Steam Basket In A Pressure Cooker: Necessary Or Not?

Steam baskets are a great accessory for pressure cookers, allowing you to cook a wider variety of foods. They are especially useful for cooking delicate foods like eggs, preventing them from rocking and breaking under pressure. They're also handy for cooking tough or firm vegetables, meatloaf, whole chicken, and even desserts like cakes or bread, as they keep the food elevated above the water or liquid in the base of the pot.

Most modern pressure cookers come with a simple steamer basket insert, but there are many types available, including compartmentalized and multi-level baskets that can cook multiple foods at once. If your pressure cooker doesn't have a perforated insert, a collapsible stainless steel steamer that opens and closes like a flower is a good option. These are durable and resistant to rust and corrosion, and the centre stem should be removable for cooking larger dishes.

So, do you need to put a steam basket in your pressure cooker? While it's not essential, it certainly opens up a world of culinary possibilities and makes cooking certain foods much easier.

Why use a steamer basket in a pressure cooker?

A steamer basket is a valuable accessory for your pressure cooker, enabling you to cook a wider variety of foods.

Firstly, a steamer basket is essential for cooking delicate foods such as eggs. Without a steamer basket, eggs would sit directly on the surface of the inner pot, making them vulnerable to jostling and breaking during the cooking process. A steamer basket elevates the eggs, providing a more stable cooking environment.

Secondly, a steamer basket is useful for cooking foods that you don't want to be sitting in the liquid in the base of the pot. For example, when cooking meatloaf, whole chicken, and other meats, a steamer basket prevents the food from becoming soggy by keeping it above the water. Similarly, when making desserts like cakes or cheesecake, a steamer basket ensures that your dessert doesn't end up sitting in the water, affecting the texture and taste.

Thirdly, a steamer basket is ideal for cooking tough or firm vegetables. By elevating the vegetables above the liquid, the steamer basket prevents them from soaking up too much water. This is especially beneficial when cooking potatoes, ensuring they don't become waterlogged and mushy.

Additionally, a steamer basket can be used to cook multiple foods at once, saving time and effort. Compartmentalised and multi-level baskets allow you to cook several different foods simultaneously, with the items requiring the most cooking time placed at the bottom near the heat source and those needing less time placed at the top.

Finally, steamer baskets offer versatility in terms of the steaming liquid used. While water is traditionally used, you can add flavour by steaming with wine, herbs, vinegar, broth, or even tomato sauce. The steaming liquid can then be used as a sauce for your dish, adding extra flavour to your meal.

In summary, a steamer basket is a valuable addition to your pressure cooker, enabling you to cook a wider variety of foods with better texture, taste, and presentation. It simplifies the cooking process, ensuring your meals are cooked to perfection.

What foods can be cooked with a steamer basket?

A steamer basket is a perforated barrier that separates the food from the direct heat of the pot. The hot steam circulates and cooks the food, gently cooking the ingredients instead of using more intense techniques like roasting or boiling.

Steaming is a great way to cook a wide variety of foods, including:

Vegetables

Any vegetable, from delicate to hearty, can be steamed. Hearty vegetables like winter squash, beets, broccoli, and potatoes will take longer to steam than tender vegetables like peas, green beans, summer squash, and leafy greens.

Seafood

Steaming is a great way to cook delicate seafood and keep it moist. Shrimp, clams, and mussels cook quickly, whereas thicker fish fillets like salmon, cod, and halibut take a bit longer and can be steamed with or without the skin.

Dumplings and buns

A variety of bao buns and dumplings, from meat-filled to vegetable-packed, can be steamed in any type of steamer basket. If desired, sear the dumplings in a hot skillet with some oil to develop a crunchy crust after they have been steamed.

Eggs

You can make perfect hard-boiled eggs in a steamer basket instead of boiling them.

Fruit

Steaming fruit is also possible with a steamer basket.

How to use a steamer basket

A steamer basket is an essential accessory for a pressure cooker as it helps to retain nutrients in your food and prevents overcooking.

• When using water to steam your food, let it boil for 5-10 minutes before placing the basket in the pressure cooker.
• If your pressure cooker has multiple pressure levels, choose the lowest one unless instructed otherwise by the manufacturer.
• Place the steamer basket slowly into the pressure cooker.
• Add the food you want to steam. If you are cooking seafood or fish, use the recommended cooking settings to avoid overcooking. For juicy foods, grease the basket slightly to prevent sticking.
• After cooking, remove the steamer basket. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for safe removal.

Some additional tips for using a steamer basket:

• Place foods that require more cooking time at the bottom of the basket, closest to the heat source.
• You can flavour the steaming water with vinegar, wine, herbs, broth, or even tomato sauce. The steaming liquid can then be used as a sauce for your dish.
• The liquid used for steaming vegetables and seafood can be saved and refrigerated for up to a week. It can be added to stocks for extra flavour.
• If your pressure cooker does not have a perforated insert, invest in a collapsible stainless steel steamer that opens like a flower. Choose the largest size that will fit your cooker to maximise the flat surface area for cooking.
• If your pressure cooker came with a steamer basket, it likely also came with a trivet. Always use the trivet to keep the basket raised out of the steaming liquid.
• If you don't have a steamer basket, a wire mesh basket or a colander made of heat-proof material can be used as a substitute.
• For electric pressure cookers with non-stick interiors, use silicone steamer baskets to avoid scratching the surface.

So, the next time you want to steam vegetables or cook delicate foods like eggs, consider using a steamer basket with your pressure cooker!

What are the advantages of using a steamer basket?

A steamer basket is an incredibly useful accessory for your pressure cooker, allowing you to cook a wide variety of foods with ease. Here are some advantages of using a steamer basket:

Cooking a Variety of Foods

Steaming is a versatile cooking method, and with a steamer basket, you can prepare anything from vegetables to fish, seafood, poultry, fruit, and even eggs. This allows you to cook a complete meal in your pressure cooker without needing multiple pots and pans.

Elevating Delicate Foods

Steaming is an excellent way to cook delicate foods such as eggs, as the basket prevents them from sitting directly on the surface of the inner pot, reducing the risk of breakage. The basket also keeps foods like eggs from moving around and bumping into each other, ensuring they remain intact.

Adjusting Cooking Times

When cooking multiple foods with varying cooking times, a steamer basket lets you adjust by placing foods that require more time at the bottom, closer to the heat source, and foods that cook faster at the top. This ensures everything cooks evenly and nothing gets overcooked or undercooked.

Flavoring Steam

While steam doesn't impart a strong flavor to your food, you can add herbs, spices, wine, or vinegar to the water to give your dishes a subtle boost of flavor. Alternatively, you can use broth or tomato sauce as the steaming liquid, which can then be used as a sauce for your meal.

Ease of Use and Cleanup

Using a steamer basket is simple – just follow the manufacturer's instructions for specific foods. Most baskets are also dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a breeze. Additionally, the basket keeps your food elevated, creating a calmer cooking environment and making it easier to handle delicate dishes.

What are some alternatives to a steamer basket?

If you don't have a steamer basket, there are a few alternatives you can use in your pressure cooker.

Firstly, you can use a colander made from heat-proof material, or a wire mesh basket. These options are best used in a bind, as they are not designed to withstand high temperatures or protect your food and pressure cooker.

Another option is to use a stainless steel colander. This should fit well inside your Instant Pot, and is a safer alternative to the above.

You can also steam vegetables without a steamer basket by placing them directly on the bottom of the Instant Pot. However, this method will not produce the same results as using a steamer basket.

If you're feeling creative, you can even make your own steamer basket! Here's how:

• Grab two aluminium pie plates
• Punch holes in one of them, using a knife or fork, then flip it upside down and place it inside your Instant Pot
• Fill the pot with water, up to the top of the plate
• Get the second plate and flatten it with a rolling pin
• Get a parchment round and place it on top of the flattened pie plate, then punch holes through both items
• Place the items on top of the first plate, and you're done!

Frequently asked questions