Cooking Frozen Food: Bamboo Steamer Magic

Bamboo steamers are a popular kitchen tool for cooking a variety of foods, from vegetables and seafood to chicken, dumplings, and buns. They are especially useful for cooking frozen foods, such as dumplings, as there is no need to thaw them before placing them in the steamer. Bamboo steamers are inexpensive, easy to use, and can be placed directly on top of a pot or wok of boiling water to cook food gently and efficiently. With stackable layers, they allow you to cook a whole meal at once, making them a convenient and healthy option for preparing meals.

How to prepare a bamboo steamer before use

To prepare a bamboo steamer before its first use, it is important to clean and treat it properly to remove any dust and make it more durable for steaming in the future. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do this:

Firstly, wash and clean the steamer, including all baskets and the lid, using hot, soapy water and a sponge or nylon brush. Rinse the steamer thoroughly with hot water.

Next, fill a pot with hot water and place the steamer inside to soak. The pot should be large enough to hold the entire steamer. Allow the steamer to soak for at least 8 hours or overnight. However, check the manufacturer's instructions to ensure that your steamer can withstand soaking in hot water, as some cannot.

After soaking, remove the steamer from the pot and allow it to dry completely. Then, rub the steamer's outer and inner surfaces with a cloth or paper towel dipped in vegetable, canola, or olive oil.

Your bamboo steamer may have a strong odour initially due to its natural material. To help eliminate this, clean the steamer again with hot, soapy water, and steam it for about 1-2 hours, ensuring there is enough water. Then, soak the steamer in hot water for 30 minutes, again checking the manufacturer's guidelines to ensure this step is suitable for your steamer.

If the odour persists, there are a few additional steps you can try. Soak the steamer in a one-to-two mixture of white vinegar and water, then rinse with hot water. Alternatively, sprinkle baking soda on the steamer and let it sit for a few hours before rinsing with hot water and allowing it to air dry.

Now your bamboo steamer is ready to use! Before your first cook, it is recommended to soak the bottom rim of the steamer (the part that will come into contact with the wok or pan) in lukewarm water for about 30 minutes to prevent scorching.

How to cook frozen dumplings in a bamboo steamer

Yes, you can cook frozen food in a bamboo steamer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook frozen dumplings in a bamboo steamer:

Step 1: Prepare the Wok or Pan

Place the bamboo steamer into a wok or a wide-rimmed, shallow pan. Fill it with enough water to come up above the bottom rim of the steamer by about a quarter to half an inch. Ensure the water level is high enough to submerge the bottom rim of the steamer, preventing it from scorching.

Step 2: Prepare the Bamboo Steamer

Line the bamboo steamer baskets with something to prevent the dumplings from sticking. You can use napa cabbage leaves, lettuce leaves, cheesecloth, parchment paper, or reusable cloth/silicone liners. The liner should be porous to allow steam circulation. Leave about 1 inch between each dumpling to allow for expansion during steaming.

Step 3: Add Dumplings to the Steamer

Place the frozen dumplings in the lined steamer, ensuring they are not overcrowded.

Step 4: Place the Steamer in the Wok/Pan

Place the steamer into the wok/pan. You can either preheat the water to a simmer before adding the steamer or place the steamer when the water is still cold and then turn on the heat.

Step 5: Steam the Dumplings

Once the water in the wok/pan is simmering, allow the dumplings to steam according to the recipe's instructions. Keep an eye on the water level and add boiling water as needed to maintain the simmer. Steam frozen dumplings for about 10 minutes or until cooked through.

Tips:

• Before using a new bamboo steamer, consider soaking the bottom rim that will come into contact with the wok/pan in lukewarm water for about 30 minutes to prevent scorching.
• Always ensure the bamboo steamer is fully dried before storing to prevent mold formation.
• To clean, wash with mild dish soap and immediately rinse, then let it air dry completely.

How to cook frozen meat in a bamboo steamer

Yes, you can cook frozen meat in a bamboo steamer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare your bamboo steamer and wok/pan

Firstly, place your bamboo steamer into a wok or a wide-rimmed, shallow pan. Ensure that the steamer is large enough to fit into your chosen pot or pan. Fill the wok/pan with enough water to come up above the bottom rim of the steamer by about a quarter to half an inch. The water level should be high enough to submerge the bottom rim of the steamer, but not so high that the bubbling water touches the bottom of the steamer or the food. If your bamboo steamer is new, soak the bottom rim in water for 30 minutes to prevent scorching.

Step 2: Prepare your frozen meat

Line the bamboo steamer with something porous to prevent the food from sticking to the bamboo. You can use napa cabbage leaves, lettuce leaves, cheesecloth, parchment paper, or silicone liners. If you are steaming marinated meat, place it in a heatproof bowl/plate to collect the juices.

Step 3: Place the frozen meat in the steamer

Place your frozen meat in the bamboo steamer, leaving enough space for the food to expand. Do not overcrowd the steamer.

Step 4: Place the steamer in the wok/pan

Place the bamboo steamer into the wok/pan. You can either preheat the water so it is simmering, or place the steamer in when the water is still cold and then turn on the heat.

Step 5: Allow the meat to steam

Once the water is simmering, the food will begin to cook. Ensure that you keep an eye on the water level and add boiling water as needed to maintain the simmer. Do not add cold water, as this will interrupt the cooking process. Steam for as long as your recipe indicates.

Step 6: Care and maintenance of your bamboo steamer

After use, wash your bamboo steamer with a sponge and mild dish soap, then immediately rinse thoroughly. Allow the steamer to air dry completely before storing to prevent mould or mildew. Do not put the steamer in the dishwasher or soak it in water for more than 5 minutes.

Tips:

• If you are steaming dumplings or buns, there is no need to thaw them first. Place them in the steamer straight from frozen.
• You can stack two steamers on top of each other to cook two types of food separately but simultaneously.
• You can infuse your food with extra flavour by steaming it in sake, wine, beer, dashi, or vegetable broth instead of water. Alternatively, add herbs, scallions, ginger, or garlic to the steamer.

How to clean a bamboo steamer

Yes, you can cook frozen food in a bamboo steamer. There is no need to thaw dumplings or buns that were once frozen. Simply place the frozen dumplings in the steamer and start the steaming process.

As bamboo steamers use heat and steam to cook food, bits of food can get stuck in the bamboo. To keep your steamer hygienic, it is advised to clean it after each use. Here are some natural ways to clean your bamboo steamer:

• Lemon: Cut a slice of lemon and use it to clean your bamboo steamer. Lemon is a natural cleaning agent that is not too abrasive, leaves a pleasant smell, and acts as a disinfectant. Rinse the steamer after cleaning to remove any residue.
• Tea Bag: Get a black tea bag and soak it in hot water. Gently rub the tea bag on the bamboo steamer to remove any remaining food and bacteria. Rinse with warm water to remove any remaining tea before using.
• Nylon Brush: Steam the bamboo to deep cleanse it, then use a soft nylon brush, soapy hot water, and cold rinse to clean the basket. This method ensures a gentle but effective scrub without damaging the delicate bamboo material.
• Liners: Use parchment paper, aluminium foil, or lettuce leaves as liners to protect the bamboo from food residue.
• Immediate Rinse: If food gets on the steamer, rinse it immediately.
• Air Dry: After cleaning, let the steamer air-dry completely before storing.
• Storage: Do not store the bamboo steamer in a humid place. Ensure it is fully dried before storing to prevent mould or mildew.
• No Soaking or Dishwasher: Avoid soaking the bamboo steamer for extended periods or putting it in the dishwasher, as this can cause it to fall apart.

What foods can be cooked in a bamboo steamer

A bamboo steamer is a great way to cook a wide variety of foods. Bamboo steamers are stackable, lightweight, and beautifully crafted. They are also an efficient way to cook a whole meal in layers.

You can steam anything from buns and dumplings to breads, vegetables, rice, proteins, and cakes and other desserts.

Vegetables

Vegetables such as asparagus, snap peas, green beans, baby beets, peewee potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, squash, enoki mushrooms, and Japanese sweet potatoes can be steamed in a bamboo steamer. For even cooking, arrange the heavier, slower-cooking vegetables on the bottom tier and the more delicate vegetables on the top tier.

Proteins

Chicken breasts, fish fillets, and tofu are great options to cook in a bamboo steamer. They cook quickly and don't require any extra oil.

Dim Sum and Dumplings

Dim sum, such as shrimp dumplings, and dumplings, such as pork soup dumplings, are perfect for cooking in a bamboo steamer.

Buns and Breads

Steaming buns, such as shiitake steamed buns, and breads is a common use for bamboo steamers.

Desserts

You can also steam cakes and other desserts in a bamboo steamer.

Frozen Foods

You can cook frozen foods in a bamboo steamer. For example, if you are steaming dumplings or buns that were frozen, there is no need to thaw them first. Simply place the frozen items in the steamer and start the steaming process.

Frequently asked questions