Steaming Secrets: Recreating Restaurant-Style Cooking At Home

Steaming is a moist-heat cooking method that is simple, healthy, and versatile. It is suitable for a wide range of foods, including vegetables, seafood, meat, poultry, eggs, dumplings, and desserts. The technique involves using hot steam to cook food without submerging it in boiling liquid, resulting in tender and moist dishes. Steaming is a gentle method that preserves nutrients, flavours, and textures, making it ideal for delicate ingredients. It is also economical, fast, and requires minimal equipment, such as a pot with a lid, a steamer basket, or even everyday items like aluminium foil.

How to steam food without a steamer

Steaming is a great way to cook food, especially vegetables, seafood, and Asian dishes, as it is quick, gentle on delicate foods, and preserves nutrients. You can easily steam food without a steamer by using a few simple tools you likely already have in your kitchen. Here are some ways to steam food without a steamer:

Use a Pot or Wok with a Lid and a Heat-Proof Dish

This method involves using a pot or wok with a lid and a heat-proof dish that fits inside. You will also need something to prop up the dish above the water, such as a metal steam rack or a clean metal can. Place about two inches of water in the pot or wok, ensuring that the water level is not too high to avoid it touching the dish. Place the steaming rack or empty can in the centre, and put your heatproof dish of food on top. Cover the pot or wok and turn on the heat to bring the water to a simmer. Your food will steam perfectly!

Build a Pie Tin Steamer

This method involves using two reusable aluminium pie tins. Poke 12-16 holes in the base of both pie tins. Use a rolling pin to flatten one of the pie tins, then place the structurally sound tin upside down in a pot with a little water. Rest the flattened tin on top of the first, and place your food on it. Turn on the heat, and you have a perfect steamer! You can even build a multi-layer steamer with this method.

Use a Strainer or Colander

This method is simple and effective. Place your food in a large kitchen strainer or colander and put it on top of a pot of boiling water. The steam will circulate through the strainer and cook your food.

Use a Plate and Some Foil

Find an oven-safe plate that is slightly smaller than your pot. Make three large, solid balls out of aluminium foil and place them in the bottom of the pot. Add water, and place the plate (with ingredients) on top of the aluminium foil balls. Cover the pot and turn on the heat.

Use a Splatter Screen and a Bowl

Place a splatter screen on top of your pot, add your ingredients, and cover with a large bowl. This method is great for sticky rice. You can also use tinfoil instead of a splatter screen, ensuring that it fits tightly around the pot.

Use a Microwave

Place your food in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle it with water or another liquid, and cover it with plastic wrap with a few holes poked into it. Microwave for a few minutes, and you'll have perfectly steamed food.

With these simple methods, you can easily steam food without a steamer and unlock the full flavour of your ingredients!

The benefits of steaming food

Steaming food is a healthy and simple way to cook. This cooking method is one of the healthiest ways to prepare your food as it enhances flavour, seals in nutrients, lowers cholesterol, and the list goes on.

Steaming is a moist-heat cooking technique that can be used for cooking vegetables, fish, shellfish, and Asian dumplings. It is a gentle cooking method that does not require food to be submerged in water or oil. This means that food retains its nutrients, vitamins, and minerals much better. For example, steaming enhances vitamins such as vitamin B, thiamine, niacin, vitamin C, and minerals such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc.

Steaming is also a great way to cook food without adding any fats or oils, which makes it a lighter and healthier option. The steam works to dissolve and remove fat from meat, making it lower in calories and easier to digest. This is especially beneficial for those watching their calorie and fat intake.

Another benefit of steaming food is that it is quick and inexpensive. It is a fast way to prepare dishes and allows you to cook several different foods at the same time, saving time and reducing the number of pots and pans to wash. It is also a great way to cook without creating any unpleasant smells.

Finally, steaming is a gentle cooking method that makes food tender and moist without disturbing it in a boiling liquid. It is less likely to overcook food compared to frying or boiling. The worst that can happen is that you end up with mushy food.

The science of steaming

Steaming is a cooking method that uses moist heat. The heat is created by boiling water, which vaporises into steam. The steam then transfers heat to the food and cooks it. This process begins when the water reaches about 100°Fahrenheit, and steaming is typically done at temperatures of 212°Fahrenheit or lower.

Steaming is a gentle cooking method that is suitable for delicate foods such as seafood and shellfish. It is also a healthy way to cook, as it requires no fats or oils, and preserves up to 50% more nutrients than most other cooking methods.

Steaming can be done with just two pieces of equipment: a pot and a steamer basket. The pot is filled with a small amount of liquid, which is brought to a simmer. The item to be cooked is placed in the basket, which is suspended above the liquid, and the pot is then covered. This technique is known as "compartment steaming".

It is important that the bottom of the steamer basket does not touch the simmering water, as this would add too much moisture and prevent the food from steaming correctly. The lid of the pot should also fit tightly to ensure the steam is contained.

Steaming can also be done in a microwave oven, which is ideal for steaming as it excites the liquids in food. Simply place the food in a microwave-safe dish, add a small amount of water or liquid, cover with plastic wrap with a few holes, and cook for a few minutes.

Steaming is an excellent cooking method for vegetables, especially those that can become soggy when simmered, such as broccoli and cauliflower. It is also a good first step for certain vegetables that will be cooked further, such as broccoli to be added to a stir-fry, or potatoes to be sliced and grilled.

How to steam food in the microwave

Steaming is a moist-heat cooking method that uses hot steam to cook food without disturbing it in a boiling liquid, leaving tender, moist results. It is a gentle cooking method, suitable for delicate foods like seafood, and it avoids the loss of nutrients through leaching.

Steaming food in a microwave is a convenient way to achieve steamed food without the need for specialised equipment. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam food in the microwave:

Step 1: Prepare the Microwave-Safe Container

• Select a microwave-safe dish or container that is large enough to hold the food you wish to steam.
• Ensure the dish has a lid or cover that can be partially closed, allowing some ventilation. Alternatively, use plastic wrap with a few holes poked in it to cover the container.

Step 2: Prepare the Food

• Place the food you wish to steam inside the container.
• For vegetables, lay them in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate or dish.
• For foods like fish or dumplings, place them in a microwave-safe dish with a small amount of liquid, such as broth, stock, or wine, to create flavourful steam.

Step 3: Cover and Ventilate

• Cover the dish or container with a lid, plastic wrap, or a triple layer of damp paper towels.
• Ensure that there is some ventilation to allow steam to escape. This can be achieved by leaving a small gap when covering with a lid or poking a few holes in plastic wrap.

Step 4: Microwave

• Place the covered dish in the microwave and cook on high heat.
• The steaming time will depend on the power of your microwave and the type of food being cooked. For example, vegetables may take 2.5 to 6 minutes, while other foods may take longer.

Step 5: Check and Adjust

• During the steaming process, keep an eye on the food to ensure it doesn't overcook.
• If you are using a liquid, you may need to add more during the cooking process to ensure it doesn't completely evaporate.

Step 6: Remove and Serve

• Once the food is tender and cooked to your desired level, remove it from the microwave carefully, as the steam will be hot.
• Serve the steamed food immediately.

By following these steps, you can easily steam food in the microwave, creating tender and flavourful dishes without the need for specialised equipment.

Steaming food in bamboo steamers

Steaming food is a common cooking technique, especially for vegetables, fish, and Asian dumplingssection-title: dumplings. It is a moist-heat cooking method that uses hot steam to cook food without submerging it in boiling liquid, resulting in tender and moist dishes.

Bamboo steamers are traditional in East Asia and are used daily in restaurants and home kitchens worldwide. They are lightweight, beautifully crafted from woven bamboo, and gentle on food. A bamboo steamer consists of stackable trays that fit on top of each other, covered with a lid. The whole steamer sits on a wok or skillet filled with hot water.

• Place the bamboo steamer in a wok or a wide-rimmed, shallow pan, and fill it with enough water to reach about a quarter to half an inch above the bottom rim of the steamer. Ensure the water level is high enough to prevent the bottom rim from scorching, but not too high that the bubbling water touches the food.
• Line the bamboo steamer baskets with perforated baking paper, napa cabbage leaves, lettuce leaves, cheesecloth, or parchment paper, especially if placing food directly on the steamer bed to prevent sticking.
• Arrange your vegetables or proteins on plates or shallow bowls. If using a heat-proof bowl or plate, there is no need to line the steamer. Just ensure the lid still fits, and there is enough space for steam to circulate.
• Place the bamboo steamer into the wok or pan. You can preheat the water to a simmer before placing the steamer, or you can place the steamer when the water is still cold and then turn on the heat.
• Allow the food to steam according to your recipe, regularly checking and adding boiling water as needed. Do not add cold water, as it will interrupt the cooking process.

Benefits of Bamboo Steamers

• Bamboo steamers are lightweight and have stackable layers, allowing you to cook multiple dishes at once.
• They are efficient, as you can cook a whole meal in layers.
• Bamboo absorbs condensation, preventing delicate foods like dumplings from getting soggy, unlike stainless steel or glass steamers.
• Bamboo steamers are also great for reheating food, as steamingsection-title: steaming reintroduces moisture.
• The lids of bamboo steamers do not collect condensation, so there is no risk of water dripping onto your food and altering its texture or appearance.

Caring for Your Bamboo Steamer

• Before using a new bamboo steamer, soak the bottom rim that will come into contact with the wok or pan in lukewarm water for about 30 minutes to prevent scorching.
• After use, ensure the steamer is fully dried before storing to prevent mould or mildew.
• Clean the steamer with mild soap and a sponge, then immediately rinse and air dry.
• Do not put the bamboo steamer in the dishwasher or soak it in the sink for extended periods.
• If you live in a dry climate, occasionally coat the steamer with vegetable oil to prevent cracking or splintering.

Frequently asked questions