Almost every Indian house has a cooker. It is one of the most widely used kitchen appliances. Over the years, as the culinary techniques has evolved, and homemakers don’t shy away from trying new recipes and using new cooking methods, the need for a smart and more efficient cooking appliance is felt like never before. One such cooking appliance that has gained immense popularity in homes worldwide is the multicooker.
A multicooker is a fascinating kitchen appliance that offers the functionalities of both a pressure cooker and a slow cooker in a single unit. Today, with more and more people living the fast-paced and busy life, their cooking habits have changed too. Nowadays, people prefer making a quick one-pot meal, and multicooker is the perfect appliance that lets you make a delicious, wholesome and healthy meal in quick time.
If you are wondering how to cook in a multicooker, it is as easy as using your normal pressure or a slow cooker. Except, the multicooker has different functions and settings, and you just have to choose the right one, based on the type of dish you are making. Also, there are plenty of multicooker recipes that you can make at home with just a touch of a button and in much lesser time than it would take making it with a normal cooker.
So, speaking of multi cooker recipes ideas, in this guide, we list down a few simple, easy to make, vegetarian recipes that you can make using your multicooker.
Vegetable Pulao Recipe
Vegetable Pulao or veg pulao, as it is commonly known is a popular dish in India that is made of rice, an assortment of spices, herbs and vegetables. You may always find on the party or a special occasion celebration menu. Generally served with yogurt raita, it is one of the best multi cooker vegetarian dishes that is easy to make, and delights your family members.
Ingredients required
- Basmati Rice
- Herbs – Mint leaves, Coriander leaves
- Vegetables of your choice – carrots, peas, potatoes, beans, baby corn, etc
- Onions
- Green chillies
- Ginger garlic paste
- Spices of your choice
- Ghee or oil
- Salt as per taste
Method
- The first step is to rinse the rice thoroughly and soak it in the water for about 15 to 20 minutes.
- While the rice is soaking, cut and chop the vegetable using vegetable chopper as per your preferred size, and either you can use the mint leaves whole or you can make it into a paste by grinding it together with coriander leaves
- Once the prep work is done, turn on the multicooker and adjust the setting to sauté mode and two tablespoons of ghee
- When the ghee is hot, throw in the spices and sauté them for a couple of minutes, next add in the onions and the chillies and let them cook together until the onions turn brown
- Now add the ginger garlic paste, and let it cook for a couple of minutes
- Add the chopped vegetables and the ginger garlic paste. Give all the ingredients a good mix so that the herbs and the spices blend well. Let the veggies cook for 2-4 minutes
- Pour some water in the cooker based on the quantity you are making
- Now add salt and give the broth a good stir
- Finally, add the soaked rice. Make sure that the rice has drained all the water, or the pulao may turn mushy
- Adjust the setting to pressure cook, adjust the setting to high heat, and cook it for about 6-7 minutes
- Enjoy the delicious pulao with some raita or any side of your choice
Dum Aloo Recipe
Dum Aloo is a north Indian potato-based curry. The word Dum means ‘cooked with steam’ and also means potato in Hindi. So, basically, Dum aloo is a slow-cooked potato curry using the Dum style of cooking. It is a popular dish, and it is generally made during special occasion, life festivals or weddings.
If you are looking for some multicooker recipes for beginners, Dum Aloo is the perfect dish to try making at home. It is creamy, spicy, and super delicious that will surely leave your loved ones impressed with your culinary skills.
Ingredients required
- Potato
- Onion
- Tomato
- Ginger garlic
- Cashew
- Chillies
- Ginger garlic paste
- Spices of your choice
- Spice powders – turmeric, chilli, garam masala, fennel, coriander
- Yoghurt
- Salt as per taste
Method
- Thoroughly wash the potatoes first. Chop them into 1 ½ inch cubes. You can either peel the skin or leave it on as you like
- Cook the potatoes in boiling water for about 3-4 minutes until the potatoes are half cooked. Drain off the water and keep the potatoes aside
- In a blender, add the onions, tomatoes, and cashews, and make a smooth paste
- Now turn on the multicooker, put some oil, add the spices, green chillies, ginger garlic paste, and then add the onion, tomato and cashew paste
- Put in all the dry spice or masala powders, and give the mixture a good stir
- Add the yoghurt and give the mixture a good mix again
- Finally, add the potatoes, close the cooker lid, turn the heat to high and let it cook for about 8-10 minutes
- Enjoy the delicious curry with some rice or roti
Quinoa Upma Recipe
Quinoa is considered to be one the healthiest foods and you can use it to make a variety of dishes, including a tasty breakfast item like Quinoa Upma. If you are bored of having the same traditional upma, you can try making this healthy multicooker recipe at home and surprise your loved ones.
Ingredients required
- Quinoa
- Curry leaves
- Onion
- Vegetables of your choice – carrots, French beans, broccoli, peas
- Green chillies
- Mustard seeds, cumin seeds
- Cashews
- Asafoetida
- Turmeric powder
- Salt as per taste
Method
- Add quinoa to the bowl and pour some water over it. Give the quinoa a gentle wash, and drain off the water completely. Let the quinoa sit in the strainer to drain the excess water.
- Turn on the multicooker and adjust the setting to low heat
- Pour some ghee or oil into the cooking pan and add the mustard and cumin seeds
- As the seeds begin to pop, add the cashews, curry leaves and onions and sauté them for about 2 minutes
- Add in the onions and sauté till the onions change colour
- Add in some salt as you like, and the drained quinoa
- Pour some water as per the quantity you are making, adjust the setting to high heat and let the quinoa cook for about 5-7 minutes
- Enjoy the delicious quinoa upma, it is best eaten for breakfast, and you could have a healthy start to the day
Final Word
So, there you go—simple multicooker recipes that you can try making at home. Having a multicooker at home is great; it can completely transform the way you cook and allow you to be more creative and try making new dishes.
If you are looking for the best multicooker model, consider buying the Vesta 1.2L Outer Lid Multicooker Kettle. It has a powerful 600-watt capacity and is an extremely versatile appliance. It does more than just cooking or steaming rice; you can also use it to boil milk, water, and eggs, prepare tea, and even make instant noodles.
Also, it has two layers, which means you can cook two dishes at the same time and save a lot of time you spend in the kitchen.
