Pottery Steamer Cooking: Delicious, Healthy, And Easy!

Pottery steamers are a great way to cook food without losing nutrients or flavour. They are simple to use and can be used to cook a wide variety of dishes, from vegetables to proteins, buns, dumplings, and even desserts. Here's how you can cook using a pottery steamer:

First, put the food you want to cook inside the steamer and replace the lid. Then, place the steamer on a saucepan filled halfway to two-thirds with water and turn on the burner. As the water boils, the steam rises through the central chimney, cooking your food and extracting flavours and nutrients. The broth that forms is preserved inside the steamer due to the absence of holes in the bottom. It is important to ensure that the bottom of the steamer stays above the water level to allow steam to form. You should also check the water level regularly and add more water if needed. Be cautious when opening the steamer, as the steam is very hot and can cause burns.

How to set up a pottery steamer

Firstly, you will need to gather the right equipment. For this setup, you will need a pottery steamer with a lid, a saucepan or wok, and a heat-proof dish that can fit inside the wok or pan. You will also need something to keep the food from touching the water, such as a metal steam rack or an empty metal can.

Once you have your equipment, fill the pan or wok with water. The amount of water you need will depend on how long you plan to steam for. As a general rule, you should fill the pan with enough water to reach a depth of about one to two inches. However, if you are steaming for a longer period, you may need to add more water to prevent it from evaporating completely. Just make sure that the water level stays below the steamer basket or rack.

Next, place the steamer basket or rack in the centre of the pan or wok. The steamer should be at least two inches above the water level. If you are using a metal steam rack, simply place it in the bottom of the pan or wok. If you are using a can, remove both ends and place it in the centre of the pan or wok.

Now, it's time to add your food. Place your ingredients in a heat-proof dish and put the dish on top of the steamer basket or rack. Make sure that the lid does not touch the food when it is closed. This will prevent your food from getting smashed or stuck to the lid.

After that, turn on the heat and bring the water to a simmer. Depending on your recipe, you may need to adjust the heat to medium or high. Once the water is simmering, cover the pan or wok with the lid and let your food steam according to the recipe or your desired level of doneness.

Finally, when your food is ready, use a hot dish clip or tongs to remove the dish from the steamer carefully. Be very careful when opening the lid, as the escaping steam can cause burns.

With these simple steps, you can easily set up a pottery steamer and enjoy healthy and delicious steamed meals.

What foods can be cooked in a pottery steamer

A pottery steamer is a great way to cook a wide variety of foods, and it's simple to use. You can steam vegetables, fish, dumplings, rice, eggs, and even reheat leftovers. Here are some ideas for what foods can be cooked in a pottery steamer:

Vegetables

Broccoli, carrots, green beans, asparagus, and cauliflower are just a few examples of vegetables that can be steamed. You can also try leeks, peas, honey-glazed medleys of broccoli, green beans, peas, and leeks, or pak choi.

Fish

Steaming is a great way to cook fish, preserving its nutrients and keeping it low-calorie and low-fat. Try salmon, trout, tilapia, cod, or bass. You can also steam mussels and clams.

Dumplings

Dumplings such as shumai, har gow, and pork buns are perfect for steaming. You can also steam Chinese bread rolls to serve with BBQ pork and pickled vegetables.

Rice

Rice is a staple in many cuisines and can be easily cooked in a steamer. Try Thai jasmine rice or basmati rice.

Eggs

Steaming eggs creates a custardy, cozy comfort food. You can also steam tofu, which is similar to steaming eggs.

Poultry and Meat

Chicken, such as the Qiguo ji Yunnan chicken soup, and venison, such as the steamed venison and Port pudding, can be cooked in a steamer. You can also steam pork wontons.

Fruits

Steaming fruits like apples, bananas, pears, and kiwis with cinnamon and brown sugar makes for a delicious dessert.

How to prevent overcooking

Cooking with a pottery steamer is a great way to prepare a variety of dishes with minimal oil and maximum flavour. To prevent overcooking when using a pottery steamer, follow these steps:

• Timing is crucial: Wait for the water to reach a rolling boil before placing the food in the steamer. Overcooking can easily occur if the food is added too early, as the pot begins to boil.
• Use a timer: Always set a timer to prevent oversteaming. Steaming is an extremely fast cooking method, and even a slight overcook can result in a mushy mess.
• Check for doneness: When the timer goes off, test your food to ensure it is cooked to your desired level. Use a knife to puncture vegetables to confirm doneness.
• Add food in stages: If you are steaming multiple items with different cooking times, use the stacking technique. Place the food that takes longer to cook on the bottom tier and add the quicker-cooking items on a higher tier later in the process.
• Cut food into uniform sizes: Ensure even cooking by cutting your food into similar-sized pieces. This is especially important when steaming dense vegetables, which take longer to cook. Cut them into smaller pieces or add them to the steamer before the less dense vegetables.
• Monitor water levels: Keep an eye on the water level in your pottery steamer and add boiling water as needed. If the water level drops too low, your food may not cook evenly, and the bottom of your pot or steamer may scorch.
• Avoid bulky food items: Steaming is a quick cooking method, but bulky or large food items can be challenging. The outer surface of the food may cook faster than the inside, resulting in an unevenly cooked dish. Choose thinner and smaller food pieces for steaming.

How to add flavour to steamed food

Cooking with a pottery steamer is a great way to prepare healthy and tasty meals. The process is simple: put the food you wish to cook inside the steamer, replace the lid, and place the steamer on a saucepan filled with water. As the water boils, the steam cooks your food and extracts flavours and nutrients.

Use herbs

Toss whole sprigs of fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, dill, basil, sage, or rosemary over the food before steaming. You can also chop up the leaves and sprinkle them over the food after it's cooked. Just remember to add the herbs towards the end of the cooking process so they don't lose their flavour.

Drizzle with olive oil

Olive oil is a great way to add flavour and make your steamed food more appetising. It absorbs the taste of the food and enhances its richness. Olive oil is also known for its health benefits, including boosting the immune system.

Season with salt and pepper

Salt and pepper can transform the taste of your steamed food. Add salt at the beginning of the cooking process, as the taste will change if added at the end. Pepper can be added at any time. Just remember to be precise with the quantity, as too much of either can be overpowering.

Add citrus with lemon or orange

Lemon and orange can add a refreshing taste to your steamed food. Marinate your vegetables with lemon or orange juice before putting them in the steamer. You can also add slices of lemon or lemon zest to vegetables like broccoli, green beans, and summer squash.

Splash some vinegar

Vinegar can give your steamed food a unique flavour profile. Try using one or two tablespoons of distilled white vinegar, rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or any other type you like. Toss your vegetables with vinegar before steaming or add it after they're cooked. Avoid pouring vinegar directly into the steamer, as the flavour may not be the same.

Use garlic for aroma and flavour

Garlic adds a delightful aroma and flavour to steamed food because of its health benefits and presence of allicin.

You can add garlic to almost anything, but when using it with vegetables, choose fresh over bottled.

To maximise the flavour, cut the garlic cloves and leave them for 10 to 15 minutes before adding them to your vegetables. This helps to activate the enzymes that react with oxygen.

Soy sauce for a rich blend

Soy sauce has a well-balanced, smooth, and rich flavour that blends beautifully with steamed vegetables. You can also blend soy sauce with garlic oil for an even more amazing taste. Just remember not to add too much salt when using soy sauce.

How to reheat food in a pottery steamer

Reheating food in a pottery steamer is a great way to quickly heat up leftovers without drying them out. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to reheat food in a pottery steamer:

Step 1: Prepare Your Steamer

The first step is to prepare your pottery steamer for reheating. Make sure your steamer has a lid and a heat-proof dish that can fit inside. You will also need something to prop up the dish above the water, such as a metal steam rack or a clean, empty metal can. Ensure that the dish you use is oven-safe and has a rim to prevent any liquids from escaping.

Step 2: Add Water

Fill the bottom of your pottery steamer with water. Add enough water to reach about one to two inches up the side of the steamer. This will ensure that the water does not touch the food but also prevents the pan from burning. If you are using a pottery steamer with multiple tiers, you can place water in the bottom tier only.

Step 3: Prepare Your Food

Place the heat-proof dish on the metal rack or can inside the steamer. Put your leftover food in the dish. You can reheat almost anything in a steamer, including rice, pasta, meat dishes, and even hot dogs! If you are reheating multiple items, you can use separate dishes or place them together in one dish, ensuring they have space between them.

Step 4: Start Steaming

Cover your pottery steamer with its lid. Turn on the heat to medium or high and bring the water to a simmer. The steam will cook and reheat your food. Depending on what you are reheating, it may take a few minutes to several minutes. Keep an eye on the water level and add boiling water as needed to ensure it doesn't completely evaporate.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

To check if your food is reheated, simply remove the lid and take a look. For meats, such as chicken, ensure that it is cooked all the way through the middle. For vegetables, insert a fork to check if they are soft enough. If they are too soft, it means they have been overcooked and have become soggy.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once your food is reheated, turn off the heat and carefully remove the dish from the steamer. Use a hot dish clip or oven mitts to handle the hot dish. Serve your reheated food and enjoy!

Frequently asked questions