buy extra when I find them at thrift stores, yard sales, to give with food to those in need along with a very large bag of krustez waffle mix; cuz you only have to add water, & can keep eggs, etc for use elsewhere; using regular oil in a spray bottle cuts down cost & chemicals of buying spray oil; I put on a cookie sheet to make clean up easy; I absolutely adore waffles, they are such a tasty treat: & the grandkids beg for them for dinner even: & then again the next morning for breakfast "just like last nights" when gave them buckwheat waffles! (just add oil to it like the other mixes); I have debated getting a rice cooker & have not cuz was not sure would use that much to merit having one, altho I do use rice a great deal; now I am thinking it might be worth getting one if you can do so much more with it. I do not have a microwave; simply not used enough to merit having one; I do have a George Forman grill as well, but it & the toaster, & the air popper while all used a great deal, still are not kept on counter top but in cupboard.

[lucille]

I tried doing potatoes in our rice cooker. I cut them into about 1 inch cubes, filled the rice cooker with water almost to the top of the potatoes and let it run the cycle. It takes a bit over an hour but I can totally ignore it. Since the rice cooker has a timer I can prep everything and have it start at a time so it is done when everything else is. I removed the potatoes with a slotted spoon and mashed them in a bowl with butter and other add ins.

[Tisha Tolar]

not being a breakfast person - I found these ideas really interesting for feeding my kid. We got a rice cooker for a present last year and have yet to use it since there are only 3 of us and rarely do we need to make a ton of rice. It's great to know there are other ways to do things.

We also have a waffle maker and it's great to make fresh waffles in the morning, especially on the weekend when we have more time. It's also a convenient way to make sure we have frozen waffles in the freezer at all times simply by making extra and always having freezer bags on hand.

Thanks again for the great ideas. Can wait to try the oatmeal idea...unfortunately I like my coffee to much to trade it in for convenient oatmeal.