Steaming Deliciousness: T-Fal Steam Cuisine 600Cl Cooking Guide

The T-fal Steam Cuisine 600cl is a 3-tier food steamer and rice cooker. It comes with two stackable bowls, a rice bowl, and an external water gauge. It also features an automatic timer that stops cooking and signals completion. The steamer can cook all types of food, including grains, vegetables, fruits, eggs, seafood, meat, and poultry. To cook rice, simply put the rice in the rice bowl, fill it with water, and place it in the steam basket or the largest bowl. To cook eggs, place them in the steamer basket for 8 minutes for soft-boiled and 12 minutes for hard-boiled.

How to cook rice in the T-fal Steam Cuisine 600 CL

The T-fal Steam Cuisine 600 CL comes with a rice bowl that fits inside either of the larger bowls for steaming rice. To cook rice, first put the desired amount of rice in the rice bowl and fill it with water. Then, place the rice bowl inside the steam basket or inside the largest bowl. Finally, start the cooking process.

It is recommended to wash the rice bowl on the lowest heat setting or prewash setting in the dishwasher. Additionally, the T-fal Steam Cuisine 600 CL features a turbo steam generator that provides instant steam and side spouts for easy water refill. The automatic timer will stop the cooking process and signal its completion.

How to steam vegetables

Steaming is one of the quickest and healthiest ways to cook vegetables. It is important to not overcook them, so they retain their crisp texture. Here is a guide on how to steam vegetables using a steamer basket or a pan:

Using a Steamer Basket:

Step 1: Chop the vegetables into uniform bite-sized pieces. Thicker vegetables like carrots will take longer to cook, so cut them into smaller pieces.

Step 2: Add 1 inch of water to the bottom of a saucepan or pot and place the steamer basket inside. The water level should be just under the basket. Bring the water to a boil.

Step 3: Once the water is boiling, add the vegetables to the basket, cover with a lid, and cook until tender. The cooking time will vary depending on the type of vegetable. As a reference, broccoli takes 3 to 5 minutes, green beans and carrots take 4 to 5 minutes, and cauliflower takes 10 to 12 minutes.

Step 4: Carefully remove the vegetables from the steamer basket and place them in a bowl. Toss them with a bit of olive oil or butter and season with kosher salt to taste. You can also add fresh herbs, lemon juice, feta cheese crumbles, or other spices for extra flavor.

Using a Pan:

This method involves using a medium pan with a steamer insert or a collapsible steamer basket. If you don't have either of these, you can simply use a pan with a lid.

• Fill the pan with around 1-2 inches of water and bring it to a boil.
• Add the vegetables to the pan or the steamer insert/basket. If using a steamer insert/basket, make sure it doesn't touch the bottom of the pan.
• Cover the pan and cook until the vegetables are tender. Refer to the timing guide mentioned earlier for different types of vegetables.
• If the pan boils dry, add a little more water as needed.

Additional Tips:

• You can steam frozen vegetables directly from the freezer. Steaming frozen vegetables is a great way to preserve their nutrients.
• Avoid steaming large chunks of hard vegetables like potatoes, squash, or celeriac. These are better suited for other cooking methods.
• Root vegetables like carrots should be sliced, unless you're using baby carrots.
• Artichokes can be steamed whole, but make sure to trim them first.
• Cauliflower and broccoli should be broken into florets before steaming.
• You can also steam vegetables in the microwave. Place the vegetables in a microwave-safe bowl, add 2-3 tablespoons of water, and cover with a plate or heatproof lid. Microwave according to the steaming times mentioned earlier.

How to cook eggs

Firstly, it is important to note that the T-fal Steam Cuisine 600cl can cook all types of food, including eggs. The steamer has two bowls that can be stacked to cook a complete meal simultaneously. The bowls are also equipped with detachable grills, which can be removed to increase the cooking zone for bulkier foods.

To cook eggs, simply place them in the steamer basket. The cooking time depends on the desired consistency of the yolk. For runny yolks, steam for 6-8 minutes. For nearly set, vibrant yolks, steam for 9-11 minutes. For fully cooked through yolks, steam for 13-15 minutes.

When the eggs are done, it is important to cool them immediately in an ice bath to prevent overcooking. To do this, fill a medium bowl with ice and water and transfer the eggs to the ice water as soon as they are done cooking. Let the eggs rest in the ice bath for at least a few minutes before peeling. For cold eggs, rest them in the ice bath for at least 15 minutes.

To peel the eggs, crack the shell all over and then roll the egg along your countertop. Run the egg under cold water and the shell should peel away easily. Rinse away any remaining shell debris.

Store fully cooked steamed eggs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

How to steam a whole chicken

Firstly, prepare your chicken by washing it and patting it dry with paper towels. Next, rub coarse salt into the cavity of the chicken and, if desired, add aromatics such as garlic and shallots. You can also add herbs and citrus fruits to the cavity to infuse the meat with flavour. One option is to use a Chinese sausage, which will help to keep the chicken moist.

Then, place the chicken breast-side up onto a glass dish inside your steamer. If your steamer baskets have removable bases, you will be able to remove the bases from baskets 2 and 3 and place the chicken inside the lower basket. Cover the steamer with a high-domed lid.

Now, turn the heat on high and wait for the water to reach a strong boil. Once this happens, set a timer for 20 minutes. Do not reduce the heat or lift the lid at any point during this process. After 20 minutes, turn the heat off and leave the chicken in the steamer for a further 20 minutes.

After this, carefully lift the chicken out of the steamer and pour the juices from its cavity back into the glass dish. Set the chicken onto a clean plate and sprinkle salt over its surface. Then, cover the chicken loosely with aluminium foil and leave it to rest for 10 minutes.

Finally, when the chicken is cool enough to handle, chop it into pieces and serve warm or at room temperature with a dipping sauce.

Note: The steaming time may vary depending on the size of your chicken.

How to descale the appliance

Descaling your T-Fal Steam Cuisine 600CL appliance is a simple process that should be done every 7 to 10 uses to maintain an effective flow of steam and extend the life of your appliance. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to descale your appliance:

Step 1: Prepare the Descaling Solution

Fill the water tank with a solution of one-third white vinegar and two-thirds water. The vinegar helps to break down any mineral deposits or scale buildup inside the appliance.

Step 2: Soak the Appliance

Leave the vinegar and water solution in the water tank overnight. This allows the solution to work on any scale or mineral deposits that may have built up.

Step 3: Rinse the Water Tank

After the solution has soaked overnight, thoroughly rinse the inside of the water tank with warm water several times to remove any remaining vinegar and dissolved minerals.

Important Notes:

• Never use abrasive cleaning products when descaling your appliance as these can damage the surfaces.
• Always remember to descale your appliance regularly to ensure optimal performance and prolong its lifespan.
• If you notice discolouration of the heater (grey part) or peeling of the surface, it is likely due to mineral buildup. In this case, descaling is necessary to restore the heater's functionality.

Frequently asked questions