<ul class="summary-list"><li>Using an <keyword id="11910990" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="instant-pot" source="Orion">Instant Pot</keyword> is quicker and provides more consistent results than the stove-top method.</li><li>For perfectly cooked hard-boiled Instant Pot <keyword id="11947982" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="eggs" source="Orion">eggs</keyword>, use a simple "five-five-release" formula.</li><li>Pressure cook your eggs for five minutes, then let the pressure release for five minutes.</li></ul><p>It's not difficult to cook <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-long-to-boil-eggs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hard-boiled eggs</a> when you use an Instant Pot. In fact, an Instant Pot makes preparing the perennial picnic favorite nearly effortless!</p><p>"The Instant Pot gives you eggs that cook and peel beautifully," says Daniel Shumski, the author of four cookbooks, including <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1523502061/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=bihk_082621_instant-pot-hard-boiled-eggs-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1523502061&amp;linkId=d7708ef2df57572b01eb9515de018626df57572b01eb9515de018626" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">"How to Instant Pot."</a></p><p>You might want to use your Instant Pot for hard-boiled eggs for a number of reasons.</p><ul><li>It's a much quicker way to get hard-boiled eggs lunchbox or picnic ready, typically only taking 10 minutes to prepare.</li><li>You don't need to monitor your eggs throughout the <keyword id="11910989" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="cooking" source="Orion">cooking</keyword> process - just set your timer and you can walk away with any fear of the pan boiling over. </li><li>Your hard-boiled eggs will peel better. Pressure cooking creates a moisture barrier between the egg white and the shell, which makes peeling it easier. </li><li>Your Instant Pot will cook your eggs more uniformly and consistently. </li></ul><p><strong>Quick tip:</strong> If you're in the market for a new Instant Pot or multicooker, the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/insider-reviews-expertise-in-product-reviews" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Insider Reviews team</a> tested 10 models to find <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-pressure-cooker-instant-pot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the best ones you can buy</a>.</p><h2><strong>How to use your Instant Pot to make hard-boiled eggs</strong></h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="Halved hard-boiled eggs topped with black and white sesame seeds on a slate background" height="1455" width="1940" msid="85673093" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><p>The Instant Pot's amazing versatility means you can use the multi-function appliance to steam, <a href="https://www.insider.com/instant-pot-mashed-potatoes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pressure cook</a>, or slow cook your favorite foods and recipes. For hard-boiled eggs, the "pressure cook" function is the setting you'll be using. Some Instant Pots even have a built-in "egg" pressure cook setting.</p><p>An Instant Pot is an easy way to make hard-boiled eggs by following Shumski's simple "five-five-release" cooking formula. "Essentially, you cook them for five minutes, let them sit for five minutes, and then release the pressure," he says.<br /><br /></p><ol><li><strong>Fill the Instant Pot with water.</strong> Use one cup of water for six eggs. Place the steaming rack in the inner pot. </li><li><strong>Place the eggs directly on a steaming rack.</strong> Space them evenly or use a silicone insert. Close and lock the lid and set the valve to "Sealing."</li><li><strong style="color: #222222;">Set your Instant Pot. </strong>Choose the "Pressure Cook" option, select "High Pressure," and set the timer to five minutes. Press start.</li><li><strong style="color: #222222;">Let the eggs rest.</strong> After cooking has completed, wait five minutes. This will allow the pressure to come down naturally, which will prevent your eggs from overcooking.</li><li><strong>Release the pressure. </strong>Use a wooden spoon to turn the pressure release valve to "Venting." This will release the pressure. The round steam exhaust safety valve is positioned on the Instant Pot's lid. Some valves have a "handle," which aid in positioning.</li><li><strong>Remove your eggs. </strong>Press "Cancel" and remove the Instant Pot lid.</li><li><strong>Chill your eggs.</strong> Transfer your eggs to a bowl filled with cold water and ice. Allow eggs to cool in the ice water bath for five minutes to stop the cooking process, then remove.</li></ol><p><strong>Quick tip:</strong> For easy removal of the finished eggs, Shumski suggests using a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WVVSBJV/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=bihk_082621_instant-pot-hard-boiled-eggs-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07WVVSBJV&amp;linkId=32e191a01587ecf39aff33c58e1f69fb1587ecf39aff33c58e1f69fb" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">silicone</a> or <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WSRLD95/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=bihk_082621_instant-pot-hard-boiled-eggs-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07WSRLD95&amp;linkId=82c7aedadafafac83b2368edb1e2e5bddafafac83b2368edb1e2e5bd" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">collapsible metal steamer basket</a> inside the bowl of your Instant Pot.</p><h2><strong>Tips and tricks for the perfect hard-boiled eggs</strong></h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-tell-if-eggs-are-good" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Age matters</a> - old eggs are easier to peel. Select eggs that are a week or more old for hard-boiling.</li><li>To peel hard-boiled eggs, try this trick from the <a href="https://www.incredibleegg.org/recipes/easy-hard-boiled-eggs/">American Egg Board</a>: First, drain hard-boiled eggs under cold, running water to help the shell ease off. Next, gently tap the large end of the egg onto a hard surface until the shell is slightly cracked. Peel the egg, starting from the cracked end.  </li><li>A green ring around the yolk means your egg was cooked too long or at too high of a temperature. This is harmless, but can be prevented by setting your Instant Pot pressure to "low" before increasing to "high" and reducing the cooking time by one minute. </li></ul><h2><strong>How to store hard-boiled eggs</strong></h2><p>Hard-boiled eggs should be stored in the refrigerator, at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Unpeeled, they'll keep for up to one week. According to the American Egg Board, peeled hard-boiled eggs should be used the same day.</p><h2><strong>Insider's takeaway</strong></h2><p>When you want to make hard-boiled eggs quickly, an Instant Pot is the answer. An Instant Pot creates uniformly cooked eggs that peel beautifully and, unlike the traditional stovetop method, you don't have to constantly monitor the cooking process when you use an Instant Pot. Set your Instant Pot timer to cook while you get dressed and pack some outdoor games, and both you and your eggs will be picnic-ready in no time.  </p><a data-type="61152f2def8e79623d3ff7b5">How to make perfectly poached eggs, which isn't as hard as you think</a><a data-type="611ff264ec3f554c5268516a">How to make mashed potatoes in an Instant Pot</a><a data-type="60fb1425f1315a085968f36f">How to make foolproof rice in an Instant Pot</a><a data-type="59920009b0e0b5da098b4c57">The 4 best Instant Pots and electric pressure cookers we tested in 2021</a>

How to make hard-boiled eggs in an Instant Pot

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Planning meals for my family of 13 is a feat, but I've found several go-to dinner recipes.</li><li>My 11 kids range from newborn to 20. I've created a rotation of easy meals for each month.</li></ul><p>Feeding <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/costco-best-things-for-moms-to-buy-for-a-big-family">a family of 13</a> isn't an easy feat.</p><p>Each summer — when we're not <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/family-of-5-lives-on-a-boat-full-time-photos">homeschooling</a> — the kids help me plan the meals for the next school year. To keep my family from getting bored, we rotate dinners on a monthly schedule.</p><p>My kids, who range in age from newborn to 19, help me decide on a theme for each night of the week, and we brainstorm four or five meals for each one to rotate throughout the month.</p><p>This way, we eat our dinner options only 12 times a year instead of once a week.</p><p>We've enjoyed a variety of themes, but this year they're roast meat and potatoes; Asian-inspired; taco Tuesday; American; noodle night; pizza night; and seafood. Other themes we've used include soup and sandwiches; Italian; around the world; casseroles; comfort food; fry day; and breakfast for dinner.</p><p>During the brainstorming session, I encourage the kids to think of meals that are <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-you-should-always-get-at-costco-in-bulk">fairly inexpensive</a>, quick to make, and enjoyed by most of the family.</p><p>Read on for a dozen of my tried-and-true meals that help me get dinner on the table.</p><h2>My kids are big fans of chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes</h2><div type="image" title="Chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes" height="1512" width="2016" msid="107923401" hostid="261" sizebytes="340968"></div><p>My kids love the combination of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trying-to-make-popular-fast-food-recipes-in-air-fryer-2021-5">chicken nuggets</a> and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trying-best-mashed-potato-recipes-from-chefs">mashed potatoes</a>. The Instant Pot makes the side dish so simple, even on weeknights.</p><p>While the oven preheats for the nuggets, I have one of my kids help me peel the potatoes. Then I cut them in half and put them in the Instant Pot with a cup of water for 10 minutes on high pressure.</p><p>As the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/instant-pot-mistakes-2019-5">Instant Pot</a> comes to the right pressure, I get the chicken nuggets in the oven. Then I open a bag of frozen vegetables (usually corn or peas for this meal) and start cooking those. I also whip up a quick cream gravy with butter, flour, chicken broth, milk, salt, and pepper.</p><p>When I plan it out like this, everything is ready at about the same time, which works out perfectly.</p><h2>Breakfast for dinner is a favorite in my house</h2><div type="image" title="breakfast for dinner" height="2016" width="1512" msid="107923403" hostid="261" sizebytes="133060"></div><p>Breakfast for dinner is a fun change of pace and a simple meal that the kids can help prepare.</p><p>The menu varies depending on what we have on hand, but it typically includes waffles or pancakes, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trying-best-bacon-at-costco-review-kirkland-signature-bacon-5-2021">bacon</a>, and scrambled eggs.</p><p>I usually make <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/review-trying-ways-to-upgrade-frozen-waffles">waffles</a> from scratch, but I keep a bag of pancake mix on hand in case I run out of an ingredient right before dinner.</p><p>One of my daughters quickly <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-to-add-to-scrambled-eggs-to-make-them-better-2021-6">scrambles eggs</a> while <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trying-recipe-for-perfect-bacon-tiktok-review">bacon cooks in the oven</a>. At the same time, one of my young sons helps make the waffles, because he loves rotating the handle on the waffle maker.</p><p>Sometimes I whip up a quick syrup by boiling two cups of sugar with a cup of water and about a teaspoon of maple extract. Other times the kids put blueberries and whipped cream on their waffles.</p><h2>Spaghetti and meatballs are a classic combo for a reason</h2><div type="image" title="Spaghetti and Meatballs" height="2016" width="1512" msid="107923406" hostid="261" sizebytes="111888"></div><p>Since it's so easy to prepare, spaghetti and meatballs is one of the first meals I teach my kids how to make on the stove.</p><p>They put the frozen meatballs in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 to 20 minutes. While those cook, they boil water and cook <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-and-worst-foods-to-make-with-boxed-pasta">the noodles</a>.</p><p>I help them strain the noodles once they're tender, then they dump a jar of sauce in the pot and heat it all for a minute or two. Marinara sauce is our go-to, but occasionally we try new ones.</p><p>When the noodles are done, we get the meatballs out of the oven and serve dinner with a side salad and a piece of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/which-chef-has-the-best-recipe-for-garlic-bread">garlic bread</a>, which we make by quickly broiling hot-dog buns slathered with butter and sprinkled with garlic.</p><h2>I like to whip up pork tenderloin and potatoes in my Crock-Pot</h2><div type="image" title="pork tenderloin and potatoes" height="1512" width="2016" msid="107923408" hostid="261" sizebytes="450302"></div><p>Dinner doesn't get much easier than this <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/costco-best-things-for-moms-to-buy-for-a-big-family">pork tenderloin from Costco</a>.</p><p>I quickly brown the meat in a pan with a bit of oil. I wash the potatoes and put them in the Crock-Pot, placing the browned pork on top.</p><p>I add generous amounts of salt, pepper, and garlic, and a little water to keep it from sticking. Then I put the lid on, turn it on low, and let the slow cooker prepare dinner while we get on with our days.</p><p>About six hours later, I put together a side salad and slice the meat. It's a simple dinner that everyone eats without complaint.</p><h2>Fish sandwiches are popular for seafood night at my house</h2><div type="image" title="fish sandwich" height="3024" width="4032" msid="107923410" hostid="261" sizebytes="597100"></div><p>Quick fish sandwiches made with <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/frozen-fish-sticks-taste-test-2019-7">frozen fish fillets</a>, hamburger buns, and lettuce are usually on rotation for seafood nights.</p><p>While the fish heats in the oven, I wash the lettuce and tear it into sandwich-sized pieces. When the fish is done, I put a little mayonnaise on the bun, add the fish, and top it with the lettuce.</p><p>I typically serve this meal with steamed vegetables and french fries.</p><h2>I get my kids to help set up our taco bars full of toppings and sides</h2><div type="image" title="taco bar night ingredients" height="1512" width="2016" msid="107923413" hostid="261" sizebytes="381584"></div><p>My kids can help me prepare a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-make-good-tacos-at-home-2019-3">taco bar</a> in no time — and by setting out all the ingredients individually, everyone can decide exactly what they want.</p><p>While my kids prepare the toppings and arrange them on the counter, I brown the meat with a little bit of chopped onion and flavor it with taco seasoning.</p><p>Since most of my kids prefer meatless tacos, one pound of hamburger meat is enough for my whole family.</p><p>Chips and salsa, Mexican rice, and corn are some of our favorites things to add to the simple taco bar.</p><h2>Meatball subs are an easy option for sandwich night</h2><div type="image" title="meatball sandwich" height="1512" width="2016" msid="107923415" hostid="261" sizebytes="315906"></div><p>When we need a quick option for <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-sandwiches-look-like-around-the-world-2018-7">sandwich</a> night but are tired of cold sandwiches, meatballs come to the rescue.</p><p>I cook them in the oven, pour marinara sauce on top, and pop them back in for a few minutes until the sauce is nice and warm.</p><p>Then I spoon the meatballs over sliced French bread, ensuring that everyone gets several meatballs on their sandwich. Hoagie rolls are another great bread option.</p><p>I serve <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/eating-every-subway-sandwich-review-and-photos">these sandwiches</a> with chips and a side salad.</p><h2>My chicken gravy over potatoes comes together quickly</h2><div type="image" title="chicken gravy over potatoes" height="1512" width="2016" msid="107923417" hostid="261" sizebytes="423072"></div><p>For this meal, I plop several boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a pot of water and bring it to a boil. The kids help me peel potatoes, and we start them in the Instant Pot for 10 minutes on high pressure.</p><p>When <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-chef-recipe-for-roast-chicken-reviewed-photos-2021-5">the chicken</a> is close to done, I start the gravy in another pan by melting butter and sprinkling flour on top.</p><p>I whisk it while it cooks for a few minutes to get the flour taste out and add about a tablespoon of Better Than Bouillon, about a cup of water, several cups of milk, and salt and pepper. I mix this all well to get out any clumps and let it thicken over medium-low heat.</p><p>While that simmers, I drain and dice the chicken to add it to the gravy so it all mixes together. Around this time, the potatoes are ready to drain and mash.</p><p>I serve this meal with a cooked vegetable and a roll or piece of bread and butter.</p><h2>I like to spice things up with my simple kielbasa noodles</h2><div type="image" title="12. Kielbasa noodles" height="1512" width="2016" msid="107923419" hostid="261" sizebytes="285724"></div><p>This meal adds a bit of variety to our noodle nights.</p><p>I slice <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-sausages-look-like-around-the-world-2018-9">Polska kielbasa</a> and cook it in a pan with a bit of oil. Then I follow the directions on the package to boil some egg noodles until they're tender.</p><p>During the last minute the noodles are cooking, I dump in some frozen peas. This is the perfect amount of time to get them hot but not mushy.</p><p>Once the noodles and peas are done, I drain them and dump them in the pan with the sausage. I typically add a bit of butter and garlic or a can of Alfredo sauce to keep the noodles from becoming too dry.</p><p>I serve the noodles with a piece of bread and sometimes a side salad to round out the meal.</p><h2>Corned beef and cabbage is one of my family's favorite comfort foods</h2><div type="image" title="corned beef" height="1512" width="2016" msid="107923421" hostid="261" sizebytes="272596"></div><p>I know I'm not the only one who stocks up on this delicious piece of meat each March around St. Patrick's Day. It's a family favorite and too good to eat only once a year.</p><p>I start by putting the meat fat-side up in the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/kitchen/instant-pot-vs-crock-pot">Crock-Pot</a>. Then I add small potatoes, a sliced onion, and baby carrots.</p><p>This takes nearly all day to cook on high, so it's great for when I have time to plan ahead.</p><p>When it's getting close to dinnertime, I slice a head of cabbage and sauté it in a pan. My family prefers this method to cooking the cabbage with the meat and vegetables.</p><p>When everything's ready, I serve it with seeded rye bread.</p><h2>I like to switch up the sauce when I make roasted chicken drumsticks and potatoes</h2><div type="image" title="roasted chicken drumsticks" height="1512" width="2016" msid="107923423" hostid="261" sizebytes="354458"></div><p>For this meal, I place <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ways-youre-cooking-chicken-wrong-2019-5">chicken drumsticks</a> in a baking dish, season them with a little salt and pepper, and let them cook in the oven.</p><p>I also prepare a pan of diced potatoes, diced onions, a little bit of olive oil, and salt and pepper to cook alongside it.</p><p>These both take about 45 minutes to cook.</p><p>Once the meat is done, I add some kind of sauce, usually either Panda Express' sweet and tangy Beijing sauce, barbecue sauce, orange sauce, or sweet-and-sour sauce.</p><p>Once the sauce is on, I cook it for about another five minutes to let everything get hot.</p><p>Some of the kids enjoy bread and butter with their chicken and potatoes, but I also set out a side salad.</p><h2>Cheese quesadillas are one of the easiest, crowd-pleasing meals</h2><div type="image" title="cheese quesadillas" height="3376" width="2379" msid="107923425" hostid="261" sizebytes="373084"></div><p>My young son loves helping make this quick dinner for the family.</p><p>It's the perfect option when we have somewhere to be and need to eat as fast as possible while avoiding the expense of takeout.</p><p>My son is in charge of sprinkling shredded cheese on a tortilla. Then he puts it in the microwave and pushes the "add 30 seconds" button. When it beeps, he can take it out with a bit of help and fold the tortilla in half.</p><p>I help him cut it, and he puts one on a plate for each family member.</p><p>We usually serve the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-and-worst-things-to-eat-at-mexican-restaurants-2020-2">quesadillas</a> with quick sides like fresh fruit or carrot sticks and ranch dressing so cleanup can be as simple as the meal itself.</p><p><em>This story was originally published on June 8, 2021, and most recently updated on February 22, 2024. </em></p>

I'm a mom of 11. Here are 12 cheap, easy dinners I make every month to keep my kids from getting bored.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Elisabeth Brown has been in the luxury travel industry for a decade helping clients plan trips.</li><li>Her job involves booking five-star hotels and catering personalized experiences for clients.</li></ul><p><a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=c0aa730a7dcbaf05cc31b4127e89ec4abf353fcbe3df009c65e3f5e9a8344980&amp;postID=64ac5eca3295ef2adf2bcfbf&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Felisabeth-brown-1137826b%2F" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elisabeth Brown</a> knows her clients' wants — sometimes even before they do. That's part of her job as a client manager for the high-end concierge service <a href="https://www.knightsbridgecircle.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Knightsbridge Circle</a>.</p><p>Whether it's sitting in an even row on a plane instead of an odd one, or staying in a hotel room with plenty of natural light, Brown is able to guarantee a level of comfort and luxury that only the ultra wealthy can expect when traveling.</p><p>Brown, 34, researches and books travel and experiences for guests. In simple terms, she's <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/flight-delays-airline-fees-bad-service-online-booking-internet-travel-2023-7">a travel agent</a>. But the requests of Brown's clientele — and the service she provides — are often far from basic.</p><p>"I've had a client ask me about getting tickets to an opera singer's concert when he was going to be in the area," Brown told Insider. "I said, 'Well actually, why don't you consider this event that the singer hosts every summer at his home?'"</p><p>Her client didn't know that was an option. </p><p>Knightsbridge Circle says it makes "the impossible possible." <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-its-like-concierge-ultrawealthy-knightsbridge-circle-2021-11">Managing Director Peter Anderson</a> told Insider much of that has to do with the detailed nature of its service.</p><p>The annual fee for members is $50,000, he said.</p><p>"What's included in our fee is the servicing, and that servicing is seven days a week," Anderson said. "We work very hard for our fees."<br /><br />Brown, along with her colleagues, has as many as five clients, and is able to customize their itineraries with suggestions.</p><p>She spends about 30% of her time traveling to ensure the experiences she suggests are exceptional.</p><p>Brown has been in the luxury travel industry for a decade and joined Knightsbridge Circle about two years ago. The London agency opened a North America office in 2021.</p><p>Brown gave Insider some insight into what an average day could look like for her.</p><h2>7 a.m.</h2><p>Brown starts her day early and is already on her phone.</p><p>But she's not scrolling social media or browsing the news. Instead, she's making sure there's nothing urgent to attend to for work.</p><p>Most times, she's expecting a message coming from a different time zone. Often it's not something she needs to jump into action for immediately though she does have to be ready for anything. </p><p>"Sometimes I wake up to a message from a client saying, 'Hey, I had a last-minute business meeting. I'm on a plane and landing in Singapore in 12 hours. Can you make sure that a car is there?'" she said.</p><div type="image" title="A lit candle, a cup of coffee, and a laptop all on a table." height="2049" width="1536" msid="101678322" hostid="261" sizebytes="263278"></div><p>She's able to work from her home in Brooklyn most days, though that doesn't mean her days are laid back.</p><p>"I aspire to have a morning routine in place these days that doesn't necessarily involve my phone and emails," she said. "But the reality of it at this stage is once I'm up, I am in work mode."</p><h2>9:30 a.m. </h2><p>During the summer especially, Brown is swamped with inquiries about travel.</p><p>Because of the busy mornings, breakfast needs to be fast. Usually it's a quick scramble of eggs or some oatmeal that she's prepped for the week in a slow cooker.</p><p>"I'm not a big chef, so my skills definitely are limited to breakfast and that's it," she said.</p><p>Her work in the morning is usually based around attending to clients' trips that are already underway. That means sending emails back and forth with partners — like hotels and airlines — and then providing updates to her clients.</p><h2>Noon</h2><p>After attending to emails and calls in the morning, Brown stays ready for urgent demands that come regularly.</p><p>"When you have heads of industry, they often can't confirm their schedules until the last minute," she said. "So then just naturally things happen at the last minute."</p><div type="image" title="A woman standing in front of a pink building in Copenhagen" height="2049" width="1536" msid="101678323" hostid="261" sizebytes="300554"></div><p>One minute she's sending emails, and the next she's building an itinerary to send someone to Iceland the following week, getting a car service set up, or making sure a client's favorite hotel room is available.</p><p>Brown sometimes runs errands to ensure all of her clients' needs are met, including a time when she had to get a new laptop for someone on a six-week trip through Europe.</p><p>"The trickiest part with that was picking it and getting it to FedEx so it would meet them at the appropriate location because they were also traveling throughout the UK and Europe," she said. "We didn't want the laptop to arrive in Paris just after they had left."</p><p>"It was a lot of puzzle pieces in terms of ensuring that it would get to the right place at the right time, which is why I personally did it myself," she said.</p><p>As for a lunch, Brown says she's a "grazer" and snacks on carrots or pretzels throughout the day. </p><h2>3 p.m.</h2><p>In the afternoon, Brown will often take a break and stroll around her neighborhood.</p><div type="image" title="The tops of Brooklyn brownstones and the sky" height="2049" width="1536" msid="101678324" hostid="261" sizebytes="682000"></div><p>She'll make calls to colleagues or friends in the industry to catch up and maybe get some trusted recommendations. Or she'll take 20 minutes to listen to music and "recalibrate and recenter."</p><p>"I think it's important for everyone's brains to do that," she said. "There are certainly days where it doesn't happen, but I always try to make it happen."</p><p>After her break, she will tend to her clients on the West Coast and try to ensure everyone is departing or arriving when they're supposed to.</p><h2>7 p.m.</h2><p>Brown said she's always available to her clients for urgent requests, though normally her day ends around 7 p.m. That's unless she has an evening event to attend — like a hotel group chartering a boat and inviting her to spend a couple of hours on board.</p><div type="image" title="A woman standing near a dinner table in Kenya." height="2016" width="1512" msid="101678325" hostid="261" sizebytes="618282"></div><p>When she's traveling outside New York, Brown might go to Paris for a week to scout hotels or to London to check out experiences like fine dining or hiking trails.<br /><br />"That's a whole other ballgame," she said, referring to her scouting trips. "I've done anywhere from three to five hotel visits per day."</p><p>There's no better way to find out how nice a hotel is than by staying there herself. Although, it's still work. Brown will take notes and share them with her colleagues upon her return.</p><p>When she's home, she looks for ways to release stress after work. That might mean  popping into a dance class with friends. She grew up dancing and was on the dance team at New York University.</p><p>For dinner, she'll often eat out with her husband or meet up with friends at Gramercy Tavern in Manhattan or Saraghina Pizzeria in Brooklyn.</p><h2>Midnight</h2><p>"It's a good day if I'm in bed by midnight," Brown said.</p>

My clients pay $50,000 a year for me to book them the most luxurious and exclusive travel excursions. This is what my day is like.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Long-grain white <keyword id="13726" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="rice">rice</keyword> is not as difficult to cook on the stove as it may seem.</li><li>Be sure to rinse excess starch off the rice first and remember the 2:1 water to rice ratio.</li><li>After your rice is boiled, let it steam and fluff it with a fork to ensure a lighter texture.</li></ul><p><keyword id="27178" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="cooking">Cooking</keyword> rice can be intimidating, and it may take several tries to get it right. But once you've perfected it, fluffy white rice is a versatile foundation for a global array of flavors. It's easy to cook white rice on the stove or microwave if you don't have a rice cooker. </p><p>Chef George Chen, founder of San Francisco's premier Chinese <keyword id="6181" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Food">food</keyword> emporium <a href="https://chinalivesf.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China Live</a> shares his tips on how to consistently cook rice. Chen imports WuChang organic rice from the Heilongjiang area in China's northeast, favored by ancient royalty, as well as Champion rice from Taiwan, but his tips will work just as well with any long-grained rice variety.</p><h2><strong>Before you get started</strong></h2><ul><li><strong>Choose your rice type: </strong>There are many different types of rice, ranging from short to long-grain, including Arborio, basmati, black rice, red rice, sticky rice, jasmine, and many more. Here, we focus on cooking basic long-grain white rice, including Texas long grain and jasmine, which are most commonly used in the United States.</li><li><strong>Rinse your rice: </strong>In Chinese culture, Chen says that three rinses is standard practice. He rinses three times so that the water is clean and clear. This removes excess starch from the outside of the grains helping to prevent gummy or sticky rice.</li><li><strong>Know the rice to water ratio: </strong>Lay your palm flat on top of the rice and the water should just barely cover the top of your hand. More generally, there should be about an inch of water over top of the rice. Chen says that shorter grain rice requires more water than long grain rice. The exact ratio depends on the rice type and cooking vessel. For long-grain white rice, aim for a 2:1 water to rice ratio.</li><li><strong>Portion properly: </strong>1 cup of raw rice becomes 4 cups of cooked rice. Aim for 1 cup of raw rice for every two people, which will equate to two bowls each. Any leftover rice is perfect for making congee or fried rice the following day. </li></ul><p><strong>Quick tip: </strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-rice-cooker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rice cookers</a> are the most consistent way to cook rice because they automatically shut off once the water has been absorbed. You can also use rice cookers to cook other grains, so they're a worthwhile, versatile investment. </p><h2><strong>How to cook rice on the stove</strong></h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="White rice in a strainer being rinsed in the sink" height="1416" width="1888" msid="84190708" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><ol><li><strong>Wash the rice until the water is clear.</strong> Two to three rinses should do the trick. This removes excess starch and prevents the rice from being gummy.</li><li><strong>Combine room-temperature water and rice.</strong> Measure the needed amount of water in a small Dutch oven or heavy pot with a solid, heavy lid to keep the steam in. Long-grain white rice usually requires around a 2:1 water to rice ratio, so if you're boiling 1 cup of raw rice, use 2 cups of water.</li><li><strong>Bring water and rice to a boil.</strong> Once the water comes to a boil, immediately cover and turn the heat to a low simmer. Chen says that Texas long grain rice typically takes a little longer than jasmine rice to cook.</li><li><strong>Let the rice cook undisturbed. </strong>Don't stir the rice and try not to peek. Letting the steam escape will cause the rice to dry out and result in undercooked rice.</li><li><strong>Look for visual cues that the rice is done.</strong> Throughout the cooking process, you'll see lots of steam escaping from under the pot lid. When the steam is almost gone you know it's ready. This usually takes 16 to 20 minutes. You can taste now to make sure the rice is cooked through.</li><li><strong>Let it steam.</strong> Turn the heat off and let it steam in the residual moisture for 10 minutes for a soft, fluffy texture.</li><li><strong>Fluff with a fork.</strong> This separates the grains and prevents clumping, making your rice light and airy. Your rice is now ready to serve.</li></ol><h2><strong>How to cook rice in a microwave</strong></h2><p>Microwaving rice might save time, but Chen is a traditionalist and does not recommend it. If done incorrectly your rice could easily end up harder and less fluffy. That said, if you follow these instructions, your rice will still turn out pretty well, and you may not even be able to tell the difference. If saving time is your priority, give microwaving a shot.<br /><br /></p><ol><li><strong>Wash the rice.</strong> Rinse rice until the water runs clear, just like cooking it on the stove.</li><li><strong>Add rice and water to a microwave-safe bowl. </strong>Use enough water to cover the rice by about half an inch. A fairly wide, shallow container works best and ceramic is better than plastic.</li><li><strong>Season gently.</strong> Add a little olive oil and a pinch of salt to taste, then stir lightly with a spoon to mix oil and salt.</li><li><strong>Microwave in stages. </strong>Microwave on full power for five minutes with a lid on top of the container, but not sealed tight, allowing steam to escape. A lot of the water should be boiled off by this point, but it shouldn't have dried out. If the water is all gone, add a little more. Then, microwave at half power for another 15 minutes.</li><li><strong>Let it steam.</strong> Let rice rest in the microwave for another five minutes. Don't open the door or all the steam will escape.</li><li><strong>Fluff with a fork to break up any clumps.</strong> Now your rice should taste, look, and smell just like it would off the stove.</li></ol><p><strong>Quick tip:</strong> Cooked white rice is good for four to five days refrigerated in an airtight container.</p><h2><strong>Troubleshooting tricky rice</strong></h2><p><strong>Rice is stuck to the bottom of the pan:</strong> Rice can stick if the starch wasn't properly rinsed off before cooking, you used too little water, or your lid was not tight-fitting enough. If you find the rice is stubbornly stuck, close the lid tightly and let it continue to steam. Add a tiny bit more water if necessary. The steam will help loosen the rice.</p><p><strong>Rice is gummy</strong>: Chen says this happens when you peek too often to check on the rice and let steam escape. Or if you don't add enough water to begin with. This can also happen if you don't wash your rice thoroughly.</p><p><strong>The bottom is burnt</strong>: This can happen if you cook the rice too long on the stovetop, if the heat is too high or if you didn't add enough water. Burnt rice can be especially difficult to clean off a pot.</p><p><strong>Rice is too wet</strong>: You added too much water, or you didn't cook it long enough.</p><p><strong>Rice is clumpy: </strong>"Rice should not be clumpy unless you are throwing in old used rice with fresh uncooked rice," Chen says. Rice should cook evenly unless the heat is applied unevenly. </p><h2><strong>Insider's takeaway</strong></h2><p>Long-grain white rice is the most popular rice in the United States and it can be cooked on the stove or in the microwave if you don't have a rice cooker. Cooking rice on the stove takes more careful monitoring, while the microwave method is more prescriptive.</p><p>Depending on the type of rice used, the cooking vessel and the method used, you'll need to make slight adjustments in cooking time and ratio of water to rice. It may take a little trial and error, but after you've successfully cooked rice, use the same vessel to cook your rice each time for consistent results.</p><a data-type="601458bce1cc5c36143e751d">7 ways to use chili crisp, according to professional chefs</a><a data-type="5acb8cbcf41c7819008b4c64">The 4 best rice cookers in 2021</a><a data-type="60b6a00bc29eae17a2328497">How long to boil eggs so they turn out perfectly every single time</a><a data-type="609983f6bac7614ebd4b5d9b">How to grill salmon to flaky, tender perfection - plus tips to prevent sticking</a>

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