Steaming Sausages: Can You Use An Orka Steamer?

Cooking raw sausages can be tricky, but steaming is one of the easiest ways to cook them. Using an Orka steamer, you can conveniently cook juicy and tasty sausages in a flash. The Orka steamer is a 27-ounce round silicone steamer that is both microwave and oven-safe. It cooks food in its own juices, preserving flavour and essential vitamins. Steaming sausages is healthier than frying or grilling as it requires less oil and fat. It also cooks food quickly and efficiently, retaining moisture and flavour. So, can you cook raw sausages in an Orka steamer? Absolutely, yes!

Benefits of steaming sausages

Yes, you can cook raw sausages in an Orka steamer. In fact, steaming sausages has several benefits over other cooking techniques.

Speed and convenience

Steaming is one of the easiest and quickest ways to cook sausages. All you need is a pot of boiling water, and you can have a tasty meal ready in a flash. It takes only minutes for most types of sausage.

Health

Steaming is a healthier option than frying or grilling, as it requires less oil and fat. It also helps to retain essential vitamins and minerals. Steaming also reduces the fat content of your food, as you won't need to use oil or butter.

Moisture and flavour

Steaming helps to retain moisture in your sausages, making them less likely to become dry or tough. It also preserves the natural flavours of the sausages and any juices released during cooking.

Flexibility

Steaming sausages gives you the flexibility to customise each serving according to individual tastes. You can easily adjust the spiciness or mildness of the dish and add extra vegetables to suit your preferences.

How to steam sausages

Yes, you can cook raw sausages in an Orka steamer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam sausages:

Step 1: Clean the Sausages

Rinse the sausages with cold running water to remove any dirt, debris, or bacteria. Ensure you clean all sides of the sausages, then pat them dry with a paper towel.

Step 2: Prepare the Steamer

Fill the Orka steamer with about 2 cm of water and place it on the stove. Turn the heat on high and wait for the water to boil.

Step 3: Steam the Sausages

Once the water is boiling, carefully place the sausages in the steamer. Cover the steamer and maintain a steady heat source. Steam the sausages for about 10-15 minutes, depending on their thickness. For thin sausages, 10 minutes should be enough, while thicker ones may require up to 15 minutes.

Step 4: Check for Doneness

To ensure the sausages are fully cooked, insert a meat thermometer into the center of one of the links. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), beef, pork, and lamb sausages must reach an internal temperature of 160°F, while turkey and chicken sausages must reach 165°F. If the sausages have not reached the desired temperature, continue steaming and check again in a few minutes.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the sausages have reached the correct temperature, carefully remove them from the steamer using tongs. Let them cool slightly, then serve them with your favorite sides and condiments. Enjoy your juicy and flavorful steamed sausages!

Tips and Variations:

• For added flavor, you can use beer or wine instead of water when steaming your sausages.
• Steaming sausages is a convenient and healthy cooking method, as it requires less oil and fat and helps retain essential vitamins and minerals.
• You can steam vegetables along with the sausages for a complete meal. Onions, carrots, peppers, and potatoes pair well with sausages.
• If you prefer a crispy texture, you can grill or sear the sausages in a pan after steaming to give them a golden-brown exterior.

How to clean sausages before steaming

Yes, you can cook raw sausages in an Orka steamer. The Orka Gourmet 27-Ounce Round Steamer is a silicone steamer that can be used in the microwave or oven.

To clean sausages before steaming, you can try the following:

Step 1: Check the casing

Before cooking, check the sausage casing for any tears or holes. If there are any tears, the sausages may not be safe to eat, especially if they are raw. If there are no tears, give the sausages a gentle squeeze to check that the casing is still intact. If the casing feels loose or baggy, it may be best to discard the sausages as the casing may break during cooking.

Step 2: Rinse the sausages

Rinse the sausages under cold running water. This will help to remove any excess salt, spices, or seasonings on the surface of the sausages that could burn during cooking. It will also help to wash away any bacteria that may be present on the casing.

Step 3: Soak the sausages

After rinsing, fill a large bowl with cold water and add in the sausages, ensuring they are completely submerged. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes, and up to overnight in the refrigerator. Soaking the sausages will help to draw out any impurities and ensure they are clean before cooking.

Step 4: Dry the sausages

Once the sausages have finished soaking, remove them from the water and pat them dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. It is important that the sausages are completely dry before placing them in the steamer to ensure they cook evenly.

Step 5: Prepare the steamer

Fill the bottom of the steamer with water according to the manufacturer's instructions, usually around 2 cm of water is sufficient. Place the sausages in the steamer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded, and secure the lid.

Step 6: Steam the sausages

Place the steamer on the stove over medium-high heat and bring the water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium and allow the sausages to steam for around 15 minutes. Check the sausages occasionally to ensure they are not burning or sticking to the steamer.

Step 7: Finish with a sear

Once the sausages are cooked through, you can finish them by searing them in a hot pan with a little bit of oil. This will help to give them a crispy exterior and improve their colour. Simply place the steamed sausages in the hot pan and cook for a few minutes, turning them occasionally, until they are browned on all sides.

And that's it! By following these steps, you can ensure that your sausages are clean and ready for steaming, resulting in juicy and delicious sausages.

How to steam sausages in an electric steamer

Yes, you can cook raw sausages in an Orka steamer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam sausages in an electric steamer:

• Plug in your electric steamer and fill the water reservoir to the recommended level. Refer to the manual for the exact level.
• Place a layer of sausages on one of the steamer trays, ensuring they are not touching or overlapping. If you need to, you can stack another tray on top for more layers of sausages.
• Put all the filled trays into the steamer. You can add liquid ingredients such as broth or wine before closing the steamer and setting it to steam mode.
• Adjust the time settings based on the thickness of your sausages and your desired level of doneness. Thin sausages will take around 10 minutes, while thicker ones will need about 15 minutes.
• When the timer goes off, carefully open the lid to let out the hot steam.
• Use the provided tongs to remove the cooked sausages and place them on a separate dish. Be cautious as the steam and sausages will be very hot.
• Allow the sausages to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them warm with your favourite condiments, such as ketchup or mustard.

Steaming sausages is a convenient and healthy way to prepare them. It is also a quick method that retains moisture and flavour. You can pair steamed sausages with various vegetables, such as onions, carrots, peppers, or potatoes. Additionally, you can customise the spiciness and ingredients to suit individual tastes.

How long does it take to steam a sausage?

Yes, you can cook raw sausages in an Orka steamer. The amount of time it takes to steam a sausage depends on the type of sausage and the method used.

Steaming Sausages in a Frying Pan

One method for steaming sausages involves using a frying pan. First, place a medium-sized frying pan on a stove burner and turn the burner to medium heat. Put butter in the frying pan and wait for it to start bubbling. Then, use tongs to place the sausage links into the frying pan. Turn the sausages with tongs until all sides are brown. Pour a small amount of water into the frying pan so that the entire bottom of the pan is covered. Place a lid on the frying pan and cook the sausages for 5 minutes. Open the lid, turn the sausages over, replace the lid, and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove the lid and insert a meat thermometer into the centre of one of the links. Sausages are done when they reach the following internal temperatures: 160°F for beef, pork and lamb sausages, and 165°F for turkey and chicken sausages.

Steaming Sausages in a Pot

Another method for steaming sausages is to use a pot. Place the sausages in a pan and pour in water so that it comes 1/3 of the way up the sides of the sausages. Turn the heat to high and simmer the sausages. Keep the lid off the pot so that the water can evaporate. Turn the sausages with tongs halfway through the cooking time. Cook the sausages for 20 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F.

Steaming Sausages in an Orka Steamer

An Orka steamer can also be used to steam sausages. Place about 2 cm of water in the bottom of the steamer, turn on the heat, and cover. Once the water boils, place the sausages in the steamer and cover. Steam the sausages for about 15 minutes.

Factors Affecting Cooking Time

The cooking time for sausages may vary depending on the type of sausage and the method used. For example, small sausages, like breakfast sausages, may only need 5 to 10 minutes to finish cooking when pan-fried, while larger sausages may need more time. The desired level of doneness may also affect the cooking time. For example, sausages that are browned on the outside may require less time than sausages that are cooked until they are grey in the centre.

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