I have found the rice cooker to be an invaluable tool in my kitchen. I can load it up and leave it alone. It will even stay warm till I’m ready for the rice, it doesn’t need to be watched, a big plus in a house with an active child.
I’ve been experimenting, and I’ve found that I can easily mix grains in my rice cooker. For most grains, I add 2 parts water for each part grain, and it comes out wonderful every time.
I’ve mixed brown rice with barley, millet, and buckwheat, and have sometimes gone with 3 grains. In all cases, I’ve used the brown rice setting on my rice cooker.
Another favorite trick for my rice cooker is to use vegetable broth instead of water, or to add seasonings to the water. Instant soup packages are another time saver for adding flavor to the grains.
Have fun playing with your grains, and let me know if you find something that is a huge favorite in your house.