Steaming Fish Perfection: Pressure Cooker Style

Steamed fish is a delicious and healthy meal that can be prepared in a pressure cooker, reducing cooking time and locking in flavour. The pressure cooker's sealed environment helps the fish absorb seasonings and sauces, resulting in a more flavourful dish. This method is suitable for a variety of fish types, including salmon, cod, halibut, and tilapia, and can be used for both fresh and frozen fillets. The key steps to preparing steamed fish in a pressure cooker include choosing the right fish, seasoning and marinating, adding liquid to the cooker, placing the fish inside, sealing and cooking under pressure, and finally releasing the pressure and serving. With this technique, you can enjoy tender, juicy, and flavourful fish every time.

Choosing the right fish

Firm-Fleshed Varieties

Opt for fish with firm flesh, such as salmon, cod, halibut, or snapper. These types of fish hold their shape well under pressure and have a rich flavour that pairs nicely with pressure cooking. Firm-fleshed fish are less likely to fall apart or become mushy during the cooking process.

Freshness

While both fresh and frozen fish can be used, fresh fish will generally yield better results. Fresh fish tends to have a superior texture and flavour compared to frozen fish, which can become mushy when cooked under pressure. If you do choose to use frozen fish, it is recommended to thaw it before cooking to ensure even cooking and prevent any potential safety issues.

Size and Thickness

Consider the size and thickness of the fish fillets or steaks you choose. The cooking time will depend on these factors. Most fish fillets can be cooked for 3 to 5 minutes on high pressure, while thicker steaks may require 6 to 8 minutes. For example, a 3/4 lb. piece of fresh salmon is typically cooked for 4 minutes on high pressure.

Personal Preference

Ultimately, the type of fish you choose depends on your personal preference. White fish, such as cod or halibut, are versatile and can be paired with various seasonings and flavours. Salmon, with its rich flavour and colour, is also a popular choice for pressure cooking. You can also experiment with different types of fish to find your favourite.

Seasonings and Marinades

Keep in mind that you can enhance the flavour of the fish by adding seasonings and marinades before cooking. However, use a moderate amount of seasoning to avoid overpowering the delicate taste of the fish. Fresh herbs, citrus juice, garlic, lemon, and spices can all be used to infuse the fish with delicious flavours.

Preparing ingredients

Preparing the ingredients

To prepare the ingredients for steamed fish in a pressure cooker, start by choosing a firm-fleshed fish variety such as salmon, cod, or halibut, as they hold up well under pressure. Clean the fish and cut it into pieces that will fit into your pressure cooker. You can leave the skin on or remove it, depending on your preference.

For the cooking liquid, you can use water, wine, broth, or even coconut milk. You will need about a cup of liquid to create the steam necessary for pressure cooking.

Gather your desired seasonings, such as garlic, lemon, herbs, and spices. You can also use premade seasoning mixes or sauces like soy sauce, lemon pepper, or taco seasoning. If you plan to serve the fish with a sauce, you can make a simple parsley sauce or buy a ready-made one.

If you want to cook vegetables alongside the fish, prepare them by slicing or cutting into bite-sized pieces. You can use a variety of vegetables such as zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, onion, bell pepper, or potatoes.

Finally, get your pressure cooker ready by removing the lid and pouring in the chosen cooking liquid. Place the steamer rack or trivet inside the cooker, ensuring it is securely positioned.

Seasoning and marinating the fish

Firstly, select your desired seasonings. A variety of options are available, including garlic, lemon, herbs, spices, olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can also experiment with other ingredients like soy sauce, lime juice, olives, tomatoes, or even a splash of citrus juice. The key is to choose flavours that complement each other and pair well with fish.

Once you have gathered your seasonings, it's time to coat the fish fillets generously. Ensure that the seasonings are evenly distributed over the fish. After coating, let the fish marinate for at least 15 minutes. This marination process allows the flavours to penetrate the fish, ensuring that every bite is packed with taste.

While the fish is marinating, you can prepare the pressure cooker. Pour one cup of liquid into the cooker; this can be broth, wine, or even coconut milk. The liquid is essential as it creates the steam necessary for pressure cooking. Place a trivet or steamer basket inside the cooker, ensuring it is elevated above the liquid.

After the fish has marinated, gently place the fillets into the cooker, making sure they are evenly spaced apart. This ensures that the fish cooks evenly. You can also add vegetables to the cooker, either alongside the fish or in a separate container, for a complete one-pot meal.

With the fish and vegetables in place, secure the lid, and you're ready to start cooking. Set the timer according to the thickness of your fish fillets, usually around 2-3 minutes per centimetre of thickness. For fresh fish, 6 minutes on high pressure is ideal, while frozen fillets may require 8 minutes.

Once the timer goes off, carefully release the pressure using the quick-release method. This step is crucial to prevent overcooking and maintain the tender texture of the fish.

Finally, gently transfer the fish to a serving plate, and don't forget to drizzle any remaining cooking liquid over the fillets for an extra burst of flavour. Your delicious and healthy steamed fish is now ready to be enjoyed!

Adding liquid to the pressure cooker

To begin, place a trivet at the bottom of the pressure cooker and pour in the liquid of your choice. It is important to ensure that the water does not touch the bottom of the rack. This step is crucial as it creates the necessary steam for cooking the fish.

After adding the liquid, you can proceed to season and marinate the fish fillets with your chosen spices, herbs, and citrus juices. This step will infuse the fish with flavour and ensure that every bite is delicious.

Once the fish is seasoned to your liking, it's time to gently place the fillets into the pressure cooker, making sure they are evenly spaced out. This ensures that the fish cooks evenly and prevents overcrowding in the cooker.

With the fish in place, you are now ready to lock the lid securely and set the timer according to the thickness of your fillets. As a general rule, it is recommended to cook the fish for 2-3 minutes per centimeter of thickness.

During the cooking process, the pressurized environment of the pressure cooker will help the fish absorb the seasonings and sauces, resulting in a flavourful and juicy dish.

Cooking time

The cooking time for your steamed fish will depend on the type of fish, the cooking method, and whether the fish is fresh or frozen.

For fresh or frozen salmon, allow 3-4 minutes of cooking time on high pressure. For frozen salmon, you may need to add an extra minute.

For frozen fish fillets such as tilapia, cod, halibut, or haddock, 2 minutes on high pressure should be sufficient. However, if the fillets are thicker than 1/2 inch, you may need to increase the cooking time to 3-4 minutes.

For whole fresh fish like sea bass or trout, pressure cook for 4-6 minutes.

Mackerel steaks or whole mackerel will take 5-6 minutes.

Fresh or frozen mackerel fillets will take 1 minute on high pressure or 2 minutes on low pressure.

When cooking fish in a pressure cooker, it is important to remember that the cooking time can vary depending on the size and thickness of the fillets or steaks. As a general rule, most fish fillets can be cooked in a pressure cooker for 3 to 5 minutes on high pressure, while thicker fish steaks may require 6 to 8 minutes.

If you are cooking your fish with vegetables, the cooking time will depend on the type of vegetable. For example, broccoli will only need 0 minutes, while carrots cut into larger chunks can be cooked for 2 minutes.

When steaming fish, it is important to remember that fish generally doesn't take long to cook. This is especially true when using a pressure cooker, which can significantly reduce cooking time compared to other methods.

Frequently asked questions