Steaming With Bamboo: A Guide To Cooking With Steamers

Bamboo steamers are a great way to cook food without the use of oil or butter, and they're also naturally antibacterial and eco-friendly. They're traditionally used in East Asian cuisines, but they can be used to cook a wide variety of dishes, from vegetables and proteins to breads, dumplings, and cakes. The stackable structure of bamboo steamers allows for cooking multiple dishes at once, and their natural absorbency prevents condensation from dripping onto the food. Here's a step-by-step guide to using a bamboo steamer:

Step 1: Gather your ingredients.

Step 2: Line the bamboo steamer with parchment paper, cabbage leaves, or bamboo leaves (optional).

Step 3: Boil water in a pot or wok large enough to accommodate the steamer. Ensure the water level is below the bottom tier of the steamer.

Step 4: Arrange the food, leaving space between each piece for steam circulation.

Step 5: Stack the tiers of the bamboo steamer.

Step 6: Place the bamboo steamer on the pot or wok, ensuring the water does not touch the bottom.

Step 7: Cover with the lid to trap the steam.

Step 8: Steam the food for the recommended time, checking periodically to avoid overcooking.

Step 9: Carefully remove the bamboo steamer from the pot or wok and serve the food while it's hot.

How to prepare a bamboo steamer for use

To prepare a bamboo steamer for use, follow these steps:

Firstly, if your bamboo steamer is brand new, it is recommended that you soak the bottom rim in lukewarm water for around 30 minutes to prevent scorching. This is the part of the steamer that will be in direct contact with the pan. After the first use, ensure that this area is completely dry before storing the steamer away.

Next, place your bamboo steamer into a wok or another wide-rimmed, shallow pan. The pan should be filled with enough water to come up above the bottom rim of the steamer by about a quarter to half an inch. The water level must be high enough to submerge the bottom rim of the steamer to prevent scorching, but not so high that the bubbling water touches the bottom of the steamer or the food inside.

Now you can line your bamboo steamer baskets. If you are placing food directly onto the steamer, you will need to line it with something to prevent the food from sticking. You can use napa cabbage leaves, lettuce leaves, layers of cheesecloth, or squares of parchment paper. The lining should be porous to allow steam to circulate around the food. If you are steaming marinated meats or vegetables, you can steam these in a heatproof bowl or plate to collect any juices.

Once you have lined your steamer, place your food inside, leaving enough space between each piece for the steam to circulate. Different ingredients will require different cooking times, so bear this in mind when arranging them in the steamer.

Finally, place the lid on the bamboo steamer and put the steamer into the wok/pan. You can either preheat the water so that it is simmering when you place the steamer in, or you can place the steamer into the pan when the water is still cold and then turn on the heat.

How to line a bamboo steamer

To line a bamboo steamer, you can use a variety of materials, such as parchment paper, napa cabbage leaves, lettuce leaves, cheesecloth, or reusable silicone or cloth liners. The lining should be porous to allow steam to circulate and cook the food effectively. If you are steaming marinated meat or vegetables, it is recommended to use a heat-proof plate or bowl to collect any juices.

When lining the steamer, it is important to ensure that the food does not stick to the bamboo surface, as this can make cleaning more difficult and affect the presentation of the dish. Additionally, if you are steaming dumplings or buns, it is crucial to leave enough space between each piece to allow for steam circulation and expansion during cooking.

For frozen dumplings, it is recommended to use parchment paper or napa cabbage leaves to prevent sticking, and you can stack multiple steamers on top of each other to cook in batches.

How to stack and arrange food in a bamboo steamer

Stacking and arranging food in a bamboo steamer is an art, and it can be done in several ways depending on the type of food being cooked. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Line the Bamboo Steamer Baskets

The number of tiers in a bamboo steamer varies, but the process of lining them remains the same. If you are placing food directly on the steamer bed, such as buns or dumplings, use liners to prevent sticking. Napa cabbage leaves, lettuce leaves, layers of cheesecloth, or parchment paper can be used. Perforated parchment paper or reusable silicone liners are also good options. The liners should be porous to allow steam to circulate around the food.

Step 2: Place the Food in the Steamer

When placing dumplings, shumai, or buns, ensure they are not overcrowded, as they will expand during steaming. Leave about 1 inch (2.5 cm) between dumplings and 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) between larger buns. For steaming vegetables or proteins, place them in a shallow plate and transfer the plate to the steamer basket.

Step 3: Stack the Tiers

If your bamboo steamer has multiple tiers, stack them securely on top of each other. The number of tiers will depend on the quantity of food you are cooking.

Step 4: Arrange the Food According to Cooking Time

Different ingredients will require different cooking times. For example, if steaming a meal of chicken, rice, and broccoli, start with the rice, then add the chicken, and finally the broccoli. You may also choose to use separate tiers for each ingredient to make it more convenient. Place the foods that take the longest to cook in the bottom tray, closest to the heat source.

Step 5: Leave Space for Steam Circulation

When arranging the food in the steamer, ensure there is enough space between each piece to allow for proper steam circulation. This is crucial for even cooking.

Step 6: Use Multiple Steamers for Different Foods

You can also use multiple bamboo steamers stacked on top of each other to cook different types of food simultaneously. This way, you can prepare two kinds of dishes separately but at the same time.

By following these steps and arranging your food optimally in the bamboo steamer, you'll be able to cook delicious and healthy meals with enhanced flavours and textures.

How to clean a bamboo steamer

Cleaning your bamboo steamer is important to keep it hygienic and feeling brand new. However, due to its bamboo composition, you should avoid using harsh cleaning methods that could damage the material. Here is a detailed guide on how to clean and care for your bamboo steamer:

• Avoid harsh cleaning methods: Never put your bamboo steamer in the dishwasher, and do not soak it in water for extended periods. Soaking can cause the bamboo to fall apart, and the steamer should only be rinsed with water and mild soap.
• Use natural cleaning agents: To clean your bamboo steamer, opt for natural and organic methods. You can use a slice of lemon as a disinfectant and scrub the surface gently. Rinse the steamer afterward to remove any residue. Alternatively, you can use a black tea bag soaked in hot water to gently rub and clean the surface.
• Scrub with a soft brush: For a deeper clean, steam the bamboo first, then use a soft nylon brush with soapy hot water to scrub the basket gently. Rinse with cold water to remove the soap before using it again.
• Use liners: To prevent food from sticking to the bamboo and making cleaning more difficult, use liners such as parchment paper, aluminium foil, or lettuce leaves. This will make it easier to clean the steamer and reduce the amount of scrubbing needed.
• Rinse immediately: If food residue gets on the bamboo steamer, rinse it off immediately. Do not let food residue remain on the surface, as it can be harder to clean once dried.
• Air-dry completely: After rinsing and cleaning, allow the bamboo steamer to air-dry completely before storing it. Inhibiting complete drying can lead to mould formation.
• Store in a dry place: Ensure that you store your bamboo steamer in a dry place. Avoid storing it in humid environments, as this can promote the growth of mould or mildew.
• Oil in dry climates: If you live in a particularly dry climate, occasionally coat the bamboo steamer with a thin layer of vegetable oil to prevent it from cracking or splintering.

What foods can be cooked in a bamboo steamer

Bamboo steamers are a great way to cook food without oil or butter, and they're also easy to clean. They're perfect for cooking foods that benefit from gentle and moist cooking, such as:

• Vegetables: Broccoli, asparagus, snap peas, green beans, baby beets, peewee potatoes, cauliflower, squash, enoki mushrooms, Japanese sweet potato, butternut squash, or pumpkin.
• Proteins: Chicken, fish fillets, tofu, shrimp, and meats.
• Breads, rice, buns, and dumplings.
• Cakes and other desserts.
• Sticky rice
• Fa Gao (steamed Chinese fortune cakes)
• Dim sum: Har Glow, Siu Mai, Pork Soup Dumplings, or Nai Wong Bao
• Steamed Pork Bun
• Chinese spicy chicken feet
• Steamed chicken with mushrooms
• Scallion fish with sesame kale
• Steamed eggs

Frequently asked questions