Steaming Baby Bok Choy: Quick, Easy, And Healthy

Baby bok choy is a versatile vegetable that can be steamed, grilled, roasted, or stir-fried. It is a type of Chinese cabbage with soft, leafy greens and crunchy, celery-like stalks. When prepared correctly, it makes for a delicious and healthy side dish.

In this article, we will explore the different ways to cook baby bok choy, with a focus on steaming. Steaming baby bok choy is a simple and quick process that preserves the crunch of the vegetable while enhancing its fresh and delicate flavour.

How to prepare baby bok choy for steaming

Preparing baby bok choy for steaming is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to ensure your vegetables are clean and ready for cooking. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare baby bok choy for steaming:

Firstly, wash the baby bok choy thoroughly under cool running water. Gently separate the leaves to remove any dirt or debris that may be trapped between them, especially at the stem end. You can also cut larger heads in half lengthwise to ensure a more thorough cleaning.

Next, trim the stem ends. Remove any dried or dark-coloured areas, but try to keep as much of the stem intact as possible. If you cut the bok choy in half, let the pieces air-dry while you prepare the steamer. There is no need to dry the leaves as they will be steamed.

To steam the baby bok choy, you will need a large pot or saucepan with a steamer basket and a lid. Fill the pot with about an inch of water and place it on the stove over medium-low heat. Bring the water to a simmer.

Once the water is simmering, carefully arrange the baby bok choy in the steamer basket. Cover the pot with the lid and let the bok choy steam. The cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness. For crisp and juicy bok choy, steam for about 3 to 4 minutes. If you prefer it softer and more well-done, steam for up to 5 minutes. Be careful not to overcook the bok choy, as it can easily turn mushy.

And that's it! You now have perfectly steamed baby bok choy that can be served as a simple side dish or used in a variety of recipes. Enjoy!

How to steam baby bok choy

Baby bok choy is a crunchy and delicate vegetable that can be prepared in a variety of ways, including steaming. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam baby bok choy to perfection.

Preparation:

Start by gathering your ingredients, which include baby bok choy, water, and salt (optional). You will also need a large pot with a steamer basket and lid.

To prepare the baby bok choy, begin by rinsing the whole heads under cool running water. Gently separate the leaves to remove any dirt or debris, especially at the stem end. Trim the stem ends, removing only a small amount to clean up the dried and dark areas.

For larger heads of bok choy, cut them in half. You can let them air dry while you prepare the steamer. There is no need to dry the leaves as they will be steamed.

Steaming:

Fill the large pot with about an inch of water and add a pinch of salt to the water, if desired. Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to medium-low. Allow the water to come to a simmer.

Once the water is simmering, carefully place the prepared baby bok choy in the steamer basket. Cover the pot with the lid and let the bok choy steam. The cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness. For lightly steamed and crunchy bok choy, steam for about 3-4 minutes. If you prefer it softer and more tender, steam for an additional minute or two. Be careful not to overcook the bok choy, as it can easily turn mushy.

Serving:

Once the bok choy is steamed to your liking, carefully remove it from the steamer and transfer it to a serving dish. You can serve it as-is or enhance the flavor with a simple dressing or sauce. For example, a spicy lime and sesame dressing can be drizzled over the steamed bok choy, along with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.

Your perfectly steamed baby bok choy is now ready to be enjoyed as a healthy and delicious side dish!

How to make a dressing for steamed baby bok choy

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon light-tasting oil (e.g. grapeseed, light olive oil, or canola)
• 1 tablespoon lime juice (juice of half a lime)
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon sriracha sauce (to taste)
• 1 teaspoon sesame seed oil
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (plus more to salt the steaming water)
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, lightly toasted

Method:

• Heat a small skillet over medium heat and add the sesame seeds. Toss them gently for just a minute or two until they start to brown. As soon as they do, remove them to another dish to cool.
• Clean and prep the bok choy by cutting larger heads in half through the stem end. Remove the very bottom of the stem ends to get rid of any tough pieces, but leave enough to keep the head intact.
• To make the dressing, mix together the oil, lime juice, sriracha, and sesame seed oil. Whisk gently and add sea salt to taste. The dressing should be bright, taste of lime, and nicely salty. Adjust as necessary.
• Arrange the steamed bok choy on a serving platter and drizzle the dressing over it. Sprinkle with the toasted sesame seeds and serve.

Tips:

• You can whip the dressing together while the veggies are steaming or while you're waiting for the steamer to come to a simmer.
• Don't skimp on the salt!
• If you want to keep the bok choy crisp and juicy, steam for about 3 minutes, or 4 if the heads are larger. Be careful, as bok choy can easily go to mush.

How to serve steamed baby bok choy

Baby bok choy is a versatile vegetable that can be steamed and served in a variety of ways. Here are some tips and ideas on how to prepare and serve steamed baby bok choy as a delicious and nutritious side dish.

Preparing the Baby Bok Choy

Start by washing the baby bok choy thoroughly under cool running water, paying special attention to the leaves to remove any dirt or grit. Trim the stem ends, removing any dried or dark areas, but keep as much of the stem intact as possible. For larger heads, cut them in half. You can let the bok choy air dry while you prepare the steamer.

Steaming the Baby Bok Choy

Fill a large pot or saucepan with about an inch of water and place a steamer basket inside. Bring the water to a simmer. Place the baby bok choy in the steamer basket, cover, and steam until the bok choy is bright green and slightly tender. This should take around 3-5 minutes, depending on the size of the bok choy. Be careful not to overcook it, as it can easily turn mushy.

Serving Ideas

Once your baby bok choy is steamed, you can serve it in a variety of ways:

• With a Dressing: Prepare a dressing by whisking together oil, lime juice, spicy sesame oil or regular sesame oil, and sea salt. Arrange the steamed bok choy on a serving platter, drizzle the dressing over it, and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
• With a Sauce: Combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar in a bowl. Heat some oil in a skillet or wok, add garlic and the steamed bok choy, and stir-fry for a couple of minutes. Add a small amount of water, cover, and cook until the bok choy has softened. Remove from the heat, place on a platter, and drizzle with the prepared sauce.
• As a Side Dish: Steamed baby bok choy makes a great side dish to accompany a variety of main courses. It goes well with white rice and a protein of your choice, such as Soy Sauce Chicken, Oven-Roasted Char Siu, or Chinese Roasted Pork Belly. It can also be served with other cooked vegetables, such as spicy garlic bok choy, choy sum, or garlic green beans.

How to store leftover steamed baby bok choy

To store leftover steamed baby bok choy, first ensure it has cooled down to room temperature. Then, transfer the bok choy to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for 3-4 days.

When you're ready to enjoy your leftovers, you can simply reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop. If you're reheating on the stovetop, consider adding a small amount of water or broth to the pan to prevent the bok choy from drying out.

Additionally, you can also freeze leftover steamed baby bok choy. To do so, place the cooled bok choy in a freezer-safe container or bag and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you're ready to enjoy it, simply thaw and reheat it. However, keep in mind that freezing bok choy may affect its texture, making it softer upon reheating.

Frequently asked questions