This Gorgeous $25 Cooking Gadget Makes Rice and Quinoa Perfectly in the Microwave

There’s a long list of reasons why rice is one of the most commonly consumed foods around the world. It’s cheap, lasts a super long time in your pantry, and there’s no shortage of ways to cook with it. Burrito bowls, curry, stir-fry, wrapped up in sushi rolls, served with seafood and cajun spices…rice is one of the most versatile foods there is.

It’s also nutrient-rich, full of fiber, B vitamins, phosphorus, selenium, and magnesium. (And yes, white rice is full of nutrients, too.) There’s only one downside: it can take a good 20 to 40 minutes to cook on the stove. And while it can be done in the microwave, it more often than not creates a huge mess you have to clean up afterward. On nights when you’re in a rush or your day has been so busy that you’re not able to even think about dinner until after 8 p.m., this hassle can be the deciding factor on whether to cook or just settle for something subpar that you can eat ASAP.

Luckily, there is a solution to these rice-cooking woes that is a bit more counter-space friendly than your traditional electric rice cooker. Meet the chic, handy dandy Lekue Quinoa & Rice Cooker ($25).

Lekue Quinoa & Rice Cooker, $25

Shop now: Lekue Quinoa & Rice Cooker ($25) 

Here’s what makes this rice cooker so great. First, let’s be honest here, it’s downright beautiful. This baby is sleek. Then, there’s the fact that it does the job of cooking rice and quinoa quickly in the microwave without creating a mess. Simply fill the base with water and washed rice or quinoa. (It comes with a helpful little booklet that tells you exactly what the ratio should be, depending on what you’re making and how many people you’re cooking for.) Place the green bowl on top of the base. Then, put it in the microwave and cook (rice takes roughly 12 minutes). Once the time is up, turn the cooker upside down over the sink to drain water out of the lid—which doubles as a strainer. After the water is drained out, you’re left with your perfectly cooked food. Oh, and it’s dishwasher safe too, so you don’t even have to scrub it clean.

Besides being used to cook rice and quinoa, you can also use it to make pasta or veggies in the microwave. And here’s the kicker: You can take it straight from the microwave to your table and use it as a pretty serving platter, too.

There are a lot of rice cookers for sale, but this one has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon and the main reason for that is this: it simply makes life easier and looks good while doing it. Sold!

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