Steaming Made Easy: Using Your Cook Steamer Basket

Steamer baskets are a great way to cook a wide variety of foods. They are a healthy way to prepare food as you don't need to use oil or fat, which can add calories and unwanted trans fats. They also help food retain nutrients, moisture and natural flavour.

To use a steamer basket, first fill a pot with about an inch or two of water, ensuring there's space between the water and the basket. Place the basket into the pot, then bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, add your food to the basket in a single layer, cover with a tight-fitting lid, then reduce the heat to a simmer.

How to set up a steamer basket

Setting up a steamer basket is a simple process and can be done in a few easy steps. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to set up a steamer basket:

Step 1: Choose a Steamer Basket

The first step is to select a steamer basket that suits your needs. The three most common types of steamer baskets are made of stainless steel, silicone, or bamboo. Stainless steel steamer baskets are the most versatile and can be adjusted to fit into a range of different pots and pans. Silicone steamer baskets are flexible, naturally non-stick, and easy to store. Bamboo steamer baskets are stackable and come in various sizes, making them ideal for cooking different types of food simultaneously.

Step 2: Pick a Pan

Once you have chosen your steamer basket, select a suitable pan to use with it. Steamer baskets can be used with a variety of pans, including stock pots, saucepans, deep-sided skillets, or woks. Ensure that the pan you choose has a tight-fitting lid to trap the steam inside.

Step 3: Add Water

Add about one inch of water to the bottom of the pan. The water level should not touch the bottom of the steamer basket to prevent excess moisture from affecting the food. For bamboo steamer baskets, ensure that the bottom rim of the basket is submerged, but the floor of the basket remains dry.

Step 4: Season the Water (Optional)

If desired, you can season the water with salt or other seasonings. As the water evaporates into steam, the seasoned moisture will permeate the ingredients and enhance their flavour.

Step 5: Bring the Water to a Simmer

Place the pan on the stove and turn the heat to medium or a gentle simmer. Avoid boiling the water, as this may cause the food to become too soggy.

Step 6: Place the Steamer Basket in the Pan

Once the water is simmering, carefully place the steamer basket into the pan. Ensure that the steamer basket is secure and does not tip over.

Step 7: Add Food to the Basket

Fill the steamer basket with the food you wish to cook. For bamboo steamer baskets, you can add multiple layers of food, placing the items that take longer to cook in the bottom basket and quicker-cooking items in the upper baskets. Ensure that the food is spread out in a single layer and not overcrowded in the basket.

Step 8: Cover and Steam

Cover the pan and steamer basket with a lid. Allow the food to steam until it is cooked to your desired level of doneness. Avoid opening the lid frequently, as this will release the steam and increase cooking time. Use an oven mitt when removing the lid, as the steam can cause burns.

What foods to steam

There are many foods that can be steamed using a good cook steamer basket. Here is a list of foods that are suitable for steaming:

Vegetables

Any type of vegetable can be steamed, but the cooking time will vary depending on the texture and tenderness desired. Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, collard greens, and Swiss chard are popular choices for steaming, as it helps curb their bitterness while preserving their nutrients. Broccoli, potatoes, green beans, asparagus, and carrots are also great options.

Seafood

Steaming is an excellent way to cook seafood gently and retain its moisture. Delicate seafood such as shrimp, clams, mussels, and scallops can be cooked quickly, while thicker fish fillets like salmon, cod, halibut, and tilapia may take a bit longer. Steaming is also a healthy way to cook fish without adding extra fat.

Meat

Chicken and pork are commonly steamed meats. Steaming meat helps retain nutrients and keeps it juicy and tender, making it perfect for salads, pasta dishes, and stir-fries.

Eggs

Eggs can be steamed to achieve the desired doneness, whether soft-boiled or hard-boiled.

Dumplings and Buns

Steaming is a popular method for cooking dumplings and buns, such as Chinese-style pork meatballs, chicken bao, and prawn wontons. It helps retain their shape and prevents them from bobbing around in a pot of water or searing on a skillet.

Fruits

Apples are one of the few fruits that can be steamed and make a great addition to oatmeal, ice cream, or as a filling for turnovers.

Rice

Rice can be steamed instead of boiled, and it is a versatile side dish that can be dressed up or down to suit any meal.

Legumes

Legumes such as lentils are a great choice for steaming and can be used as a base for vegan dishes, added to pasta, or tossed into a salad for extra protein.

How to steam different foods

Steaming is a moist-heat cooking method that uses hot steam trapped in a pot with a tight-fitting lid to cook food. It is a healthy way to cook as it doesn't require any extra fat. Here is a step-by-step guide to steaming different foods:

Steaming Vegetables

Any vegetable can be steamed, from delicate to hearty varieties. Hearty vegetables like winter squash, beets, broccoli, and potatoes take longer to steam than tender vegetables like peas, green beans, summer squash, and leafy greens.

Steaming Seafood

Steaming is a great way to cook delicate seafood and keep it moist. Shrimp, clams, and mussels cook quickly, while thicker fish fillets like salmon, cod, and halibut take a bit longer. Seafood can be steamed with or without the skin.

Steaming Dumplings and Buns

A variety of dumplings and buns, from meat-filled to vegetable-packed, can be steamed. If desired, sear the dumplings in a hot skillet with some oil to develop a crunchy crust after steaming.

Steaming Eggs

Perfect hard-cooked eggs can be made in a steamer basket instead of boiling them.

General Steps for Steaming Food:

• Choose a steamer basket that fits well into your pan of choice, allowing you to cook the food in as few batches as possible.
• Pick a pan that is deep enough to fit one layer of food, such as a stock pot, saucepan, deep-sided skillet, or wok.
• Add about one inch of liquid (water or stock) to the bottom of the pan, ensuring it touches the bottom of the steamer basket but doesn't seep through the perforations.
• Season the liquid with salt, just like when boiling pasta.
• Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer.
• Arrange the food in an even layer in the steamer basket, ensuring it doesn't overcrowd.
• Cover the pot and maintain a bare simmer while the food steams, adjusting the heat as needed.

Tips:

• Spray the surface of the steamer basket with non-stick cooking spray before adding skinless fish fillets, dumplings, or buns to prevent sticking.
• Always use an oven mitt when removing the lid, as escaping steam can cause severe burns.
• Avoid opening the lid frequently, as this allows steam to escape and affects the cooking process.
• For steaming in the microwave, place the food in a bowl with a few tablespoons of water and cover tightly with microwave-safe plastic wrap. Microwave for 4-6 minutes until fork-tender.

Happy steaming!

How to clean a steamer basket

To clean a steamer basket, you'll need to determine what type of basket you have. Most steamer baskets are made of metal, silicone, or bamboo.

Metal and Silicone Steamer Baskets

Metal and silicone steamer baskets are typically dishwasher-safe, so cleaning them is as easy as loading them into the dishwasher. If you don't have a dishwasher, you can also wash them by hand with warm water and soap, then let them air-dry completely.

Bamboo Steamer Baskets

Bamboo steamer baskets are more delicate and must be washed by hand. You can fill your sink with warm, soapy water and use that to rinse the basket, then let it air-dry. Alternatively, you can soak the basket in hot water for at least eight hours, then rinse and air-dry.

To remove tough grime and odours, you can use a nylon scrubber, a lemon wedge, or a black tea bag to scrub the basket. Always be sure to rinse the basket with clean water after using any of these methods.

After washing, you can use a paper towel with a bit of cooking oil to coat the basket and prevent it from drying out.

Tips for using a steamer basket

A steamer basket is a great way to cook a variety of foods, from vegetables to seafood to dumplings. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your steamer basket:

• Choose the right size steamer basket for the amount of food you want to cook. If you're using a bamboo steamer, you can also use multiple tiers to cook different types of food simultaneously.
• Line the bottom of your steamer basket with lettuce, cabbage leaves, or parchment paper to prevent food from sticking. This is especially important if you're cooking dumplings, fish, or other delicate items.
• Cut your ingredients into evenly sized pieces to ensure consistent cooking. Add ingredients that take longer to cook, like carrots or sweet potatoes, to the steamer first.
• Avoid opening the lid while your food is steaming, as this can disrupt the cooking process. Use an oven mitt when removing the lid, as steam can cause burns.
• Season the water or use broth instead of water to add flavour to your food. You can also add herbs and spices.
• Don't add too much water. You want to steam your food, not boil it.
• Check your food regularly to avoid under or overcooking. Vegetables, for example, usually only take a few minutes to steam fully.
• Make sure the lid of your pot fits tightly to keep the steam in and ensure even cooking.
• Use tongs, a fork, or a spoon to remove food from the steamer basket.
• To clean your steamer basket, hand wash it with warm soapy water and let it air dry completely before storing. Do not put it in the dishwasher, as the high heat and harsh detergents can damage it.

Frequently asked questions