Steaming Spuds: Epicure Steamer Potato Perfection

Steaming is a healthy and simple way to cook potatoes. It's also a versatile method, as steamed potatoes can be served with a variety of main dishes, including chicken, fish, steak, and pork. To steam potatoes, you'll need to first wash them thoroughly and decide whether or not to peel them. Leaving the skins on can help the potatoes retain their shape, but peeling them can make them more aesthetically pleasing. Next, you'll need to prepare your steamer. You can use a pot with a steamer basket, a microwave with a microwave-safe bowl, or even a pot with aluminium foil and a heat-proof plate. Regardless of your chosen method, be sure to add water to your steamer—this will create the steam that cooks your potatoes. Place your washed potatoes in the steamer, cover, and apply heat. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your potatoes and your chosen cooking method, but generally, it should take around 10–15 minutes for your potatoes to be ready.

How to prepare potatoes for steaming

Preparing potatoes for steaming is a simple and quick process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Wash the Potatoes:

Start by washing the potatoes thoroughly under running water. Use a scrub brush to remove any dirt or debris from the skins. Ensure you wash them gently yet vigorously to get rid of any chemicals or residue. Avoid soaking the potatoes, as this can cause a loss of nutrients.

Peel or Not to Peel:

This is a matter of preference. Leaving the skins on is recommended as it helps the potatoes retain their shape and some nutrients after cooking. If you prefer peeled potatoes, use a potato peeler to pare off the skins thinly and evenly. It is best to peel the potatoes just before cooking to prevent them from discolouration or nutrient loss.

Cut the Potatoes:

If your potatoes are of different sizes, consider cutting them into evenly sized chunks. This will ensure they cook uniformly. For larger potatoes, you can quarter them, and for smaller ones, halving or keeping them whole may be sufficient.

Seasoning (Optional):

Before steaming, you can choose to season your potatoes. A sprinkle of salt, about one rounded teaspoon per 1 pound (450 grams) of potatoes, can enhance their flavour. Additionally, if you are using new potatoes, you can add a few sprigs of mint for a refreshing touch.

Steamer Setup:

Fill a pot with approximately 1-2 inches of water, ensuring it does not touch the steamer basket. If you are using a metal sieve or colander instead of a steamer basket, follow the same instructions. For an alternative method, you can fill a pot with 0.5 inches of water and place three balls of aluminium foil inside, with a heat-proof plate resting on top.

Place the Potatoes:

Arrange the potatoes in the steamer basket, with the largest ones at the bottom and the smaller ones on top. If using the aluminium foil method, place the potatoes on the heat-proof plate. Ensure they are spread out evenly to promote even cooking.

Your potatoes are now prepared and ready for steaming! Simply follow the steaming instructions provided by your Epicure steamer for the specified cooking time.

How to steam potatoes in a steamer basket

First, wash the potatoes thoroughly. You don't need to peel them unless you want to, but leaving the skins on will help the potatoes keep their shape once they soften. If you do decide to peel them, use a potato peeler to remove the skins as thinly as possible.

Next, fill a pot with 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) of water and place a steamer basket, metal sieve, or colander inside. Make sure the water doesn't touch the steamer basket. Place the potatoes in the steamer basket, with the largest ones at the bottom and the smaller ones on top. If your potatoes are different sizes, cut the larger ones down to the size of the smaller ones so they cook evenly.

Cover the pot tightly with a lid to trap the moisture inside and maintain the temperature. Turn the heat to high and wait for the water to boil. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let the potatoes steam for 10 to 25 minutes, depending on their size. Baby potatoes will cook faster, while larger potatoes may take 20 minutes or more. Check the potatoes periodically after the first 10 minutes by piercing them with a knife or fork. They are done when they are soft in the thickest part.

When the potatoes are cooked, remove them from the steamer and drain any excess water. Return the potatoes to the saucepan and cover them with a clean tea towel for about 5 minutes to absorb any excess steam. Then, serve them plain, or toss them with melted butter, salt, pepper, and herbs like parsley, rosemary, thyme, or dill.

How to steam potatoes with aluminium foil

While Epicure provides instructions for cooking potatoes in a microwave steamer, you can also steam potatoes in the oven using aluminium foil. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do this:

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature will ensure that your potatoes cook evenly and achieve a crispy skin.

Step 2: Prepare the Potatoes

Scrub medium-sized russet potatoes under running water to remove any dirt or debris. Pat them dry using a clean kitchen or paper towel. Using a fork, poke a few holes in each potato to allow steam to escape during the baking process and prevent any unpleasant explosions!

Step 3: Season the Potatoes

Rub each potato with a light coat of olive oil or butter. This will help the skin become crispy and add flavour. You can also add seasonings like salt, pepper, and garlic powder to enhance the natural flavours of the potatoes.

Step 4: Wrap in Aluminium Foil

Individually wrap each potato tightly in a sheet of aluminium foil. This will help to lock in the steam and heat during the baking process.

Step 5: Bake in the Oven

Place the wrapped potatoes directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet. Bake for approximately 45-60 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes. You can check if they are done by inserting a fork into the centre—if it goes in easily, they're ready!

Step 6: Cool, Unwrap, and Serve

Allow the baked potatoes to cool for a few minutes before unwrapping them to avoid any burns. Once cooled, you can fluff the insides with a fork and add your favourite toppings, such as sour cream, cheese, chives, or bacon bits. Serve while they are still warm and enjoy the crispy skin and fluffy interior!

How to steam potatoes in the microwave

Firstly, wash your chosen potatoes thoroughly, scrubbing the outsides with water to remove any dirt or chemicals. It is not necessary to peel the potatoes, as leaving the skins on will help the potatoes keep their shape once they soften. However, if you do wish to peel them, use a potato peeler to pare off the skins as thinly as possible.

Next, place the potatoes in your Epicure steamer. If using a Rectangular Steamer, you can follow the recipe for 8-Minute Greek Potatoes on the Epicure website. Simply toss the potatoes with seasoning and lemon juice, place them in the steamer, cover, and microwave for 6-8 minutes. If using a Multipurpose Steamer, you can follow the recipe for Steamer Mashed Potatoes, also on the Epicure website. Combine quartered potatoes with the Herb & Garlic Dip Mix in the steamer, cover, and microwave on high for 10 minutes.

If you don't have access to these specific recipes, you can simply place the potatoes in the steamer with a small amount of water—enough to cover about 1/8 of the potatoes. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a microwave-safe plate, and microwave for 5 minutes, checking every 1-2 minutes to prevent overcooking. The potatoes are done when they are crisp yet easily pierced with a fork.

Once cooked, you can serve the potatoes plain, with butter, or tossed with melted butter and seasonings such as rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, dill, chives, or onion powder.

How to season steamed potatoes

Firstly, when it comes to steaming potatoes, it is recommended to leave the skins on to protect the flesh from the steam, which can rob the potatoes of flavour. If you do decide to peel the potatoes, use a potato peeler to thinly remove the skins.

Now, for the seasoning. There are several ways to season steamed potatoes, and it is recommended to keep it simple. Here are some options:

• Butter and Parsley: These are considered the essentials. Be sure to also salt the potatoes well.
• Garlic: This is optional but brings a strong flavour as it is added after steaming.
• Old Bay Seasoning: This classic New England seasoning is perfect for potatoes.
• Fresh Herbs: Try rosemary, thyme, or sage. You can use one or a combination of all three.
• Chives: Freshly chopped chives can add a nice flavour to the potatoes.
• Parmesan Cheese: Grated or shredded parmesan can be added to steamed potatoes.

Additionally, you can try tossing the potatoes with lemon juice and chicken souvlaki seasoning or lemon dill dip mix before steaming.

For a more detailed guide on how to cook potatoes in an Epicure steamer, follow these steps:

Wash and quarter 4-6 medium potatoes or wash and halve 1 1/2 lbs of baby red potatoes. Combine the potatoes with your chosen seasoning in an Epicure steamer and microwave on high with the lid on for 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes. If you are using baby red potatoes, steam for 6-8 minutes.

Once the potatoes are cooked, you can mash them with milk and butter until you reach your desired consistency.

Enjoy your delicious and flavourful steamed potatoes!

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