Cooking Rice With A Bamboo Steamer: A Simple Guide

Bamboo steamers are a popular way to cook rice, especially in Asia. They are a healthy way to cook food without losing flavour, shape, colour and nutrients. The steaming baskets are designed to allow moist water vapour to circulate throughout the food. The gentle cooking method yields fluffy grains that aren't sticky or tough. This is a foolproof way to cook short-grain rice with no burnt pans to clean up!

Preparing the rice for steaming

Once you have your rice, it's time to rinse it. Rinsing removes some of the starch, which will help prevent the rice from becoming sticky after cooking. Use a mesh colander and rinse the grains with cold water until the water runs clear. Then, pour the rice into a bowl and cover it with cold water. Let the rice soak for at least two hours, but preferably longer—up to eight hours or even overnight. Soaking helps the rice steam-cook faster.

After the rice has soaked, drain it and prepare your bamboo steamer. Line the bottom basket of the steamer with a damp cloth or a large vegetable leaf, such as a leek, cabbage, or bok choy leaf. This helps to hold in moisture and keep the rice in the steamer. You can also spray the sides of the basket with vegetable spray to prevent sticking.

Now, you're ready to add the rice. Spread the presoaked rice out in a thin layer on top of the cloth or leaf lining your steamer basket. If using vegetables leaves, you can add additional leaves on top of the rice. If using a cloth, place another damp cloth on top of the grains, allowing any excess material to hang over the sides of the basket.

Your rice is now ready for steaming!

Preparing the bamboo steamer

Firstly, you will need to wash the rice by rinsing it in water. This will help to remove some of the starch, so your rice is less sticky after cooking. Next, soak the rice in a bowl of cold water for several hours or, ideally, overnight. This will help the rice to steam-cook faster.

After the soaking period, drain the rice. Now, you need to line the bamboo basket. You can use a damp steaming cloth or a clean, damp dishcloth. If you want to add flavour to the rice, you can use large vegetable leaves such as leeks, cabbage, or bok choy. You can also spray the sides of the basket with vegetable spray to prevent sticking. Place the presoaked rice into the lined basket and spread it out. If using leaves, cover the rice with another layer of leaves. Place the lid on the basket, and if using a cloth, place the excess material on top of the lid to help trap the steam.

Fill a wok or stainless steel pot with about 2 inches of water and place it on the stove. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat so that the water is still boiling but not too vigorously. Place the bamboo steamer into the pot, ensuring that the layer of rice sits above the waterline. The steamer should not be immersed in the water. You may need to use two stacked baskets to keep the rice out of the water.

Cooking the rice in the steamer

Cooking rice in a bamboo steamer is a gentle, healthy way to prepare rice without losing flavour, shape, colour, and nutrients. The steaming process is popular in Asia and is often used for cooking glutinous or sticky rice as it reduces some of the natural stickiness of the rice.

To cook rice in a bamboo steamer, start by rinsing the rice in water to remove excess starch. Then, soak the rice in a bowl of cold water for at least two hours or up to eight hours. The longer the rice soaks, the shorter the steaming time. After soaking, drain the rice and set it aside.

Next, prepare your bamboo steamer by lining the bottom basket with a damp cloth or large vegetable leaves such as cabbage or parchment paper. Place the drained rice on top of the lining, spreading it out into a thin layer. If using leaves, cover the rice with additional leaves. If using a damp cloth, place another damp cloth on top of the rice, allowing the excess material to hang over the sides of the basket. Place the lid on the basket, and pull the extra cloth over the top, securing it with a clothespin if needed.

Now, it's time to set up your cooking vessel. Fill a wok, skillet, or stainless steel pot with about 2 inches of water, making sure the water level is below the steamer basket when placed inside. Place the vessel on the stove and bring the water to a boil. Then, reduce the heat slightly so the water is still boiling.

Place the bamboo steamer into the pot, ensuring that the rice sits above the waterline. Depending on the size of your steamer, you may need to use two stacked baskets to keep the rice out of the water. Cover the pot and begin steaming.

Steam the rice for about 30 minutes. During this time, periodically check the water level and add more water as needed to ensure the rice cooks thoroughly. Also, check the cloth or leaves to ensure they haven't dried out, moistening them with a small amount of water if necessary.

After 30 minutes, remove the bamboo steamer from the pot and check the rice. If it is fully cooked, fluff it with a fork and serve immediately. If it needs more time, be careful not to overcook and steam in small increments of 2 to 3 minutes until it reaches the desired tenderness.

You can infuse flavour into your rice by steaming it with vegetable or meat broth instead of plain water, or by adding whole spices to the water. Additionally, lining the baskets with leaves like banana leaves or corn husks will add subtle flavour to your rice.

How to flavour the rice

There are many ways to flavour rice when cooking it in a bamboo steamer. The gentle cooking method of bamboo steamers is perfect for infusing rice with flavour without losing its shape or nutrients.

Firstly, you can add whole spices to the water when soaking the rice. You can also add spices to the water in the wok or pot, which will impart their aromas and flavours to the rice as it steams.

Secondly, you can replace the water with tea, coconut milk, or stock to add fragrance and flavour to the rice. Try chicken, pork, vegetable, or mushroom stock for an extra savoury kick.

Thirdly, you can add a subtle flavour to the rice by lining the bamboo steamer with banana leaves, grape leaves, or corn husks. You can also steam vegetables in a separate basket below the rice to infuse it with their flavour.

Finally, you can add salt, oil, fried onions, tomatoes, or spices to the rice before steaming.

• Soak the rice for at least 10 minutes, or up to 8 hours, to help reduce the cooking time and prevent stickiness.
• Use parchment paper, cabbage leaves, or an aromatic leaf like lotus to line the steamer and prevent the rice from falling through the slats.
• Stack multiple baskets on top of each other to cook more rice or other foods at the same time.
• The water level in the wok or pot should be about an inch below the bottom of the steamer to ensure even cooking.
• Check the rice regularly to ensure it doesn't dry out, and add more water if needed.
• Fluff the rice with a fork before serving to separate the grains and create a light, fluffy texture.
• Season the rice with salt, if desired, and serve immediately, or spread it out on a plate to prevent over-steaming.

How to serve the rice

Once your rice is cooked, it's time to serve it! Here are some tips to help you serve rice cooked in a bamboo steamer:

• Fluff the rice with a fork: Use a fork to gently fluff the rice grains before serving. This will help separate the grains and make the rice look lighter and airier.
• Check the tenderness: Taste a small amount of rice to ensure it is cooked to your desired tenderness. If you prefer softer rice, you can always steam it for a few more minutes.
• Season with salt: If desired, season the rice with a pinch of kosher salt to enhance its flavour.
• Transfer to a plate: If you need to set the rice aside, transfer it to a large plate and spread it out in an even layer. This will prevent the rice from continuing to steam and overcook.
• Serve immediately: Rice cooked in a bamboo steamer is best served fresh and hot. So, ensure you bring it to the table immediately after cooking.
• Accompany with side dishes: Rice is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of side dishes. Consider serving it with stir-fried vegetables, steamed fish or chicken, or a tasty sauce.
• Garnish and presentation: Add some colour and flavour to your rice by garnishing it with herbs, green onions, or other toppings. You can also shape the rice in a bowl or mould to create a visually appealing presentation.

Remember, rice cooked in a bamboo steamer is known for its fluffy, non-sticky texture. So, when serving, emphasise this unique quality and enjoy the delicious, gently cooked rice!

Frequently asked questions