Steaming Without A Basket: Easy Hacks For Perfect Results

Steaming is a simple and healthy cooking method that helps preserve the nutritional value of your food. If you don't have a steamer, there are several easy ways to create a steamy environment for your food. One way is to use a heat-safe colander placed inside a large, lidded pot. Another method is to use a plate and aluminium foil. Simply make three foil balls and place them at the bottom of a pot, then rest a heat-proof plate on top, add your food, cover, and steam. You can also steam food in the microwave by placing it in a microwave-safe bowl with a little water and covering it.

Use a plate and aluminium foil

Steaming is a great way to cook vegetables without losing their texture and nutrition. If you don't have a steamer, you can easily make your own steamer basket with a plate and some aluminium foil. Here's how:

First, take a large pot and a heatproof plate. The pot should be larger than the plate you want to steam your vegetables on. Next, take three sheets of aluminium foil and roll them into balls about the size of a golf ball or a baseball. Place these balls into the bottom of your pot. Now, add water to the pot so that the aluminium foil balls are almost covered. Place your heatproof plate on top of the foil balls and add your chosen vegetables to the plate. Finally, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and turn on the heat. Your DIY steamer is now ready to use!

This simple hack will give you the same results as a steamer basket, without the need for any special equipment. The aluminium foil balls keep your vegetables lifted off the direct heat, allowing them to steam cook perfectly. So, if you're ever in a pinch, just grab a plate and some foil to create your own steamer basket!

Steam in the microwave

Steaming food in the microwave is a convenient and quick method when you don't have a steamer basket. This technique is best for steaming vegetables, and you will need a microwave-safe bowl, some plastic wrap, and a few tablespoons of water.

Place your chosen vegetables in the bowl, add the water, and cover the bowl tightly with the plastic wrap. Ensure that the plastic wrap doesn't touch the food. Microwave for 4-6 minutes, checking frequently, until the vegetables are fork-tender.

While this method is faster than steaming on a stovetop, it's worth noting that the vegetables may have a slightly shrivelled appearance. Additionally, be sure to use microwave-safe plastic wrap by checking for a microwave-safe label on the box.

Use a colander and a pot

Steaming is a simple and healthy cooking method that helps to preserve the nutritional value of your food. If you don't have a steamer, you can easily create a steamy environment for your food using a colander and a pot. Here's how:

First, choose a large pot with a tight-fitting lid. The pot should be deep enough to allow for steam to build up and cook your food effectively. Fill the pot with approximately half an inch of water. Make sure the amount of water you add is enough to steam your food without touching it, as you don't want your food to boil.

Next, place a metal colander inside the pot, ensuring it doesn't touch the water. The colander should hang inside and along the rim of the pot. If your colander doesn't rest on the rim, you can hold it in place with a heat-proof handle or use an oven mitt to protect yourself from the heat.

Now, add your food to the colander. You can steam a variety of foods, from vegetables to proteins like chicken and fish. Just be careful not to overfill the colander, as this may affect the cooking time and effectiveness.

Once your food is in the colander, bring the water to a boil and then lower it to a simmer. Cover the colander and pot with the lid to trap the steam inside. Check your food after about 5 minutes of steaming, adjusting the cooking time as needed depending on the type of food and your desired level of doneness.

When your food is tender and cooked to your liking, carefully remove the colander from the pot using pot holders to protect your hands from the heat. And that's it! You've successfully steamed your food without a steamer basket.

Use a disposable pie pan

Steaming is a moist heat cooking method that is simple, quick, and lets the true flavors of the food shine. While steaming recipes often call for a steamer basket or bamboo steamer, a disposable pie pan can be used as an effective alternative. Here's how you can use a disposable pie pan for steaming:

Prepare the Disposable Pie Pan

Start by taking a disposable aluminum pie pan, which can be purchased cheaply at most grocery stores. Poke several holes into the bottom of the pan using a skewer or a knife. These holes will allow the steam to rise and cook the food effectively.

Set Up the Pot

Place three to four balls of aluminum foil at the bottom of a pot. The foil balls should be big enough to support the pie pan above the water level. Make sure the pot has a tight-fitting lid to trap the steam inside.

Add Water and Food

Fill the pot with water until it reaches just below the level of the pie pan. Place the disposable pie pan on top of the foil balls, ensuring that the edges of the pan are above the water level. Add the food you want to steam to the pan, being careful that it doesn't fall through the holes.

Steam the Food

Cover the pot with its lid and place it on the stove. Turn on the heat and bring the water to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat and let your food steam until it's cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Handling and Safety

Always use oven mitts or a towel when handling the pot, as steam can cause burns. Additionally, be cautious when removing the pie pan from the pot after steaming, as it will be hot and potentially flimsy. Ensure that the holes in the pie pan are small enough so that your food doesn't fall through.

Use a wok setup

A wok is perfectly designed for steaming. Its wide shape means you can fit almost anything inside to steam. Plus, with the right equipment, you can use multiple steaming configurations in a wok, depending on what you want to cook.

Here's how to steam using a wok setup:

What You Need

You will need a wok with a lid, a heat-proof dish that can fit inside the wok, and something to prop up the dish above the water, such as a metal steam rack or a clean metal can.

Setting Up Your Wok

• Place a metal steam rack in the bottom of the wok so that it's at least 2 inches above the water. If you don't have a metal steam rack, you can use an empty can with both ends removed.
• When the water is simmering, place the heatproof dish of food on the rack, cover the wok, and steam.
• Make sure there is enough space between the outer edges of the dish and the sides of the wok for the steam to circulate and cook the food.
• Note that the water level is very important. Always make sure your food is raised enough so that the bubbling water can't touch it.
• When adding water during steaming, use boiling water to keep the water temperature consistent. Cold water will interrupt the cooking process.

Tips for Steaming with a Wok

• Woks have a larger diameter than normal pots, so they can fit larger plates of food.
• Wok lids tend to be more concave than regular pot lids, creating a dome inside the wok with more room for the steam to circulate above the food.
• If you want to steam multiple items, you can use a bamboo steamer in your wok. Bamboo steamers are stackable, allowing you to steam at least three or four different items over the same wok of simmering water.
• If you want to steam larger items, a simple, circular steaming rack with a large lid is a better option than a bamboo steamer.
• A pseudo-essential tool for steaming in a wok is the hot dish steamer tong, which is perfect for picking up large, hot plates safely.

Frequently asked questions