Steam Cooking With A Pressure Cooker: A Step-By-Step Guide

Steam cooking with a pressure cooker is a great way to prepare healthy and tasty meals. This technique is perfect for cooking fresh vegetables, seafood, and even desserts. It is also a more efficient and faster method than traditional steaming. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started with steam cooking using a pressure cooker:

- Add water to the pressure cooker: Pour about 1 to 2 cups (240 to 470 mL) of water into the pressure cooker. The amount of water depends on the quantity of food you're cooking.

- Use a trivet or steam basket: Place a trivet at the bottom of the pressure cooker to hold the food above the water. If your pressure cooker has a metal steaming basket, use it to avoid waterlogged veggies. You can also use a small colander or place the food directly on the trivet.

- Prepare your food: Layer the food in the basket according to cooking time. Place foods that take longer to cook at the bottom, and quicker-cooking foods on top. Avoid overfilling the basket to ensure proper cooking.

- Secure the lid: Place the lid on the pressure cooker and ensure it is sealed properly. This is important to trap the steam inside.

- Set the vent to the sealing position: Close off the vent to build up pressure and steam inside the cooker.

- Select the steam function: Choose the Steam button on your pressure cooker and adjust the cooking time as needed. You can also use the Pressure Cook button if there is no steam button.

- Wait for the beep: Stay near your cooker and manually release the pressure when the timer goes off to avoid overcooking.

- Release the pressure: Cover your hand with an oven mitt or towel, and then open the vent to release the steam and stop the cooking process.

- Open the lid and serve: Carefully remove the lid and take out the steam basket. Your steamed food is now ready to be enjoyed!

Use 1-2 cups of water

Using a pressure cooker to steam your food is a great way to cook vegetables, fish, and other delicate foods. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam using a pressure cooker with 1-2 cups of water:

Step 1: Prepare the Pressure Cooker

Firstly, pour 1-2 cups of water into your pressure cooker. The amount of water will depend on the quantity of food you are cooking. For a smaller amount of food, use less water, and for a larger amount, use 2 cups. It is important to ensure that the water does not exceed the level of the food, as this will result in boiling rather than steaming.

Step 2: Set Up the Trivet and Steam Basket

Place the trivet, which is the short rack that comes with your pressure cooker, at the bottom. If the water level is too high, adjust by removing some water so that it sits below the top of the trivet.

Next, you will need a steam basket. Most pressure cookers do not come with one, so you may need to purchase one separately. Place the steam basket on top of the trivet. Make sure there is a little space left at the top of the basket so that the lid of your pressure cooker can fit securely. Overfilling the basket may result in undercooked food.

Step 3: Prepare and Layer Your Food

Now, it's time to add your food to the steam basket. If you are cooking multiple types of food with different cooking times, it is important to layer them correctly. Place the food that takes the longest to cook at the bottom of the basket, closest to the water. Then, add the food with the shortest cooking time on top.

For example, if you are steaming root vegetables like potatoes or carrots, they will take longer to cook than green vegetables like broccoli. So, the potatoes or carrots would go at the bottom, and the broccoli on top.

Step 4: Secure the Lid and Seal the Vent

Once your food is in the basket, secure the lid of your pressure cooker by placing it on top and turning it clockwise until you hear a click. Double-check that the lid is secure by ensuring the arrows on the lid and the cooker are aligned.

After that, locate the vent switch on the top of the lid and close it off by shifting it to the left or right. This step is crucial as it traps the pressure and steam inside, ensuring your food cooks properly.

Step 5: Set the Steam Function and Cooking Time

Locate the "Steam" button on your pressure cooker, usually found in the lower right area of the control panel. Press it, and the screen should light up, displaying a standard cook time.

Now, adjust the cooking time as needed using the plus or minus keys. The cooking time will depend on the type of food you are steaming. For example, most vegetables steam for 1-5 minutes, but root vegetables may take longer. Seafood, on the other hand, cooks quickly, usually in 1-5 minutes as well.

Step 6: Listen for the Beep and Release Pressure

Stay close to your pressure cooker during the cooking process so that you can hear the beep signalling that the food is done. As soon as you hear the beep, manually release the pressure by switching the vent to the venting position. Cover your hand with an oven mitt or towel to protect it from the escaping steam, which can cause burns.

Step 7: Open the Lid and Remove the Food

Finally, open the lid of your pressure cooker and remove the steam basket. Your food is now ready to be served!

Tips for Steaming with a Pressure Cooker:

• If you are using an Instant Pot, you can flavour the water with vegetable stock to enhance the taste of your food.
• Always use the ""Steam" function for steaming, not the "Pressure Cook" function, as this will affect the cooking time and results.
• If you are steaming a whole meal, stack the food in the correct order, with the hardest-to-cook items at the bottom and the quickest-cooking items on top.
• Do not overfill your steam basket to ensure even cooking and proper lid sealing.

Layer food in the basket according to cooking time

Layering food in the basket according to cooking time is crucial for ensuring that all your ingredients are cooked to perfection. Here's a detailed guide to help you master this technique:

Firstly, it's important to understand that different foods have varying cooking times. For example, root vegetables like potatoes and carrots generally take longer to steam than green vegetables such as broccoli. Similarly, seafood cooks much faster than most vegetables. Therefore, when layering your ingredients, you should place the foods that require a longer cooking time at the bottom of the basket, closer to the water. Conversely, the quickest-cooking ingredients should go on top.

For instance, let's say you're cooking a mix of potatoes, carrots, and broccoli. In this case, you'd want to put the potatoes at the bottom of the basket, followed by the carrots, and finally, the broccoli on top. This way, by the time the steam reaches the potatoes, they will have cooked for a longer duration compared to the carrots and broccoli, resulting in all the ingredients being cooked just right.

It's also essential not to overfill your steam basket. Leave some space at the top to ensure the lid fits securely. A loose lid or an improperly sealed pot can lead to undercooked food. If your basket is too full, consider cooking in batches to ensure even cooking.

Additionally, if you're cooking a whole meal, such as salmon and broccoli, you can save the salmon juices that drip down during cooking. These juices can be used as a delicious fish stock for your next meal!

Lastly, always refer to a cooking guide or your recipe to check the recommended cooking times for each ingredient. This will help you layer your ingredients like a pro and ensure that everything is cooked to perfection. Happy steaming!

Secure the lid on the pot

Now that you've added the food to the pressure cooker, it's time to secure the lid.

Place the lid over the top of the pressure cooker. Then, turn the lid clockwise until you hear a click, locking the lid into place. Double-check that the lid is secure by ensuring the arrows on the lid and the cooker align. If the lid isn't sealed properly, steam can escape, and your food won't cook correctly.

If your pressure cooker has a vent switch, don't forget to shift it to the closed position. This will ensure the steam and pressure are trapped inside.

With the lid secured, you're now ready to start steaming your food.

Turn the handle near the vent to seal it off

To steam cook using a pressure cooker, it is crucial to seal off the vent securely. This step is essential to ensure that the pressure cooker can trap the steam generated during the cooking process, creating a high-pressure environment that expedites cooking. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Locate the vent: Begin by identifying the vent on your pressure cooker. It is typically a small opening or nozzle positioned near the lid's edge or at the top of the cooker body. Its purpose is to release excess steam and maintain a safe pressure level during cooking.

Identify the handle: Near the vent, you'll find a handle or knob designed to control the sealing mechanism. This handle is crucial for opening and closing the vent, allowing you to regulate the release of steam. It is usually made of plastic or metal and is attached to a rod or lever that operates the sealing mechanism.

Turn the handle clockwise: To seal off the vent, turn the handle near the vent in a clockwise direction. This action will engage the sealing mechanism, ensuring that the vent is tightly closed and no steam can escape. Make sure to turn the handle firmly until you feel some resistance or hear a slight clicking sound, indicating that the vent is securely sealed.

Confirm the seal: After turning the handle, verify that the vent is indeed sealed. Check if the handle or knob is securely in the closed position. Some pressure cookers may have an indicator, such as a marker or line, to show that the vent is properly closed. Additionally, newer models might have a locking mechanism that provides visual confirmation of the sealed state.

By following these steps and turning the handle near the vent in a clockwise direction, you can effectively seal off the pressure cooker. This creates a tightly closed environment, allowing the steam generated during the cooking process to build up pressure and cook your food efficiently. Remember always to use oven mitts or potholders when handling the pressure cooker to avoid any burns.

Push the 'Steam' button

Once you've prepared your ingredients, it's time to start steam cooking with your pressure cooker. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Pressure Cooker

First, pour water into your pressure cooker. The amount of water will depend on the size of your cooker and the quantity of food. As a general rule, use between 1 to 2 cups (240 to 470 mL) of water. Make sure not to overfill, as you don't want the water to touch the food.

Step 2: Prepare the Trivet and Steamer Basket

Place the trivet (the short rack that comes with your pressure cooker) at the bottom of the pot. The trivet should sit above the water level. If your pressure cooker didn't come with a trivet, you can use a small colander instead.

Next, get your steamer basket ready. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use a metal steaming basket, a metal trivet, or even a small colander. Layer the food inside the basket according to cooking time, with the items that take the longest at the bottom and quicker-cooking items on top. Just be sure not to overfill the basket, leaving a little space at the top to ensure the lid fits securely.

Place the filled steamer basket on top of the trivet, ensuring that the top of the basket is below the top edge of the pot.

Step 3: Secure the Lid and Seal the Vent

Secure the lid on your pressure cooker, turning it clockwise until you hear a click. Double-check that the lid is locked by ensuring any arrows on the lid and pot are aligned. Then, locate the vent switch on the lid and close it off by shifting it to the left or right. This step is crucial for trapping the pressure and steam inside.

Step 4: Push the "Steam" Button and Set the Cooking Time

Now, it's time to push the "Steam" button! This button is usually located in the lower right area of the control panel. After pressing it, adjust the cooking time using the plus or minus keys. The cooking time will depend on the type of food you're preparing. For example, most vegetables steam in 1 to 5 minutes, but root vegetables may take longer.

Step 5: Release the Pressure and Enjoy Your Meal

When the timer goes off, manually release the pressure by switching the vent to the venting position. Be very careful during this step, as the escaping steam is extremely hot. Once the pressure is released, open the lid and remove the steamer basket. Your delicious and nutritious meal is now ready to be served!

Frequently asked questions