Steaming Basics: Using A Saucepan Steamer Attachment

Steamer saucepans are a great way to cook food in a nutritious, healthy manner. They are easy to use, quick to prepare, and can be stored efficiently in your kitchen pantry. To use a steamer saucepan, first, turn your stove top to high heat. Fill the steamer saucepan halfway with water and place the lid on top. Once the water begins to boil, add your food to the steamer and replace the lid. Keep the heat on high until the water boils again, then turn the heat down to medium-high. The time needed to cook will vary depending on the type of food. For example, vegetables will need at least 5 minutes, while meats will need 10 to 15 minutes. Once your food is cooked, remove the lid, pour out the water, and separate the food into a bowl for seasoning.

Filling the steamer saucepan

Filling a steamer saucepan is a simple process, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your food cooks evenly and efficiently. Firstly, fill the bottom pan or base of your steamer with water. The amount of water you use will depend on the type and quantity of food you're cooking. As a general rule, fill the pan halfway up with water if you're cooking a larger batch of vegetables or if you want softer veggies. For firmer veggies or smaller batches, a lower water level of about half an inch to an inch is sufficient.

If you're cooking something like potatoes or turnips, you can place them directly in the water to boil while steaming other foods in the layers above. You can also add flavour to the water with herbs, garlic, spices, or even chicken stock. However, if you're using an electric steamer, only use water and avoid adding anything else to the reservoir as it may damage the equipment.

Once you've filled the base with water, you can start layering your food. Place the foods that take longer to cook in the first section, closest to the water. For example, carrots, cauliflower, and other harder vegetables go in the first layer. The second layer can be for foods that take a moderate amount of time to cook, such as cabbage. Finally, the top layer is for quick-cooking foods like green beans and broccoli.

Arrange your food in a single layer on each tier of the steamer. This ensures that the steam can reach all the pieces evenly. Cut your food into uniform sizes to further promote even cooking. If you're steaming vegetables, try to limit the amount to a single layer per basket or tier. This ensures that all the veggies receive enough steam and cook uniformly.

Once you've filled the steamer saucepan with food and water, you're ready to turn on the heat and start cooking!

Preparing the food

First, select a pot or saucepan that fits your steamer basket. The basket should fit snugly inside the pot or pan. If you are using a metal or silicone steamer basket, a deeper pot is fine. However, if you are using a bamboo steamer, opt for a shallower pot so you can easily access the basket.

Next, pour approximately one inch of water into the pot or pan. Ensure that the water does not touch the bottom of the steamer basket to avoid adding too much moisture to the food. This could cause it to become overcooked or mushy.

Now it's time to add your food to the steamer basket. For metal or silicone baskets, place your food and seasoning on top of the basket. Cover the pot with a lid and bring the water to a boil. Keep an eye on the food and check regularly until it is fully steamed. The cooking time will depend on the type of food you are preparing, so there is no standard rule to follow.

If you are using a bamboo steamer, you can add multiple layers of food to the basket. Place the food that will take the longest to cook, such as meat, in the bottom basket, and foods that cook more quickly, like vegetables, in the upper baskets. As with the other types of steamer baskets, check the food regularly to ensure it is cooked through but not overcooked.

Once your food is ready, it's time to remove it from the steamer. For collapsible metal steamer baskets or steamer racks, use utensils like a fork or tongs to take the food out. If your steamer basket has handles, you can lift the entire basket and food out together. With a bamboo steamer, simply lift the entire basket out.

Helpful tips for preparing food in a steamer saucepan:

• Avoid adding too much water. The goal is to steam your food, not boil it.
• Regularly check your food to prevent under or overcooking. Many vegetables only take a few minutes to steam fully.
• Ensure the lid of your pot is on tightly to retain steam and cook the food thoroughly.
• Enhance the flavour by adding herbs and spices. You can also use chicken or other broths instead of water for added taste.

Cooking the food

Cooking with a steamer saucepan is a great way to prepare healthy and tasty food. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use one:

Step 1: Prepare the Steamer Saucepan

First, get your steamer saucepan ready. This type of saucepan usually consists of two parts: a bottom saucepan for water and a top steamer compartment with holes for the food. Fill the bottom part with about an inch or two of water, depending on the food you're cooking and the recommended cooking time. The water level should not touch the steamer compartment or the food.

Step 2: Heat the Water

Place the saucepan on the stove and turn the heat to high. Let the water come to a rolling boil. This is important as it creates the steam that will cook your food.

Step 3: Prepare the Food

While the water is heating up, you can prepare your food. Steamer saucepans are great for cooking vegetables, proteins, and even desserts. Cut your food into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking. For delicate foods like fish, consider using a heat deflector to distribute the heat evenly.

Step 4: Add the Food to the Steamer

Once the water is boiling, it's time to add the food to the steamer compartment. Place the food in a single layer, leaving space between each piece to allow the steam to circulate. Don't overcrowd the steamer, as this can lead to uneven cooking.

Step 5: Cover and Steam

Cover the saucepan with a lid that fits snugly to trap the steam inside. Depending on what you're cooking, you'll want to steam your food for 5-20 minutes. For example, delicate foods like fish and vegetables may only need 4-6 minutes, while heartier foods like chicken and potatoes may take 8-12 minutes.

Step 6: Check for Doneness

Keep an eye on your food to ensure it doesn't overcook. Most vegetables will be ready when they have a brighter, more vivid colour. Meat and fish are done when they are no longer translucent and have turned opaque.

Step 7: Season and Serve

Once your food is steamed to perfection, remove it from the steamer and season it to your liking. A squeeze of lemon juice, a pinch of salt and pepper, or a tasty sauce can enhance the natural flavours of your steamed food. Serve your food while it's still warm and enjoy!

Cooking times

The cooking time will depend on the type of food you are steaming. For example, steaming vegetables will take less time than steaming meat.

If you are steaming vegetables, the cooking time will vary depending on the type of vegetable and how thick or large they are. As a general rule, most vegetables will be steamed in approximately 3 to 10 minutes. Most veggies will have a brighter, more vivid colour after steaming, which lets you know that they're ready.

For example, asparagus spears that are thin should steam in about four minutes, whereas thicker spears may take around five to six minutes. Broccoli will take about five minutes and will get darker in colour. Brussels sprouts will take about 10 minutes to steam. Carrots sliced 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) thick will steam in approximately six to eight minutes. Cauliflower florets will steam in about six minutes. Green beans will be steamed in approximately five minutes. Kale will take five to ten minutes. Peas steam rather quickly, generally only needing about three minutes on the stovetop. Zucchini slices should steam in about six or seven minutes, depending on how thinly they're sliced.

If you are steaming meat, the cooking time will depend on the type of meat and the thickness of the cut. As a general rule, most meats will take 10 to 15 minutes to steam.

It's important to keep an eye on the food in the steamer to make sure it does not overcook. You should also avoid removing the cover of the pan repeatedly during cooking, as this will cause the temperature to drop.

Cleaning the steamer saucepan

Cleaning your steamer saucepan is important to prevent a chalky white buildup, which is caused by mineral deposits from water. If you use your steamer saucepan daily, it's recommended to clean it monthly. If you use it less frequently, clean it thoroughly after each use.

• Unplug the steamer and allow it to cool down if it was recently used.
• Empty any water from the tank or saucepan into a sink or bucket.
• Fill the tank or saucepan with distilled white vinegar or cleaning vinegar. Avoid other types of vinegar as they may contain sediment.
• Let the vinegar sit for at least 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the amount of buildup. This will help break down limescale and mineral deposits.
• Plug in the steamer and set it to the highest setting.
• Point the nozzle or spout into the sink or bucket and turn it on until all the vinegar is expelled.
• Pour out any remaining vinegar and fill the tank or saucepan with distilled water.
• With the steamer still on high, expel all the water from the tank to remove any traces of vinegar and blast out loose mineral deposits.
• Allow the steamer to cool completely and ensure the water tank or saucepan is empty.
• Dry the components with a clean, lint-free cloth or microfiber towel. You can also air-dry them.
• Reassemble the steamer if you disassembled any parts.

If you're dealing with stubborn stains, especially in an aluminium steamer saucepan, you can try this alternative method:

• Cut a lemon into wedges and squeeze the juice into the saucepan, filling it about two-thirds full with water.
• Add the lemon rinds as well.
• Cover the saucepan with a lid and boil on high heat for about 10 minutes.
• Pour out the hot water and discard the lemons.
• Wash and rinse the saucepan with soap and water.

You can also use distilled white vinegar instead of lemon juice by adding 2 tablespoons to the saucepan and boiling it for 10 minutes.

Frequently asked questions