Cuisinart Rice-Plus Multi-Cooker with Fuzzy Technology review

Both my husband and myself love to cook and do so almost every night. I was super happy when we had the chance to test out the Cuisinart Rice-Plus Multi-Cooker with Fuzzy Logic Technology.
I couldn't wait to try out Chef Hubert Keller's (one of the top three finalists in Bravos recent Top Chef Masters) recipe for Brazilian Chicken and Shrimp Soup.

We have a rice-cooker at home but compared to the Cuisinart Rice-Plus Multi-Cooker, ours was like an antique model!

A little more info on the Cuisinart Rice-Plus Multi-Cooker with Fuzzy Technology:

Cuisinart introduces a smarter way to cook rice…and a lot of other dishes, as well. Introducing the Rice Plus™ Multi-Cooker, the first product from Cuisinart with advanced fuzzy logic technology.

This built-in “brain” senses fluctuations in cooking and automatically adjusts operation to ensure perfect results. With pre-programmed settings for six types of rice, plus oatmeal, soup, steam, slow cooking, and more – and easy dishwasher cleanup – this is destined to become a favorite.

Product Features:

Equipped with fuzzy logic technology for perfect results every time
Pre-programmed menu options including White Rice, Sushi Rice, Brown Rice, Risotto, Oatmeal, Slow Cooking, Steaming, and Soup, as well as Quick Cooking and a Reheat function
Automatically switches to Keep Warm after cooking is complete, for up to 24 hours
Programmable Finish Time allows user to set when dish will be ready
Makes up to 15 cups of cooked rice
Non-stick aluminum cooking pot
Easy-to-use/easy-to-read control panel and backlit blue LCD display for easy use
Removable steam release and inner lid for easy cleaning
All removable parts are dishwasher safe
Includes steaming rack, measuring cup, rice paddle and spoon
Basic to gourmet recipes included
Limited 3-year warranty

We tried cooking several things in the Multi-cooker: brown rice, white rice, soup, stew and we steamed vegetables.

This Multi-Cooker really is multi-functional and so easy to use. The control panel is super easy.

Hubert Keller provides home cooks with tips to make fresh and hearty soups as a one-pot meal that incorporates delectable and authentic flavors. This is an excellent option for busy moms and dads to attend to family activities without giving up great taste.

The recipe below for Brazilian Chicken and Shrimp Soup was developed specifically By Chef Keller using the Rice Plus Multi-Cooker.

The inspiration for this soup came from the 2 years in which Chef Keller worked in Brazil with Master Chef Roger Verge at Cuisine du Soleil. There, he began to integrate some of the bright, bold flavors of Brazilian cooking that make this soup so unique and flavorful: combining chicken and jumbo shrimp, while using coconut milk and lime juice to deepen the stock base, and ultimately, adding a final flourish of cilantro.

Additional Soup Pointers from Chef Keller:

• Soup is a great dish to serve at a cocktail party or get-together; pass it around in espresso cups or small Asian bowls, and for more informal gatherings, serve it in a coffee mug
• When serving soup, think about adding a few decorative garnishes that add color and texture to the finished product. Since garnishes should always reflect or enhance the flavors in the main dish, look at the ingredient list to see if there is something already in the soup that can be chopped and sprinkled on top, such as:

• Peppers
• Peanuts
• Scallions
• Diced tomatoes
• Herbs
• Croutons

My kids LOVED this soup and ask me regularly to make this again. It is a very tasty soup with amazing aromas and as I'm writing this review I'm thinking of making it again. It is an easy and delicious recipe!

So without further delay here's the recipe:

Serves 8

5 chicken thighs, skinned

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 cup finely chopped onion (about 1 small)

1 cup diced green bell pepper (about 1 medium)

1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes

1/3 cup finely chopped toasted peanuts

1 medium jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped

2 bay leaves

1-1/4 teaspoons salt

3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3 cups chicken broth

1-1/2 cups coconut milk

8 ounces raw shrimp (medium size), peeled and de-veined

10 ounces frozen peas

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro

4 cups cooked jasmine or basmati rice for serving

1. Prepare rice using the long-grain directions on the cooking chart for Cuisinart’s Rice Plus™ Multi-Cooker. Rice can also be prepared the day before.
2. Place the chicken in a medium mixing bowl and season lightly with salt and pepper. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the lime juice and rub chicken with minced garlic. Mix thoroughly and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
3. In the cooking pot of the Cuisinart Rice Plus™ Multi-Cooker, add the olive oil. Set to Quick Cook and press start. Once the olive oil is hot, after about 3 minutes, add the onions and peppers and sauté for about 4 minutes until soft and fragrant.
4. Stir in the canned tomatoes including juice, peanuts, jalapeno, bay leaves, salt, pepper, broth, and coconut milk. (Note: be sure to stir the coconut milk prior to pouring from can). Add the chicken and marinade and stir until well combined. Turn the unit off. Close the lid and select the Soup function and set the timer for 5 hours.
5. 15 minutes before the timer is done, rinse the shrimp well and pat dry. Place in a mixing bowl with the remaining lime juice and a pinch each of the salt and pepper. Refrigerate for 5 to 8 minutes; no longer or the acid of the juice will begin to cook the shrimp.
6. Once there are 5 minutes remaining on the timer, open the lid and add the frozen peas and the shrimp, with the juices, and close again to finish cooking.
7. Once the timer tone sounds, open the lid. Discard the bay leaves. Take out the whole chicken pieces and place on a cutting board. Remove the meat from the bone, cut into bite size pieces, and return to the pot. Stir in the cilantro to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
8. To serve, place some warm cooked rice (approximately 1/3 to 1/2 cup depending on portion size) in the bottom of each soup bowl and ladle the soup on top. If desired, sprinkle with additional chopped cilantro and/or chopped peanuts.

The Cuisinart Rice-Plus Multi-Cooker with Fuzzy Logic Technology is for sale at an everyday retail price of $149 at Amazon.com, Bed Bath & Beyond, Bloomingdales, Cooking.com, Cuisinartwebstore.com and Kohls.com.

"Disclosure: I was sent a Cuisinart Rice-Plus Multi-Cooker with Fuzzy Technology to test it out and write an honest review about it. I didn't receive compensation in any other way and this review is based on my family's opinions and they might differ from others"