Steaming With Bamboo: A Guide To Cooking With Steamers

Bamboo steamers are a traditional East Asian cooking tool, used in restaurants and home kitchens. They are made from woven bamboo and consist of stackable trays that fit on top of each other, covered with a lid. The whole steamer is designed to rest on top of a wok filled with hot water, or a skillet if you don’t own a wok. Bamboo steamers are lightweight, efficient, and gentle on food. They are also easy to clean and very affordable.

How to prepare a bamboo steamer for first-time use

Preparing a bamboo steamer for its first use is simple. Here is a step-by-step guide to get you started:

Step 1: Soak the Steamer

Before using a new bamboo steamer, it is recommended to soak the bottom rim in lukewarm water for about 30 minutes. This will prevent the steamer from charring or burning when placed over a heat source. The bottom rim is the part that will come into direct contact with the pan or wok.

Step 2: Wash the Steamer

To remove any dust, debris, or manufacturing odours, wash the steamer with hot water and gently scrub it with a soft brush. You can also use a mild dish soap for this step. This process can be done before each use if desired, but it is not necessary.

Step 3: Prepare Your Cooking Vessel

Fill your wok, skillet, or pan with water. The water level should be just enough to come up slightly below the slats in the bottom tier of the steamer. Make sure the water does not touch the slats, as you are not boiling the food. For a 12-inch pan, use between 3.5 and 5 cups of water, and for a 14-inch wok, use between 4 and 6 cups.

Step 4: Prepare the Steamer

Line each tier of the steamer with cabbage leaves, lettuce leaves, layers of cheesecloth, parchment paper, or reusable silicone liners. This step is important to prevent food from sticking to the bamboo, especially when steaming buns, dumplings, or baos. Cut your liner of choice to fit the steamer tiers, ensuring it is porous to allow steam to circulate.

Step 5: Arrange Your Food

Place your food in a single layer on the liners, leaving space between each item. This spacing is crucial, as it allows steam to circulate and for foods like dumplings to expand as they cook. For foods that expand, leave about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of space, and for larger buns, leave about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm).

Step 6: Place the Steamer in the Cooking Vessel

Adjust the heat to bring the water to a simmer. You should see wisps of steam coming from the steamer and the water. Do not cover the entire vessel with a lid, as this will interrupt the steaming process.

Step 7: Steam Your Food

Allow your food to steam according to your recipe's instructions, checking the water level periodically to ensure it doesn't evaporate completely. Add boiling water as needed to maintain the appropriate level.

Step 8: Clean and Dry the Steamer

After use, clean the steamer with warm, soapy water, and blot excess moisture with a dish towel. Set each tier and lid on a flat surface to air dry completely before storing. Do not stack and store the tiers until they are entirely dry, as moisture can lead to the formation of mould.

Now your bamboo steamer is ready for its first use! Enjoy experimenting with this gentle and healthy cooking method.

How to line a bamboo steamer

To line a bamboo steamer, you'll first need to decide on the type of food you want to steam. If you're steaming buns, dumplings, or baos, lining the baskets is an important step to prevent sticking. You can use perforated baking paper, such as parchment paper, napa cabbage leaves, or even reusable silicone liners. If you're feeling extra fancy, you can use Napa cabbage leaves, but be sure to give them a spritz of non-stick cooking spray. Other options include lettuce leaves, corn husks, banana leaves, or cheesecloth.

If you're steaming vegetables or proteins, place them in a shallow plate and transfer the plate to the steamer basket. You can also cook directly on small plates that fit inside the baskets.

When using a liner, ensure you don't seal off the bottom of the basket. Leave some spaces uncovered so that steam can fill the basket and reach the food.

If you're steaming marinated meats or vegetables, you'll want to use a heat-proof plate or bowl to collect any juices or sauce.

How to stack multiple steamers

Stacking multiple bamboo steamers is a great way to cook multiple types of food simultaneously. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Firstly, ensure you have the right equipment. Bamboo steamers come in various sizes, but a 10-inch to 12-inch diameter steamer with two or three tiers is a common and practical choice for most kitchens. The benefit of having multiple tiers is the ability to cook different foods with varying cook times at once.

Next, prepare your steamers. Before using a new bamboo steamer for the first time, it is recommended to soak the bottom rim, which will come into contact with the wok or pan, in lukewarm water for about 30 minutes. This helps prevent the steamer from charring or scorching.

Now, you can start preparing your food. If you are cooking with multiple baskets, place the foods that take the longest to cook in the first basket at the bottom, and the items needing the least amount of cooking time in the top basket. For example, if you are steaming vegetables, place heavier, slower-cooking vegetables like beets, squash, and potatoes in the bottom basket, and more delicate, quicker-cooking vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, and mushrooms in the top basket.

When stacking the steamers, ensure that the bottom rim of each basket is securely placed on top of the pan or wok, and that the bottom floor of each basket is completely dry. The beauty of bamboo steamers is that they are stackable, allowing you to bulk steam multiple dishes in one go.

Finally, bring water in your wok or pan to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer. Make sure the water level is about half an inch below the bottom of the lowest basket to prevent boiling the food instead of steaming it. Cover the stack of steamers and place them into the wok or pan, ensuring the bottom rim of the lowest basket is submerged in water.

Remember to keep an eye on the water level and replenish it with boiling water if needed. By stacking multiple bamboo steamers, you can efficiently cook a variety of foods simultaneously, making it a convenient and time-saving cooking method.

How to clean a bamboo steamer

Cleaning your bamboo steamer is important to keep it hygienic and feeling brand new. The best way to clean a bamboo steamer is to use organic, natural methods, as the steamer itself is made from organic bamboo.

Firstly, it is important to note that you should not put your bamboo steamer in the dishwasher, and you should not soak it in water in the sink for more than five minutes. Soaking bamboo steamers for extended periods can cause them to fall apart.

One way to clean your bamboo steamer is to use a lemon. Cut a slice of lemon and use it to scrub the steamer. Lemon is a natural disinfectant and will leave a pleasant smell. Rinse the steamer after to get rid of any residue.

Another method is to use a tea bag. Soak a black tea bag in hot water and then gently rub it on the bamboo steamer. Rinse with warm water afterwards to remove any remaining tea.

You can also use a soft nylon brush and some soapy hot water to scrub the bamboo steamer. Rinse with cold water to remove the soapy residue and then let it air dry.

To prevent mould or mildew, ensure the steamer is completely dry before storing it.

What foods to cook with a bamboo steamer

Bamboo steamers are a great way to cook food, and they can be used to prepare a wide variety of dishes. They are especially good for cooking Chinese cuisine, and they are also a healthy and quick way to cook.

Bamboo steamers are great for cooking all sorts of foods, including vegetables, proteins, breads, rice, and dumplings. They can also be used to cook meat, poultry, and fish. Here are some specific examples of foods that can be cooked in a bamboo steamer:

• Vegetables: asparagus, snap peas, green beans, baby beets, peewee potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, squash, enoki mushrooms, and Japanese sweet potatoes.
• Chicken breasts: line the basket with parchment paper to prevent sticking and lingering smells.
• Fish fillets: the same as above, but be sure to include aromatics like ginger and garlic.
• Tofu: firm or soft tofu drizzled with soy sauce and toasted sesame oil, and topped with sliced scallions and sesame seeds.
• Buns, dumplings, and dim sum: use parchment paper or Napa cabbage leaves to prevent sticking.
• Breads, cakes, and other desserts: try steaming instead of baking for a healthier option.
• Meat: a whole duck can be cooked in a bamboo steamer, or try something smaller like a duck breast.

Frequently asked questions