INSTRUCTION & RECIPE BOOKLET Rice Cooker/Steamer CRC-400 For your safety and continued enjoyment of this product, always read the instruction book carefully before using. IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS When using an electrical appliance, basic safety precautions should always be followed, including the following: 1. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS. 2. Do not touch hot surfaces; use handles or knobs. 3. To protect against risk of electrical shock, do not immerse the Rice Cooker/Steamer housing in water or any other liquid. If housing falls into liquid, unplug the cord from outlet immediately. DO NOT reach into the liquid. 4. To avoid possible accidental injury, close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used by or near children. 5. Unplug from outlet when not in use and before cleaning. Allow to cool before putting on or taking off parts. 6. Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug, or after the appliance has malfunctioned or has been dropped or damaged in any way or is not operating properly. Return the appliance to the nearest Cuisinart Repair Center for examination, repair or mechanical or electrical adjustment. 7. The use of attachments not recommended by Cuisinart may cause fire, electrical shock, or risk of injury. 8. Do not use outdoors or anywhere the cord or motor housing might come into contact with water while in use. 9. Do not use the Rice Cooker/Steamer for anything other than its intended use. 10. To avoid the possibility of the Rice Cooker/ Steamer being accidentally pulled off work area, which could result in damage to it or in personal injury, do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter. 11. To avoid damage to cord and possible fire or electrocution hazard, do not let cord contact hot surfaces, including a stove. 12. Extreme caution must be used when moving any appliance containing hot oil or other hot liquids. 13. Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner, or in a heated oven. 14. Do not operate Rice Cooker/Steamer in water or under running water. 15. To reduce the risk of electric shock, cook only in removable container. Do not immerse the container in water. SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY SPECIAL CORD SET INSTRUCTIONS A short power-supply cord is provided to reduce the risks of becoming entangled in or tripping over a longer cord. Longer extension cords are available and may be used if care is exercised. If a long extension cord is used, the marked electrical rating of the extension cord should be at least as great as the electrical rating of the appliance. The longer cord should be arranged so that it will not drape over the countertop or tabletop where it can be pulled on by children or tripped over. NOTICE This appliance has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). To reduce the risk of electric shock, this plug will fit in a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician. Do not modify the plug in any way. CONTENTS Important Safeguards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Parts and Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Important Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Tips and Hints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Assembly Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Operation Cooking Rice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cooking Rice and Steaming . . . . . . . . . . . . Steaming Only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reheating Rice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cleaning and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 5 5 5 5 Guide for Cooking Rice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Guide for Steaming Vegetables, Poultry, Seafood and Hard-Cooked Eggs. . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Recipes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 INTRODUCTION Cooking rice and steaming food has never been easier. All you have to do is fill the cooking bowl or steaming tray, and press the switch! When cooking cycle is complete, the temperature is automatically reduced to keep food warm until you're ready to eat. As always, cleanup is quick, because all removable parts are dishwasher-safe. IMPORTANT GUIDELINES · This appliance generates steam. Do not operate it without the lid in place. · Do not use your Rice Cooker/Steamer under hanging wall cabinets; the escaping steam could cause damage. · Do not use metal utensils. Metal utensils will damage the nonstick finish on inner cooking bowl. · Do not plug in the cooker before rice and water have been added. Because the Rice Cooker/ Steamer does not have an Off setting, the unit will automatically be in Warm mode immediately after the unit is plugged in. PARTS AND FEATURES 1. Glass Lid w/Stainless Steel Rim and Steam Vent: See-through glass lid allows you to view the rice while the steam vent helps to prevent splattering. Stainless steel rim accents any kitchen decor. 2. Steaming Tray: Allows you to steam a variety of foods while the rice is cooking. 3. Cooking Bowl: Nonstick coating prevents the rice from sticking to the bowl. 4. Stainless Steel Housing: Durable stainless steel construction makes cleanup easy. 5. Chrome-plated Handles: Cool touch handles. 6. "Cook" and "Warm" Indicator Switch: LED lights on top of the switch indicate that the unit is in Cook or Warm mode. 7. Measuring Cup: Calibrated specifically for your Cuisinart® Rice Cooker/Steamer; allows you to measure the proper rice to water proportions with ease. 8. Rice Paddle: Allows you to fluff and scoop the rice out of the cooking bowl. Rice won't stick to the utensil. 9. Retractable Cord Storage (not shown): Convenient retractable cord storage. 1 TIPS AND HINTS · The Cuisinart® Rice Cooker/Steamer is a perfect appliance for a busy lifestyle and limited space. It will cook rices and grains perfectly with minimal fuss, taking up little counter space and leaving all your burners free for other tasks. Cleaning up the nonstick bowl is quick and easy and there is virtually no maintenance. · Your rice cooker can be used for more than just plain old rice. It is a simple way to cook pilafs. Simply turn unit on and walk away -- it will automatically switch to Warm when ready to serve. · You can use your rice cooker to cook a combination of rice, grains and legumes at the same time. Follow our recipes for ideas and suggested amounts to use -- let your imagination be your guide. · Rinsing/washing rice: Generally the rule is to wash or rinse imported rice and not to wash or rinse domestic (grown in U.S.) rices, as they have been enriched with vitamins. To wash rice: place in a medium bowl and cover with water, swirl until the water appears chalky/cloudy, and drain in a fine mesh strainer. Repeat until water is clear (or nearly clear) when rice is covered and swirled. Rice aficionados will even wash domestic rice, as it removes the starches and reduces stickiness. If you follow a well-balanced diet, then the loss of these vitamins will not be detrimental. Do not wash your rice in the rice cooker bowl ­ if the outside of the bowl is wet when cooking, it may cause damage to your rice cooker. · Some rices may call for a soaking period. This can be done in the rice cooker bowl prior to cooking. · When cooking rice, boil it until it has absorbed all the liquid. At this time it is not quite done. Rice benefits from a "boil-steam" method of cooking. Allow your rice to rest on the Warm setting for 5 to 10 minutes before serving for best results. Do not remove the cover and peek. · After rice rests for 5 to 10 minutes, open rice cooker cover and stir rice gently with rice paddle or a wooden spoon. If rice is not ready to serve, re-cover and let stand on Warm until ready. 2 3 4 5 6 9 7 8 · The rice cooker will switch to the Warm cycle when it has finished cooking. At this time, you may stir in chopped raw vegetables such as green onions, slivered snow peas, shredded carrots, or even grape tomatoes to add texture to the dish ­ they will warm while the rice is resting, and if served in 5 to 10 minutes will retain their unique texture. · The rice cooker can be used to prepare commercially packaged pilafs, rice and grain mixes. Some packages will come with generic rice cooker instructions, or they may be found on the websites of the manufacturers. If the package has a sautéing step, do it right in the rice cooker bowl. Turn on, add specified amount of butter or oil, add rice/vegetables/meat and sauté according to package instructions, with the lid on. Add liquid and continue to cook. If the rice is too wet, allow it to remain on Warm for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. If it is too chewy, add up to 1/4 cup more liquid and let stay on Warm until liquid is absorbed (about 15 to 20 minutes). · When measuring rice with your rice cooker cup, level it off with a table knife or spatula as you would flour for baking. · If desired, you may spray your cooking bowl with nonstick cooking spray, but this step is not necessary, as it has a nonstick coating. · When rice is placed in the cooking bowl, level it off to a flat layer that covers the entire bottom of the bowl, to ensure that it cooks evenly. · The water you use for cooking rice should be the same water that you drink. If you do not like the taste of your tap water, use bottled or filtered water. The taste of the water will affect the taste of the rice. · For best results, use cold water. Cooking times will vary depending on the temperature of the water being used. · Liquids other than water may be used to cook rice. Use low-fat, low-sodium meat or vegetable stocks/broths. Fish stock or clam broth may be used for seafood-flavored rice. · One to two teaspoons of unsalted butter, olive, vegetable or nut oil will help keep grains of rice separate and prevent boiling over. · If your recipe calls for salt, add and swirl in with the rice paddle or a wooden spoon after adding liquid -- then level the rice as evenly as possible. · The rice cooker can be used to steam vegetables, seafood and some meats while cooking the rice. Use our recipes as a guide, then create your own combinations. · When steaming vegetables, clean them and trim to similar size. Follow Steaming Guide (page 7) for steaming vegetables alone. To steam vegetables while preparing rice, use Steaming Guide to time when to add vegetables to steaming tray. Most vegetables can be added about 10 minutes before rice has finished cooking. · When steaming meats such as poultry or sausage, cut all into small, similar sized pieces (such as "finger strips" or 1-inch slices). Arrange in a single layer in the steaming tray, which has been sprayed with cooking spray. · When steaming shrimp, scallops and other seafood, arrange in a single layer in the steaming tray, which has been sprayed with cooking spray. · When using your rice cooker, plug it in and arrange it on the counter away from the wall and not under hanging cabinets, to prevent steam damage. · The steam vent in the cover should always be placed facing the back of the rice cooker. Lift the lid from the back to the front to prevent steam burns. · One cup of uncooked rice makes approximately three cups of cooked rice. · 1 rice cooker cup (filled to the top) = ¾ cup = 12 tablespoons ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS To use your Cuisinart® Rice Cooker/Steamer: 1. Carefully unpack the cooker. 2. Rinse the nonstick cooking bowl, steaming tray and lid in warm, soapy water. Rinse well and dry thoroughly. 3. Wipe all interior and exterior surfaces of the rice cooker base with a soft, damp cloth. 4. Place cooking bowl in base of unit. 5. Place steaming tray in cooking bowl with open part facing down. 6. Place the lid on top of the cooking bowl. 7. Do not plug in unit. Your rice cooker is now ready for use. OPERATION Cooking Rice 1. Make sure your Cuisinart® Rice Cooker/Steamer is unplugged. 2. Place cooking pot in the stainless steel housing. 3. Measure desired amount of raw rice with the measuring cup provided. Rinse rice if needed. See Guide for Cooking Rice (page 6) for rice-to-water ratios. 4. Choose one of the following ways to add water or stock for cooking: a. Using the measuring cup provided for rice, measure the appropriate amount of water using standard liquid measuring cup. See Guide for Cooking Rice. b. Using the water line inside the cooking bowl add water to the rice inside the bowl up to the proper water line. For example, if you added 2 cups of raw rice, add water to line 2 (white rice only). 5. Cover the cooking bowl with lid. Make sure the steam vent is facing toward the back of the unit. 6. Plug in unit. 7. Set to the cook position by pressing the switch down. The Cook LED light will be illuminated. 8. Rice cooker will heat and cook the rice. Cooking time will vary, depending on the amount an ...