Steaming Simplified: Techniques For Perfectly Steamed Food

Steaming is a versatile and healthy cooking technique that can be used to cook a wide variety of foods, preserving their nutritional content, colour, and texture. It is an indirect cooking method that uses hot steam generated from water to cook food. While steaming is especially prevalent in East Asian cuisines, it is a universal cooking technique, used to make tamales in Mexico and seafood boils in the US. This introduction will cover the benefits of steaming, the equipment required, and the steps to steam food.

How to steam vegetables

Steaming is a healthy and delicious way to cook vegetables. It's easy to do, and you can use a variety of tools to steam them. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to steam vegetables:

What You'll Need:

You'll need a pot or pan with a lid, and a steamer basket or insert. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use a heatproof item such as an inverted bowl or aluminium foil balls to keep the food from touching the water. Alternatively, you can use a collapsible steamer basket, a simple tiered bamboo steamer, or an electric steamer.

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

Chop the vegetables into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. Root vegetables like carrots should be sliced, while some vegetables like artichokes and leafy greens can be kept whole.

Step 2: Add Water to the Pot or Pan

Fill the pot or pan with about 1-2 inches of water. The water level should be just under the steamer basket or insert. If using a collapsible steamer basket, add the water to the pot first, then lower the basket into the pot.

Step 3: Place the Vegetables in the Steamer Basket or Pot

Place the vegetables in the steamer basket or directly into the pot, if using a collapsible steamer basket or a pot without an insert. Make sure the vegetables are in a single layer for even cooking.

Step 4: Cover and Steam

Cover the pot or pan with a lid to trap the steam. Turn the heat to medium-low and allow the vegetables to steam until tender. The cooking time will vary depending on the type of vegetable, so refer to a vegetable steaming guide for specific timings. For example, broccoli takes 3-5 minutes, while carrots and green beans take 4-5 minutes.

Step 5: Season and Serve

Once the vegetables are tender, carefully remove them from the steamer and place them in a bowl. You can season them with olive oil, butter, kosher salt, fresh herbs, lemon juice, or your favourite spices. Serve and enjoy!

Tips:

• Avoid overcooking the vegetables, as this can lead to soggy and bland results.
• You can steam frozen vegetables, but they may have a softer texture.
• Steaming is a great way to preserve the nutrients, flavour, and texture of vegetables.

How to steam without a steamer basket

Steaming is a moist-heat cooking method where boiling water evaporates into steam, and the steam cooks the food. Typically, an inch or so of water boils in the bottom of the pan, with a steamer basket holding the food above the water level. However, if you don't have a steamer basket, there are several other ways to steam food. Here's how to steam without a steamer basket:

Using a Heatproof Plate and Aluminium Foil

This method involves using a large pot, a heatproof plate, and some aluminium foil. First, roll three sheets of aluminium foil into balls about the size of baseballs or golf balls. Place these on the bottom of the pot and pour in about an inch of water. Then, rest a heatproof plate on top of the foil balls and add the food you want to steam to the plate. Finally, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and let it steam.

Using a Wire Cooling Rack

If you have an elevated wire cooling rack, you can use it instead of a steamer basket. Simply add an inch of water to a pot with a tight-fitting lid, place the wire cooling rack in the pan, and put the food on top of the rack. Close the lid and steam until your food is cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Using a Disposable Aluminium Pie Pan

This method involves using a disposable aluminium pie pan with holes poked in the bottom. Place the pan upside down into a pot filled with about an inch of water, and put the food on top of the inverted pan. The edges of the pan will keep the food from touching the water, and the flat surface will support the food.

Using a Microwave

This method is best for steaming vegetables. Place your food in a microwave-safe bowl, add a few tablespoons of water, and cover the bowl tightly with microwave-safe plastic wrap. Make sure the plastic wrap doesn't touch the food. Then, microwave for 4-6 minutes until the food is fork-tender.

How to steam with a wok setup

Steaming is a traditional Asian cooking technique that is a great way to cook nutritious and tasty food. It is a gentle cooking method that is far older than stir-frying and is perfect for delicate foods such as dumplings, buns, and rice.

What you need:

• A wok with a lid
• A heat-proof dish that can fit inside the wok
• Something to prop up the dish above the water, such as a metal steam rack or a clean, empty metal can
• A pot or bowl to boil water in
• Food to be steamed

Step-by-step:

• Fill the pot or bowl with 1-2 inches of water and bring it to a boil.
• Place the metal steam rack or empty can in the centre of the wok. The water level should be low enough that it doesn't touch the rack or can.
• Put the heat-proof dish on top of the rack or can, making sure there is enough space between the dish and the wok for steam to circulate.
• Place the food in the dish, ensuring individual pieces don't touch (unless you're steaming vegetables).
• Cover the wok with its lid and place the entire setup on the stove.
• Turn the heat to medium and bring the water to a simmer.
• Steam for the amount of time indicated in your recipe, regularly checking the water level and adding boiling water as needed.
• Once the food is ready, carefully remove the lid (watch out for the hot steam) and take out the food using cooking chopsticks or a fork.

Tips:

• If you're steaming vegetables, you can place them directly on the steaming rack without using a separate dish.
• For longer steaming times, use more water, ensuring it doesn't come within 1 inch of the bottom of the dish.
• To prevent food from sticking, grease the dish with non-stick spray or line it with cabbage leaves.
• Avoid opening the lid frequently, as this will let heat and steam escape, increasing cooking time.
• Use a hot dish clip or tongs to handle hot dishes and avoid steam burns.

With this wok setup, you can easily steam a variety of foods, from dumplings and buns to vegetables, fish, and meats. Enjoy experimenting with different ingredients and recipes!

How to steam with an Instant Pot

Steaming is a versatile cooking technique that can be used to cook a wide variety of foods, from vegetables and meats to dumplings and desserts. It is a healthy cooking method that helps retain nutrients, colour and texture. One of the most popular ways to steam food is by using an Instant Pot, which is a type of pressure cooker that can steam food quickly and easily. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to steam with an Instant Pot:

Step 1: Prepare the Instant Pot

Firstly, pour 1 to 2 cups of water into the Instant Pot. The amount of water you use will depend on the quantity of food you are steaming. Make sure that the water does not touch the food, as this will result in boiling instead of steaming.

Step 2: Prepare the Food

Place a trivet or steam basket inside the Instant Pot. The trivet is a short rack that comes with the Instant Pot and helps to hold the food above the water. If using a steam basket, layer the food according to cooking time, with longer-cooking items at the bottom and quicker-cooking items on top. Avoid overfilling the basket, as this may affect the sealing of the lid.

Step 3: Secure the Lid and Set the Steam Function

Secure the lid on the Instant Pot by turning it clockwise until it clicks into place. Ensure that the arrows on the lid and pot are aligned. Find the vent switch on the lid and close it off to trap the pressure and steam inside. Locate the "Steam" button on the control panel and press it to activate the steam function.

Step 4: Set the Cooking Time

Use the plus or minus keys to adjust the cooking time as needed. The cooking time will depend on the type of food you are steaming. For example, most vegetables steam in 1 to 5 minutes, while root vegetables may take longer. Refer to the Instant Pot cooking guide or your recipe for specific timings.

Step 5: Monitor and Release Pressure

Stay near the Instant Pot during the cooking process and listen for the beep that signals the food is done. It is important to manually release the pressure as soon as the timer goes off to prevent overcooking. Cover your hand with an oven mitt or towel and switch the vent to the venting position to release the pressure.

Step 6: Open the Lid and Serve

Once the pressure has been released, carefully open the lid and remove the steam basket. Your steamed food is now ready to be served!

Tips andsection:

• The Instant Pot's steam preset is set to 10 minutes on low pressure, but you can adjust it to a maximum of 15 minutes or a minimum of 3 minutes.
• If your Instant Pot model does not have a steam function, you can use the section: "SAUTE" function instead. Simply follow the same steps, but use a clear glass lid that fits snugly on top of the pot.
• If you don't have a steam basket, you can use a colander, trivet, or egg rack to hold the food above the water.
• Remember to always add enough water to the Instant Pot before steaming and allow the water to boil before adding your food.

How long to steam different types of food for

Steaming is a versatile and healthy cooking technique that can be applied to almost any cuisine. It is an indirect cooking method that uses hot steam generated from water to cook food. This technique helps food retain its nutrition, colour, and texture.

Vegetables

Steaming is a quick and easy way to prepare vegetables such as carrots, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, asparagus, beans, beets, cauliflower, celery, and radishes. The steaming time will depend on the type of vegetable, the preparation method, and personal preference.

For example, whole vegetables will take longer to cook than diced or sliced vegetables. Additionally, the water content of the food will affect the steaming time, with fresher foods generally cooking faster.

Approximate steaming times for some vegetables are as follows:

• Artichokes: whole artichokes can be steamed
• Asparagus: cut into 2-inch pieces
• Beans: wash and cut larger beans into smaller pieces
• Beets: small or medium-sized beets can be steamed whole and unpeeled, then peeled after steaming
• Broccoli: cut into florets
• Cabbage: cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
• Carrots: trim and thinly slice
• Cauliflower: trim stalks and split in half or cut into florets
• Celery: cut into 1/4-inch thick matchsticks
• Fennel: cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
• Green beans: wash and cut into smaller pieces

Fish

Steaming is a great way to cook fish, such as salmon, tilapia, cod, and trout. The steaming time will depend on the size and thickness of the fish. For example, a whole fish like trout will take longer to steam than a fillet.

Dumplings

Dumplings, such as shumai, har gow, and pork buns, can be steamed. The steaming time will depend on the size and thickness of the dumplings, as well as the number of batches being cooked.

Rice

Rice, such as jasmine and basmati, can be steamed. The steaming time will depend on the amount of rice being cooked.

Eggs

Eggs can be steamed soft or hard-boiled. The steaming time will depend on the desired doneness of the eggs.

Meat

Meats, such as chicken and pork, can be steamed. The steaming time will depend on the size and thickness of the meat, as well as the desired doneness.

Sweet Pudding

Sweet steamed pudding can be made in a 14cm diameter pudding basin. The pudding will need to be steamed for about an hour, and the water will need to be topped up after that time.

Frequently asked questions