Making the Most of your Single Lid Stainless Mugs

Hi Zo’ Fans! Our product of the month for April is our SM-ZA and SM-ZP Stainless Mugs with a one-piece lid. This Stainless Mug actually comes in two models because it comes in multiple sizes, with 8 uplifting colors that are perfect for the season.

The SM-ZA line is simple and sleek, holding up to 20 oz. of your favorite hot or cold beverages or foods. The Pale Orchid and Mint Blue colors add a pretty pop of springtime color, while the Slate Black and Pale White are sophisticated for every occasion.

The SM-ZP line is the smaller, more expressive sibling, topping off at 8 oz. and labeled with cheerful quotes and sketches that take you to relaxing scenes in nature. It’s there to remind you to breathe, take it easy, and enjoy life, as you should! In addition to these graphics, the SM-ZP mugs come in four 2-tone colors, which are Latte Beige (-TZ), Dusty Blue (-AZ), Ash Green (-GZ), and Smokey Pink (-PZ). Cute and stylish, this stainless mug is a great companion to take on-the-go because of its compact design and eye-grabbing colors.

What makes these SM-ZA and SM-ZP Stainless Mugs so unique is that they have a gasket-free, one-piece lid that is easy to clean and prevents the loss of parts. The wide opening makes the drinking experience more like drinking from a regular cup, and the wide opening also accommodates full-size ice cubes for easy filling.

Made with BPA-free plastic and stainless steel, the mugs feature an easy-to-clean nonstick coated interior that is easy to clean in a snap. A special manufacturing technique also ensures that these mugs are ultra-lightweight!

Looking for delicious recipe ideas to carry around in your Stainless Steel mug? Keep scrolling for our suggestions to quench your thirst.

Green Tea White Virgin Sangria

Try this fruit-packed refresher that uses cucumbers, lemon & lime, apples, kiwifruit, as well as green tea, grape juice, and cinnamon. You can use your Zojirushi VE Hybrid Water Boiler & Warmer (CV-DCC40/50) for the boiled water or go old school on the stove.

Zo tip: Have you owned your water boiler for a year? If so, then it’s time to inspect the inner lid gasket and lid for signs of wear. The inner lid gasket or lid should be replaced when it’s becoming rigid, cracking, or experiencing discoloration. Replacement parts for water boilers are available on our Parts & Accessories page.

Oh So Soy Latte

This warm pick-me-up is also a delicious dairy-free treat, combining soy milk, espresso and sugar to your taste. If you like your coffee hot, it’s a good idea to preheat your mug by pouring warm water from a Micom Water Boiler & Warmer (CD-NAC40/50); this ensures that the heat from your drink is not absorbed by the mug and stays in your drink instead.

Zo tip: When warming water in your Zojirushi Water Boiler, don’t put it in the sink when filling: Water boilers have important electric components on the base, and if placed in the sink, they may get wet and damage them. The best way to fill the water boiler is to use a container like a pitcher and fill it. Doing so will ensure all electronic parts are safe and dry.

Fresh Herb Tea

For a simple and aromatic beverage, this tea will become your go-to. Simply set your Micom Water Boiler & Warmer (CD-WCC30/40) to 208°F, and grab some lemongrass, mint stems, and sage leaves.

Zo tip: Did you know that the water boilers need to be descaled with citric acid at least every 3 months? Minerals like calcium will accumulate on the interior surface and, if not cleaned, will cause dispensing issues and may damage the interior. Careful maintenance of your water boiler will ensure its optimal performance. Take a look at our instructional video for step-by-step instructions on how to clean your water boiler.

Which Stainless Mug is your favorite, and where will it take you? Be sure to share your experience with us on social by tagging your photos on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram! #Zojirushi #ZoFan

 

 

Do More with Zojirushi Mini Food Jars: Favorite Meals To-Go

Happy March, Zo’ Fans! As the weather warms up and spring peeks around the corner, we are excited to announce the Stainless Steel Mini Food Jar (SW-EK26H), a colorful and portable delight, as our product of the month. This compact food jar is our smallest member of the Zojirushi food jar family, that can store up to 9 oz of capacity, and comes in two delightfully festive pastel colors, making them the perfect companion for your springtime adventures (even if it’s just to your work-from-home desk set up in the other room!).

If you’re looking for great pack-and-go lunch ideas, look no further – we’ve rounded up some delicious recipes here to get you started. The best part? With our mini food jars, you won’t have to concern yourself about your hot food getting cold or your cold drinks getting warm, and with its portable size and innovative design, you won’t need to worry about spills or leaks making a dent in your busy day. Just fill, pack away, and enjoy. Your mini food jar will keep your goods safe for hours (when used as directed).

Favorite Meals To-Go

Soaking in The Sun

If you’re planning to take your mini food jar outdoors for a picnic or hike, our Wild Rice Salad is a fan favorite that will be perfect as a healthy daytime snack. Using our Pressure Induction Heating Rice Cooker & Warmer (NP-NWC10/18) to cook the wild rice and a skillet to prepare the other grains, this fiber-rich and filling meal can be served either warm or cold. It will even keep in the fridge for yummy leftovers!

Expert Tip: Mind the time, March 14 is daylight savings! Don’t forget to spring forward the clocks on your appliances too. On most Zojirushi rice cookers, breadmakers, and coffee makers, pressing one of the TIME SETTING buttons will get the clock blinking, and then you can change the time.

Don’t forget to pack a drink! It’s always important to stay hydrated when venturing outdoors, and our Fresh Fruit Tea will keep you energized and satisfied all day in our mini food jar. After infusing the tea with your fruits, either fill your food jar with the hot tea or chill it in the fridge first for an ice-cold refresher.

 

Mini Feast in a Jar

Looking to sneak in something a little more decadent for your to-go meal? Our Saucy Pasta will fill your craving with delicious bacon, broccoli, and rich tomato sauce. This recipe is designed for our larger food jars, so make sure to adjust the portions (or save the extra for later!).

Expert Tip: You’ll want to preheat your food jar to make sure the inside stays piping hot. Pour hot water from your water boiler and close the lid to let it warm. Did you know? if you hold down the unlock button, you can turn off the sound or change the melody on your water boiler to a beep. For rice cookers, it’s the TIMER button, and for coffee makers, it’s the CANCEL button.

For a sweet bite to round out your mini feast, indulge in our Red Cranberry Gelatin. Made with fruit juice, fresh berries, and honey, this recipe is light, delectable, and perfect for the kids.

If you want more inspiring recipe ideas for on-the-go, visit our website for a full list of meals specifically tailored for our insulated food jars. What’ll you be making for your mini food jar?

Get to Know the Mini Food Jar (SW-EK26H)

Tiny and Mighty

With a compact design, this mini food jar measures 3 5/8” x 3 5/8” x 4 3/8” (W x D x H), weighs 10 oz, and tops off at 9 oz. Its stainless steel vacuum insulation will keep foods hot or cold for hours and can handle temperatures from 54°F to 122°F. The tight-fitted lid with gasket seals works hard to minimize leaks and maximize heat retention, and the 2-1/2” wide opening makes it easy to fill and easy to clean.

Two Colors

Our product of the month comes in two colors, Pale Orange (-DP) and Pale Blue (-AP), though small, they are bright and eye-catching. Perfect for work lunches, school lunches, family picnics, and more.

Care for Your Food Jar, and it Will Care for You

Make sure to clean your mini food jar and all of your Zojirushi appliances after use, and only use the jar as intended, to store hot or cold food items and beverages. Always be careful when handling hot water, and do not overfill the jar. Did you know you can order replacement parts from

What are your favorite meals to take on the go, and where do you plan to take your new mini food jar? Be sure to share your experience with us on social by tagging your photos on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram! #Zojirushi #ZoFan

 

Easy and Delicious Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas

Welcome to the Month of Love, Zo-fans – a time to celebrate your partner, especially on Valentine’s Day. While many couples decide to have a date night out, some may opt for a more intimate and romantic night in with a homecooked meal. Making dinner at home is a great gesture, but it can also be overwhelming to make a dish that’s more elevated than an everyday dinner, while not being too complicated to make or add hours to clean-up.

We’ve rounded up some ideas to help you prepare a dinner that’s delicious and sure to impress with our best tips for simple prep and clean-up.

Delicious Appetizer

Tomato & Basil Appetizer Style Thin Crust Pizza: Use your Zojirushi Breadmaker to make a homemade pizza appetizer, with fresh tomatoes, prosciutto, and cheese. Simple, yet refined. A wonderful beginning to any meal.

Side Dishes to Pair with Your Meal

Caprese Rice Salad: Use your Zojirushi rice cooker to make this twist on a caprese salad, with a rice base. Featuring pine nuts and herbs, this dish is tasty and can be prepared in advance and refrigerated for 12 hours before serving.

Green Peas and Asparagus Doria: Similar to French gratin, this Japanese dish is made with buttered rice with vegetables, meat or fish, soaked in a bechamel sauce and topped with cheese.

Okra, Asparagus, and Cherry Tomato Salad: This side dish is easy to prepare in minutes, by blanching vegetables with hot water from your Zojirushi water boiler.

Entrée Options

Rolled Stuffed Turkey Breast: Faster than roasting a whole turkey but just as festive. This dish has a delicious stuffing and can be made in our product of the month, the Multicooker (EL-CAC60).

Baked Risotto Lasagna Style: This variation of lasagna is baked to perfection with layers of meat sauce and rice (instead of pasta).

Roasted Chicken and Porcini Mushroom Ravioli with Sherry Sauce: Luxurious porcini mushrooms are the star of this tasty ravioli dish, easy to make using your Zojirushi breadmaker.

Ending on a Sweet Note

Layered Trifle Tower: Not sure about baking? No problem! The batter is baked in your Zojirushi rice cooker. Just layer with custard, whipped cream and fruit!

Chocolate Raspberry Tofu Pie: If you’re looking for a non-dairy but luxe dessert to enjoy, try this pie with a smooth raspberry chocolate filling made with tofu.

Do More with Your Multicooker

You can use your Zojirushi Multicooker (EL-CAC60) to help with a variety of meals for your Valentine’s Day dinner. Nine convenient menu settings include: sauté, simmer, slow cook, steam, rice cooker, quinoa, yogurt, and keep warm. The appliance has 4 temperatures for slow cooking, and preprogrammed grain and yogurt settings that automatically adjust cooking time and temperature to make white rice, brown rice, quinoa and yogurt. The machine also comes with a full color recipe book to continue to make easy and delicious meals to enjoy with your partner. Learn more here:

Easy to Make, Easy to Clean

The best part about Zojirushi appliances is their thoughtful construction, not only for cooking but also for clean-up. Here are some tips to clean and maintain the rice cooker used for your Valentine’s Day meal:

Remove & Clean Inner Lid: During the boiling process, starchy foam will adhere to the inner lid and become dirty. The inner lid is designed so it can be removed and washed thoroughly. Especially if you add any ingredients other than rice (such as condiments) when cooking, wash thoroughly to prevent odors.

Remove & Clean Steam Vent Cap: The steam vent cap is there to catch any foam that forms during cooking. Make sure you remove and clean it after each use to prevent from clogging.

Tips to Keep Inner Pan Scratch Free: The inner pan is nonstick coated for easy cleaning (rice is very sticky). When cleaning or washing, don’t put forks, knives or other cooking utensils in the inner pan. The pan should be hand washed with a soft sponge and a mild dishwashing liquid. Please only use the rice spatula that came with your rice cooker to keep the pan from scratching and deteriorating.

What are your favorite meals to make for your significant other? Are you planning on trying any of the recipes or tips we shared today? Be sure to share your experience with us on social by tagging your photos on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram! #Zojirushi #ZoFan

On-the-Go Tea Time with Our Tea Tumbler

Happy National Hot Tea Month, Zo Fans! At Zojirushi we love enjoying a cup of tea in the morning, on-the-go, at work, and even at the end of our day. Our new Stainless Tea Tumbler with Handle (SE-KAE48) is leak-proof, vacuum insulated and designed to perfectly house your beverage whether you are at home or on the run, and that’s why it’s the first product of the month in the new year! Inspired by the traditional purple clay teapot, the fine texture of its porous finish creates the sense of familiar comfort with every sip. Keep reading to learn all about this tumbler, how to take care of it, and how to use tea to prepare delicious dishes to celebrate this month.

Tea Tumbler Special Features

Excellent Temperature Control: This tumbler is built with a stainless steel vacuum insulated wall to offer superior heat and cold retention for hours after pouring into the container. The stainless steel vacuum insulation also minimizes heat transfer to keep the exterior from getting hot and minimizes condensation if you’re carrying a cold drink.

Tea Strainer & Infuser: Included with this tumbler is a stainless steel direct brewing tea infuser & strainer combo, which has a handle for easy removal. Use just the tea strainer to brew large loose tealeaves like oolong, or the infuser for black and green tea. The tea strainer will keep tealeaves from flowing out, or if you prefer, the infuser/strainer combo can be removed and placed on the lid that conveniently turns into an infuser stand.

Leak Proof: The lid and handle are designed to be carried with you and provide peace of mind to be leak proof (when used according to the manual). Take it with you on your morning walk, in the car on the way to work, or as you move around the house to enjoy your Sunday.

Caring for Your Tea Tumbler

Zojirushi loves building products that last. Here are some tips on how to clean, maintain or update your tumbler to keep it as good as new:

How to remove coffee & tea stains: As the tumbler is used, tea or coffee stains may accumulate on the interior surface of the mug. These stains can be easily removed using a bleach/chlorine-free food and beverage stain remover.

When to replace gasket and plastic parts: The gaskets should be replaced if they are becoming less flexible or cracking. The cover and stopper should be replaced if they are damaged or cracked. We recommend that the parts are carefully inspected at least yearly in case a part is showing signs of wear.

Don’t use bleach: Bleach will cause the stainless steel to rust and the stopper and cover to experience premature wear. The tumbler and its parts should be hand washed with a soft sponge and a mild dishwashing liquid.

Our Go-To Tea Recipes

You’ve heard of cooking with wine, but did you know you can use tea as a signature ingredient in many other dishes? Take a look at our favorite recipes below that incorporate various teas and pro-tip: make more tea than the recipes ask for so you can have something to sip on while the dishes are being prepared.

  • Black Tea Panna Cotta: This creamy Italian dessert with a hint of Earl Grey tea makes an excellent afternoon dessert. Make some extra tea when you are preparing the dessert to enjoy in your tumbler while the dish is being prepared.
  • Green Tea Chicken Stew: If you’re looking for something savory, this green tea chicken stew is a delicious and comforting soup that features grated ginger, sake, mirin, and other umami-rich flavors.
  • Oolong Tea Chicken Bites: This dish features meatballs cooked in a delicious oolong tea soup, which adds a savory and unique flavor profile. Warm and comforting, perfect for National Hot Tea Month.

What are your favorite ways to enjoy tea? Are you planning on trying any of the recipes or tips we shared today? Be sure to share your experience with us on social by tagging your photos on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram! #Zojirushi #ZoFan

Holiday Planning Made Simple

The holiday season is something we look forward to all year long. A time to catch up with old friends safely and to have some of our favorite meals with our favorite people. If you are hosting this year’s get together and are looking for delicious crowd-pleasing recipes that will allow you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your guests, look no further! Here are our top recipes and kitchen tool tips to give you a hand with your upcoming gathering.

A Warm Welcome

Welcome your guests with a warm beverage when they first arrive. Program your Micom Water Boiler & Warmer (CD-NAC40/50) in advance to one of 4 keep-warm temperature settings, ready for the welcome beverage you plan on serving. Your guests might enjoy:

  • Houjicha: A Japanese tea, unique from other green teas because it is roasted over charcoal, and therefore the leaf color tints reddish brown. This roasting creates a distinct and soothing aroma.
  • Oolong Coconut Milk Tea: A slightly sweet milk tea, offering a creamy afternoon treat that’s perfect for vegan and dairy-free guests. Boil and add in your favorite boba for a fun twist on this drink!
  • Matcha Made in Heaven: For the adults, consider this warm matcha cocktail. Subtly sweetened with honey to complement a delicate matcha flavor, paired with whiskey and garnished with lemon.

Dinner on Standby

Many Zojirushi products have a Keep Warm setting to help you prep for dinner beforehand and keep your foods hot until ready to serve. Utilize your appliances to free up time! Our Gourmet Sizzler® Electric Griddle (EA-BDC10), for example, helps prepare appetizers ahead of time and uses the keep warm feature so they stay at the perfect temperature until guests are ready for seconds.

Offering appetizers on skewers is a great option if you’re running out of serving spoons or want to offer guests a quick grab-and-go right from the skillet while they’re waiting for dinner to be formally served. Some of our favorite options for appetizers on skewers include Corn Dog Nuggets and Cheesy Spinach Munches.

Making dinner rolls for a family get-together? The automatic rise-then-bake function on our new Micom Toaster Oven will proof the dough for the second rise and then automatically bake it for you. Bonus: it frees up your oven for other dishes! The Micom Toaster Oven (ET-ZLC30) can also help you make delicious Spanakopita, a savory pastry pie made with a spinach and cheese filling, inside of a buttery and crispy filo crust – perfect for a side or an appetizer.

If you’re wondering how to offer a time-saving twist on main entree classics, consider making Rolled Stuffed Turkey Breast, a more compact and faster way to offer roasted turkey using our Multicooker (EL-CAC60), or a Spinach and Turkey Lasagna using the Home Bakery Supreme® Breadmaker (BB-CEC20).

A Sweet Ending to a Sweet Day

The best dinners end with dessert and a good cup of coffee. A Zojirushi air pot will keep your coffee hot to the last drop, without making it bitter. Air pots are great for self-serve beverage stations, too!

Did you know you can prepare many delicious desserts using the Home Bakery Supreme® Breadmaker (BB-CEC20)? Here are some of our favorite recipes you can use to close out your holiday meal:

  • Skillet Bread with Cranberry Cheese Dip: A delicious finger food that can be baked right in a cast iron, with a cranberry cheese dip that’s a holiday treat.
  • Bourbon Street Beignets: Donut hole-like pastries that are coated generously with powdered sugar, and a New Orleans classic
  • Choco Cornet: Shaped like an instrument, the Italian-named pastry is a treat any chocolate lover will love

What are your favorite Zojirushi appliances to use on busy days? Are you planning on trying any of the recipes or tips we shared today? Be sure to share your experience with us on social by tagging your photos on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram! #Zojirushi #ZoFan