Steam Cooking In Conventional Ovens: A Step-By-Step Guide

Steam ovens are a great way to cook food without using oil or butter, and they also preserve the nutritional value of the food. Steam ovens use wet heat to cook food, and depending on the model, water is poured into a reservoir or water tank within the oven. Steam ovens are also faster than regular ovens, with cooking times of under 20 minutes. Steam ovens are great for cooking proteins such as fish, chicken, and pork, as well as vegetables and grains. You can also bake bread, cakes, and pastries in a steam oven.

Steam vegetables by placing a grate over a pan of water in the oven

Steaming is a popular method for cooking vegetables as it helps retain their nutrients, colour, and natural flavour. Here is a step-by-step guide to steaming vegetables by placing a grate over a pan of water in the oven:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 200 °F (93 °C). It should be ready in 5-10 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables

Wash your vegetables and cut them into uniform, bite-sized pieces. This ensures even cooking and even distribution of flavour.

Step 3: Prepare the Grate and Pan

Place a metal cooking grate over an oven-safe pot or pan. The grate should be slightly larger than the pot. Pour 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) of boiling water into the pan. The water level should be below the grate.

Step 4: Place Vegetables on the Grate

Arrange the vegetables on the grate. It's okay if they touch. For larger vegetables, like peppers and onions, chop them into pieces that won't fall through the grate.

Step 5: Cover with Aluminium Foil

Cover the vegetables and grate with aluminium foil. Make sure there are no openings for steam to escape.

Step 6: Steam in the Oven

Place the entire package in the oven and let the vegetables steam. The cooking time will depend on the type of vegetable. For example, cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus, and spinach need 5-6 minutes, while carrots need 6-8 minutes. Check the vegetables with a fork to ensure they are cooked to your desired tenderness.

Step 7: Remove and Serve

Remove the pot from the oven and let the vegetables cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your perfectly steamed vegetables!

Steam gives bread a crunchy, firm crust

Steam is an essential factor in achieving a crunchy, firm crust when baking bread. The moisture from the steam delays the formation of a crust, giving the bread a longer opportunity to rise and gain volume. This is known as "oven spring". The steam keeps the dough's surface supple, allowing it to stretch to its maximum volume and resulting in a light, airy loaf.

The steam also helps to create a shiny, glossy crust. The moisture in the initial baking stages enables the surface of the dough to gelatinise, causing the starches to swell and become glossy. This results in a shiny crust.

Additionally, the steam prevents the crust from burning. It delays the Maillard reaction, a process in which sugars and amino acids react with each other to brown the crust. By preventing the surface temperature from getting too high too early in the baking process, the steam ensures that the inside of the loaf has time to cook through without the crust becoming too dark.

To achieve this, you can use a steam oven, which uses "wet heat" to cook your food. Alternatively, you can create steam in a conventional oven by pouring water over hot lava rocks and sealing the oven, or by using a Dutch oven.

Steam ovens are much smaller than a regular oven

How to Steam Cook in a Conventional Oven

Steam ovens use "wet heat" to cook your food. Water is poured into a reservoir (or water tank) within the oven, and as the oven heats up, steam is produced, cooking your food.

Benefits of Steam Cooking

Steaming is a healthy way to cook your food. You don't need to add oil or butter, and it preserves the nutritional value of your food. It also prevents food from sticking together, so no oil or cooking spray is needed.

How to Steam in a Conventional Oven

If you don't have a steam oven, you can still steam food in a conventional oven. Here's how:

• Preheat your oven to the desired temperature.
• Prepare your food. For vegetables, you may want to chop them into smaller pieces for more even cooking.
• Bring water to a boil in a separate pot on the stovetop.
• Pour about half an inch of boiling water into an oven-safe pot or pan.
• Place a grate or steaming pan over the pot, and arrange your food on it. Make sure the food is not touching the water.
• Cover the pot and food with aluminium foil to trap the steam.
• Place the pot in the oven and let it steam for the desired amount of time, usually around 3-8 minutes for vegetables.
• Remove the pot from the oven and let it cool before serving.

Tips

• Be careful when handling hot pots and water to avoid burns.
• You can also steam fish and bread in the oven using similar methods.
• Experiment with different recipes and techniques to get the most out of your steam oven.

Steam cooking is one of the healthiest ways to prepare meals

One of the main benefits of steam cooking is that it helps retain the nutritional value of the food. Unlike other cooking methods such as boiling, frying, or baking, steaming does not cause the food to come into direct contact with water or cooking oils and fats. This means that more vitamins and minerals are preserved in the food. For example, steaming helps retain vitamins such as vitamin B, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, biotin, B12, pantothenic acid, and vitamin C, as well as minerals like calcium, phosphorous, potassium, and zinc.

Another advantage of steam cooking is that it does not require the use of oil or fat, resulting in lighter and healthier meals. This makes it a great option for those watching their waistlines or trying to reduce their fat and cholesterol intake. Additionally, the absence of oil makes cleanup easier, as there is no oil splatter or smoke to deal with.

Steam cooking is also a quick and easy way to prepare meals. You simply need to prep the food, place it in the steamer, and let the steam do its work. There is no need to constantly monitor the food or worry about it boiling over or burning. This makes it a convenient option for inexperienced cooks or those who are short on time.

Steaming is also an excellent way to reheat food without compromising its quality, texture, or taste. It is particularly well-suited for delicate foods like vegetables and seafood that can easily be overcooked or ruined by extreme heat. By steaming, you can ensure that your food retains its colour, shape, and texture, resulting in a great-looking and delicious plate of food.

Overall, steam cooking is a healthy, convenient, and versatile way to prepare meals that can help you retain the nutritional value of your food while also saving time and effort in the kitchen.

Steam ovens are faster than regular ovens

Steam ovens are also more efficient to run. They cook food quickly, which means less energy usage and a lower energy bill. Steam ovens are also A+ energy-rated, with none going below an A energy rating.

Steam ovens are also more versatile than regular ovens. They can steam, roast, bake, and prepare food in a number of other ways. With a combination steam oven, you can steam, bake, broil, reheat, and even toast various foods.

Steam ovens are also healthier than regular ovens. You don't need to use butter or oil to prepare your food, and steaming preserves the nutritional value of the food. This means your food will be more flavourful and retain vitamins and minerals.

Steam ovens are also more convenient than regular ovens. They are smaller and more compact, so they can fit into a variety of kitchen spaces. They are also easier to clean, as they have a steam clean function that softens baked-on grime.

Overall, steam ovens offer a wide range of benefits that make them faster, more efficient, and more convenient than regular ovens.

Frequently asked questions