Steaming Veggie Buns: Rice Cooker Method Explored

Steaming veggie buns in a rice cooker is a convenient and efficient way to achieve soft, fluffy buns with minimal effort. Rice cookers with a steam basket allow you to cook rice and steam food simultaneously, saving time and counter space. To steam veggie buns in a rice cooker, first prepare the steamer by adding water to the cooker, ensuring it doesn't touch the buns during cooking. Then, prepare your buns and place them in the steamer basket, allowing space for expansion. Close the lid, turn on the cooker, and set the timer. The cooking time will depend on the type of buns and the power of the rice cooker, typically ranging from 10 to 20 minutes. Once the timer goes off, check if the buns are cooked by inserting a toothpick or skewer into the center of a bun. If it comes out clean, without any dough sticking, your veggie buns are ready to be enjoyed!

Preparing the steamer basket

Choosing the Right Steaming Vessel:

Select a heatproof bowl or plate that fits comfortably inside your rice cooker. This will serve as the steaming platform for your veggie buns. It is important to choose a vessel that allows steam to circulate evenly around the buns.

Elevating the Steaming Vessel:

Use a stand or a ring-shaped object made of heatproof material to elevate the steaming vessel. This ensures that the steam reaches all parts of the buns, promoting even cooking. Place the stand or ring inside the rice cooker, and then position the steaming vessel on top.

Water Level and Stability:

Add about 1 inch of water to the rice cooker. This water will generate the steam needed to cook the veggie buns. Ensure that the water level is below the steaming vessel and doesn't touch the buns. Check that your steamer setup is stable and secure to prevent any accidents during the steaming process.

Lining the Steamer Basket:

Line the steamer basket or tray with parchment paper or cabbage leaves. This step is optional but recommended to prevent the veggie buns from sticking to the surface. It creates a barrier, ensuring the buns don't stick during steaming.

Now that your steamer basket is prepared, you can move on to the next steps of placing the veggie buns inside and then steaming them to perfection!

Preparing the buns

Whether you're making the dough from scratch or using store-bought buns, there are a few steps to follow to prepare your veggie buns for steaming.

If you're making the dough yourself, prepare it according to your chosen recipe. Once the dough has risen, divide it into small portions depending on the size of the buns you want. Take one portion and flatten it with a rolling pin to a size slightly larger than your desired bun size.

For filled buns, add a spoonful of filling to the centre of the flattened dough, being careful not to overfill. Gently pleat and shape the bun by gathering the edges and pinching them together at the top, sealing the filling inside. Repeat this process for the remaining portions of dough.

Place the shaped buns on a parchment-lined tray or bamboo steamer, leaving enough space between each bun to allow for expansion during steaming.

If you're using frozen store-bought buns, remove them from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for a smoother steaming process. If using fresh buns, you can add them straight from the fridge or after making them.

Placing the Buns in the Rice Cooker

Carefully remove the steamer plate or basket from the rice cooker. Arrange the prepared buns inside the steamer, ensuring they are evenly spaced and not touching. This allows the steam to circulate evenly.

If your rice cooker has multiple layers, stack the trays, leaving enough space between each layer for steam circulation. Place the steamer back into the rice cooker, ensuring it sits securely.

Steaming the Buns

Close the lid of the rice cooker and turn it on, selecting the steam setting if available. If there is no specific steam setting, start the rice cooking mode. Set the timer according to the type of buns you are steaming. Typically, it takes around 10-20 minutes to steam buns thoroughly.

Avoid opening the lid unnecessarily during the steaming process, as this can cause the steam to escape and result in undercooked buns.

Checking for Doneness

Once the timer goes off, carefully open the lid and check if the buns are cooked. Insert a toothpick or skewer into the centre of one of the buns. If it comes out clean without any dough sticking, the buns are ready. If there is dough on the toothpick, the buns need more time to steam.

Serving the Buns

Remove the steamed buns from the rice cooker using oven mitts or tongs and place them on a serving plate or steaming basket. Allow them to cool slightly before serving. Garnish with toppings such as sesame seeds or chopped scallions, and serve with your favourite sauces or condiments.

Enjoy your freshly steamed veggie buns!

Placing the buns in the rice cooker

Now that your buns are prepared and ready, it’s time to transfer them to the rice cooker for steaming. Here’s how you can do it:

Remove the steamer basket or plate from the rice cooker, being careful to avoid any burns from the steam or hot surfaces.

Arrange the prepared buns inside the steamer, ensuring they are evenly spaced and not touching. This spacing allows the steam to circulate around each bun, ensuring even cooking.

If your rice cooker has multiple layers, stack the trays, leaving enough space between each layer for proper steam circulation.

Place the buns in the steamer back into the rice cooker, ensuring it sits securely.

Make sure the lid of the rice cooker is securely closed to trap the steam inside. This will create the optimal cooking environment for your buns.

Steaming the buns

Steaming the veggie buns is a simple process that can be done in a few easy steps.

Preparing the Steamer

Firstly, you'll need to prepare your rice cooker by filling it with about 1 inch of water. The water level should always be below the steaming tray or basket to avoid any direct contact with the buns. If you're using a heatproof bowl or plate inside the rice cooker, place a stand or ring inside first to elevate the bowl/plate. This ensures the steam reaches all parts of the buns.

Preparing the Buns

If you're using frozen buns, it's best to let them thaw at room temperature first. If you're making the buns from scratch, prepare the dough and filling, then divide the dough into portions. Flatten each portion and add your chosen filling—be careful not to overfill. Seal the buns by pleating and shaping the edges.

Placing the Buns in the Rice Cooker

Carefully place the buns inside the steamer basket, ensuring they have space around them for the steam to circulate. Depending on the size of your rice cooker, you may need to work in batches.

Close the lid of the rice cooker and turn it on, selecting the steam setting if available. If there is no steam setting, start the regular rice cooking mode. The cooking time will depend on the type and size of your buns, but it usually takes around 10-20 minutes for thoroughly cooked buns.

Checking for Doneness

To check if your veggie buns are ready, use a toothpick or skewer to pierce the centre of one of the buns. If it comes out clean, without any dough sticking to it, then your buns are cooked. If there is dough on the toothpick, your buns need a little longer.

Serving the Buns

Once the buns are cooked, remove them from the rice cooker using tongs and place them on a plate. You can add toppings such as sesame seeds or chopped scallions, and serve with sauces like soy sauce, chilli oil, or hoisin sauce. Enjoy!

Checking for doneness

For Beginners:

• Expanded Size: Check if the buns have visibly expanded after steaming. This indicates that the dough is cooked, and the buns are ready. Ensure that all buns have expanded uniformly to guarantee even cooking.
• Smooth and Puffy: Gently press on the buns. They should feel smooth and puffy, indicating they are cooked just right.
• Light and Fluffy: The texture of the bun should be light and fluffy when touched, indicating it is ready to be enjoyed.
• Well-Heated Interior: Hold one of the buns in your hand to sense if it is warm throughout. This confirms that the interior is well-heated and fully cooked.

For Intermediate Cooks:

• Insertion: Insert a toothpick or fork into the center of a bun. If it comes out clean, without any dough sticking to it, the buns are fully cooked.
• No Dough Residue: Ensure there is no dough residue on the toothpick when you remove it, signifying that the bun is thoroughly cooked.
• Golden Brown: A slight golden brown color on the surface of the buns is a good indicator that they are properly cooked.
• Avoiding Pale Spots: Check for any pale or undercooked spots on the buns. If you find any, steam the buns a little longer.
• Steam Release: Once the buns are cooked, observe the steam release from the steamer. Reduced steam or no condensation on the lid indicates that the buns are ready.

General Tips:

• Cooking Time: The cooking time for veggie buns in a rice cooker can vary depending on the type and size of the buns, but it typically ranges from 10 to 20 minutes.
• Doneness Check: After the specified cooking time, lightly press on a bun. If it feels soft and springy, it is ready. Alternatively, use a toothpick or skewer to check if the bun is cooked through.

By following these detailed methods, you can ensure your veggie buns are cooked to perfection and ready to be served and enjoyed!

Frequently asked questions