Steaming Siomai: Using Your Rice Cooker For Delicious Siomai

Siomai is a traditional Chinese dumpling that has become a staple in the Philippines. It is usually steamed in a bamboo steamer, but if you don't have one, you can use a rice cooker with a steaming basket. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to steam siomai using a rice cooker.

Filling the rice cooker with water

It is important to ensure that the water does not touch the bottom of the steamer basket. Adjust the amount of water if necessary. Once you have added the correct amount of water, cover the rice cooker with the lid and turn it on to the "cook" or "high" setting. This will bring the water to a low boil.

If you are using an adjustable steamer basket, attach it to the rice cooker after the water has come to a boil. If you are using the steaming basket that came with your rice cooker, place the basket in the bowl of the rice cooker before turning it on.

Using a metal steamer basket insert

If your rice cooker doesn't come with its own steaming basket, you can use an adjustable metal steamer basket with feet that fits inside your cooker. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam siomai using a metal steamer basket insert:

Step 1: Prepare the Rice Cooker

Fill the bowl of a rice cooker about a quarter of the way up with water. Cover the rice cooker with the lid and turn it on to the "cook" or "high" setting, bringing the water to a low boil.

Step 2: Attach the Metal Steamer Basket

Attach the metal steamer basket insert onto the rice cooker. If you are using an adjustable steamer basket, place it inside the rice cooker. Ensure that the water does not touch the bottom of the steamer basket. Adjust the amount of water if necessary.

Step 3: Line the Steamer Basket

Line the steamer basket with parchment paper or lettuce leaves. This helps prevent the siomai from sticking to the steamer basket. You can also use a light coat of sesame oil instead of parchment paper.

Step 4: Arrange the Siomai

Place the siomai in a single layer in the lined steamer basket, leaving a little space between each piece to prevent them from sticking together. You can also place napa cabbage leaves at the bottom of the steamer to prevent sticking.

Step 5: Steam the Siomai

Cover the steamer basket with its lid or foil and place it inside the rice cooker. Steam the siomai for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the filling reaches an internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C). Remember to bring the water back to a boil before steaming another batch of siomai if you are cooking in batches.

Step 6: Serve

Once the siomai is cooked, carefully remove the steamer basket from the rice cooker and transfer the siomai to a serving plate. Serve immediately with soy sauce or your favourite dipping sauce.

Lining the steamer basket with parchment paper

Here's a step-by-step guide to lining your steamer basket with parchment paper:

• Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the base of your steamer basket.
• Fold the parchment paper in half, and then fold it in half twice more to create a fairly thin triangle.
• Hold the triangle over the steamer basket with the pointy end lined up in the middle.
• Snip off the end to create a rounded edge that fits the steamer.
• Cut little triangles along the edge, about 2.5 cm (1 inch) apart. These will serve as holes for the steam to pass through.
• Continue cutting triangles along the folded edge and snip off the pointy end.
• Unfold the parchment paper and gently press it into the interior of the steamer basket, ensuring it fits snugly and reaches the edges.
• Secure the parchment paper in place by attaching bamboo paper clips or clothespins to the overhanging edges.

By following these steps, you'll have a perfectly lined steamer basket that will help you create delicious and visually appealing siomai.

Adding the siomai to the steamer basket

When preparing to add the siomai to the steamer basket, ensure that you have already lined the basket with parchment paper or lettuce. This will prevent the dumplings from sticking to the basket. If you're using a rice cooker, lightly coat the surface of the steaming basket with sesame oil. This will also prevent sticking.

Now, it's time to arrange the siomai in the steamer basket. If you're using a bamboo steamer, consider lining the bottom with napa cabbage leaves to prevent sticking. Place the assembled siomai into the basket, leaving about half an inch between each dumpling to prevent them from sticking together.

If you're using a metal steamer basket, ensure that the water in the pot or rice cooker does not touch the bottom of the basket. There should be at least one inch of space between the water and the steamer.

Once the siomai are arranged in the basket, they are ready to be steamed.

Cooking the siomai

Siomai is a traditional Chinese dumpling that has become a staple in the Philippines. It is usually steamed, but it can also be fried and served with soy sauce and calamansi.

Firstly, add water to the bowl of the rice cooker. The amount of water will depend on how many dumplings you are cooking. Ensure that the water level is not too high, as it should not touch the bottom of the steamer basket. Place the bowl inside the rice cooker chamber and turn it on to bring the water to a low boil.

Next, prepare your siomai filling. A traditional filling includes ground pork, shrimp, and mushrooms, but you can also use ground beef or chicken. Mix your chosen ingredients in a large bowl, adding spices such as sesame oil, black pepper, and garlic powder to taste.

Now it's time to assemble the siomai. Place a tablespoon or more of the filling in the centre of a wonton wrapper. Wet the edges of the wrapper with water, then bring two opposite corners together so they meet in the middle. Bring the other two corners towards the centre and seal the sides, forming a dumpling shape. Repeat this process until you have used up all your filling.

Before placing the siomai in the steamer basket, you can line it with parchment paper or lettuce leaves to prevent sticking. You can also brush the basket with a light coat of sesame oil. Arrange the siomai in a single layer in the basket, leaving a little space between each dumpling.

Place the steamer basket inside the rice cooker, ensuring that the boiling water does not touch the bottom of the basket. Cover the rice cooker and let the siomai steam for 15 to 20 minutes. Check that the filling is cooked through; if not, steam for a further 10 minutes.

Once cooked, carefully remove the steamer basket from the rice cooker and let the siomai rest for a few minutes to cool down. Serve immediately with a dipping sauce of your choice. Enjoy!

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