Steaming With Aluminum: A Guide To Cooking With Steamers

Aluminium steamers are a great way to cook a variety of dishes, from spring rolls and dim sum to steamed fish, vegetables, and dumplings. They are convenient, easy to use, and can be used to cook single plates or large party trays. If you don't have an aluminium steamer, you can create a makeshift steamer using aluminium foil and a deep skillet. Start by placing a few balls of aluminium foil in the skillet, adding water, and then placing a heat-proof plate with your food on top. Bring the water to a boil and let the food steam. This simple hack will help you preserve the texture and flavour of your food without needing to invest in a steamer.

How to cook in an aluminium steamer

How to make a DIY steamer with aluminium foil and a deep skillet

Steaming is a great way to cook food to preserve its flavour and texture. While a bamboo steamer is a popular choice, you can easily make a DIY steamer with some aluminium foil and a deep skillet.

First, take your deep skillet and place it on the stove. The heat setting will depend on the food you are steaming. Next, tear off a few pieces of aluminium foil and roll them into balls. You will need enough balls to form a platform for your plate to sit on. Place the foil balls into the skillet.

Now, take a heatproof plate and place your food on it. Position the plate on top of the foil balls. Pour a small amount of water into the skillet, ensuring that the water level is below the platform created by the foil balls. Place the lid on the skillet and bring the water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, lower the heat and allow the food to steam. The steaming time will depend on what you are cooking, but it should take around five to seven minutes.

And that's it! A simple and effective way to steam food without needing a bamboo steamer. This method works well for cooking fish fillets, shrimp, dumplings, and vegetables.

Steaming food with a bamboo steamer

Step 1: Prepare your bamboo steamer

Before using a new bamboo steamer, it is recommended to soak the bottom rim in lukewarm water for about 30 minutes to prevent charring. The bottom rim is the part that will come into direct contact with the pan or wok. After the first use, allow the bottom to dry completely before storing.

Step 2: Fill your wok or pan with water

Place the bamboo steamer into your wok or a wide-rimmed, shallow pan. Fill it with enough water to come up above the bottom rim of the steamer by about a quarter to half an inch. Ensure the water level is high enough to submerge the bottom rim and prevent scorching, but not so high that the bubbling water touches the food.

Step 3: Line the bamboo steamer baskets (optional)

If you plan to place food directly on the steamer bed, such as buns or dumplings, you will need to line it to prevent sticking. You can use napa cabbage leaves, lettuce leaves, cheesecloth, or parchment paper. The liner should be porous to allow steam to circulate.

Step 4: Place food in the bamboo steamer

When placing food directly on the steamer bed, do not overcrowd the items, as they will expand during steaming. Leave about one inch between dumplings and about one and a half inches between larger buns.

If you are steaming vegetables or proteins, place them in a shallow plate and transfer the plate to the steamer basket.

Step 5: Place the bamboo steamer in the wok/pot

You can preheat the water so it is simmering when you place the bamboo steamer into the wok, or you can place the steamer into the wok when the water is still cold and then turn on the heat.

Step 6: Allow food to steam and check the water level

Once the water is simmering, it will start to evaporate. Let the food steam according to your recipe, but keep an eye on it and add boiling water as needed. Do not add cold water, as it will interrupt the cooking process.

Step 7: Care for your bamboo steamer

After use, wash your bamboo steamer with a sponge and mild dish soap, then immediately rinse thoroughly. Let the steamer air dry completely before storing to prevent mould or mildew. Do not put the steamer in the dishwasher or soak it in water for extended periods.

Tips:

• You can stack one bamboo steamer on top of another to cook two kinds of food separately but simultaneously.
• Bamboo steamers have stackable layers, allowing you to cook a whole meal at once.
• If you are steaming marinated meats or vegetables, use a heat-proof plate or bowl to collect any juices.
• Bamboo steamers are great for steaming buns, dumplings, breads, vegetables, rice, proteins, and cakes.

Using a stainless steel steamer

To use a stainless steel steamer, start by filling the bottom of the steamer with a few inches of water. The amount of water will depend on how long you need to steam your food, but ensure that the water level is not too high, as this can ruin your meal. Place the tiers inside the steamer, and you can either put heat-proof dishes of food on the tiers or line them with cabbage leaves, cheesecloth, or perforated parchment paper if you're cooking buns, dumplings, or similar items directly on the tiers.

Bring the water to a simmer, cover the steamer, and your food will steam. To prevent condensation from dripping onto your food, especially when cooking bread, cakes, or buns, you can take a thin dishcloth or tea towel and tie it around the lid, ensuring the loose ends are securely tied.

When steaming food, it's important to avoid removing the lid frequently, as this can affect cooking time. Instead, use a timer and only lift the lid to check on the food when the timer goes off. The steaming time will depend on the type of food and your desired texture and temperature. For example, vegetables usually take around 5 to 10 minutes, while meat can take 25 to 30 minutes.

Additionally, if you're steaming multiple types of food that require different cooking times, place the food that takes longer on the bottom tier and add the other tiers as needed based on their cooking times.

How to steam food with a wok or pot

Steaming food is a common cooking technique in Asian cuisine, often used to cook dumplings, buns, breads, proteins, vegetables, and even desserts. It is a gentle cooking method that helps preserve nutrients, flavour, and texture.

Step 1: Prepare your equipment

You will need a pot or wok with a lid, a heat-proof dish that can fit inside the wok or pot, and something to prop up the dish, such as a metal steam rack or a clean, empty metal can.

Step 2: Set up your steamer

Fill the pot or wok with a small amount of water, ensuring the water level is low enough that it won't touch the food when placed in the steamer. A good rule of thumb is to start with 1/4 to 1/2 an inch of water or enough water to reach 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the steamer.

Step 3: Prepare your food

Place the steamer into the pot or wok, checking that the water level meets the requirement mentioned above. Then, place your food in the steamer, ensuring the individual pieces do not touch. If you are steaming vegetables, you can ignore this step.

Step 4: Start steaming

Turn the stove's heat to medium and bring the water to a simmer. Once the water is simmering, place the heatproof dish of food on the rack and cover the wok or pot.

Step 5: Monitor and adjust

Maintain an adequate water level by routinely checking for signs of excess evaporation and adding boiling water as needed. It is important to use boiling water to maintain a consistent water temperature.

Step 6: Finish steaming

Steam your food for the amount of time indicated in your recipe or until it reaches the desired doneness. When the time is up, remove the lid and take out the food from the steamer.

Note: It is important to refrain from removing the lid while the food is steaming, as this can increase cooking time. Additionally, be very careful when opening the lid and removing the food, as the escaping steam can be extremely hot and dangerous.

What foods can be cooked in an aluminium steamer

Steaming is a cooking technique that is crucial in Asian cooking, especially in Chinese cuisine. It is a great way to preserve the flavour, texture, and nutrition of food. Here are some foods that can be cooked in an aluminium steamer:

Vegetables

Steaming is a great way to cook vegetables without making them soggy. Examples of vegetables that can be steamed include broccoli florets, yams, and eggplant.

Proteins

Meats such as chicken, pork, and fish can be steamed. For instance, Chinese dishes like Hunan Steamed Fish with Salted Chilies and steamed pork with rice powder are cooked using a steamer.

Seafood

Seafood such as shrimp and fish fillets can be steamed.

Buns and Breads

Steamed buns and breads are also common in Asian cuisines. Examples include steamed lotus leaf buns, Cantonese custard buns, and steamed chicken buns.

Dumplings

Dumplings are also commonly steamed. Some examples include crystal dumplings, har gow, shumai, and vegetable dumplings.

Desserts

Even desserts can be made using a steamer! An example of a steamed dessert is Cantonese steamed milk pudding.

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