Steaming Veggies: Using A Stovetop Steamer Basket

Steamer baskets are a great way to cook food in a healthy way, without the need for oil or fat. They are also a convenient way to reheat precooked or frozen food. You can steam almost anything, from vegetables to chicken, shellfish, rice, and even eggs. There are different types of steamer baskets, such as stainless steel, bamboo, and silicone, but they all have similar functionality. Here's a simple guide on how to use a steamer basket on a stove:

First, find a pot or saucepan that fits your steamer basket snugly. Make sure the steamer basket doesn't tip over. For metal or silicone steamer baskets, a deeper pot is fine, but for bamboo steamer baskets, a shallow pot is better.

Next, pour about one inch of water into the pot. Ensure that the water doesn't touch the bottom of the steamer basket to prevent the food from getting too mushy.

Then, place your food in the steamer basket. For metal or silicone steamer baskets, put the food on top of the basket. For bamboo steamer baskets, you can put multiple layers of food, with the food that takes the longest to cook, such as meat, in the bottom basket, and quicker-cooking foods like vegetables in the upper baskets.

Cover the pot with a lid and bring the water to a boil. Let the food steam until it's cooked to your desired doneness. The steaming time will vary depending on the type of food. For example, vegetables usually take 5-15 minutes, while meat can take 10-30 minutes.

Finally, remove the steamer basket from the pot using utensils like tongs or a fork, or by lifting the entire basket out if it has handles.

With these simple steps, you'll be steaming food like a pro in no time!

How much water to use

The amount of water you use in your steamer basket depends on the type of steamer basket you have and the type of food you are steaming.

For metal or silicone steamer baskets, you should bring 1 to 2 inches of water to a boil in a small saucepan. The water level should not touch the bottom of the steamer basket, as this will cause too much moisture to reach the food, and it will not steam properly.

For bamboo steamer baskets, the bottom rim of the basket should be submerged in water, but the bottom floor of the basket should stay dry. This allows the basket to heat up and produce steam without getting the food soggy.

If you are using a collapsible steamer basket, the water level should be 1 to 2 inches, as this is the typical height of these steamers.

How to prepare the food

Preparing food in a steamer basket is simple. The first step is to select a pot or pan that fits your steamer basket. The basket should fit snugly inside, and the depth of the pot will depend on the type of steamer basket you are using. For metal or silicone steamer baskets, a deeper pot is fine, but for bamboo steamer baskets, a shallow pot is preferable so you can easily access the basket.

Next, pour water into the pot. You'll want to add enough so that the water doesn't touch the bottom of the steamer basket. This is important because if the water touches the basket, your food will boil rather than steam. As a general rule, add about one inch of water to the pot, but this will depend on the height of your steamer basket. For example, if your steamer basket is two inches high, you can add one to two inches of water to the pot.

Now you're ready to add your food to the steamer basket. If you're using a bamboo steamer basket, you can add multiple layers of food. Put the food that takes the longest to cook, such as meat, in the bottom basket, and foods that cook more quickly, like vegetables, in the upper baskets. For metal or silicone steamer baskets, place your food and seasoning on top of the basket.

Cover the pot with a lid and bring the water to a boil. Check on your food regularly to avoid overcooking. The time it takes to cook will depend on the type of food you are steaming. For example, vegetables usually take 5-15 minutes, meat takes 10-30 minutes, and seafood takes 5-15 minutes.

Once your food is cooked to your liking, remove the steamer basket from the pot. If your basket has handles, you can simply lift the entire basket out. Otherwise, use utensils like a fork or tongs to remove the food from the pot.

How to place the basket on the stove

To place the basket on the stove, start by selecting a pot or saucepan that fits your steamer basket. It is recommended that the steamer basket fits snugly inside the pot or pan. The depth of the pot depends on the type of steamer basket you are using. If you are using a metal or silicone steamer basket, a deeper pot is fine. However, if you are using a bamboo steamer basket, opt for a shallow pot so you can easily access the steamer basket.

Next, pour water into the pot. The amount of water depends on the size of your pot and the type of food you are steaming. Generally, you should pour about 1-2 inches of water into the pot. Ensure that the bottom of the steamer basket is not in contact with the water, as this will boil your food instead of steaming it.

Now you are ready to place the steamer basket in the pot. If your steamer basket has a handle, use it and wear cooking gloves as you may burn yourself from the steam. Be careful when opening the pot.

Finally, cover the pot with a lid and let the contents steam. The steaming time depends on what you are cooking.

How long to steam for

The length of steaming time depends on the type of food you are cooking. For example, most vegetables will steam in 5 to 15 minutes, whereas fish takes 10 to 15 minutes, and meat will take 10 to 30 minutes on average.

• Asparagus: 3 to 5 minutes
• Beets: 10 to 15 minutes
• Broccoli: 8 to 10 minutes
• Carrots: 10 to 15 minutes
• Cauliflower: 8 to 10 minutes
• Chicken: 10 to 20 minutes
• Collard greens: 5 to 7 minutes
• Dumplings: 10 minutes
• Eggs: 8 to 15 minutes
• Green beans: 3 to 5 minutes
• Kale: 5 to 7 minutes
• Pork belly: 2 hours
• Potatoes: 10 to 15 minutes
• Seafood: 10 minutes per 1 inch (2.5 cm) of thickness

It's important to note that personal preferences vary when it comes to the desired doneness of food. If you like your vegetables extremely soft, allow them more time to steam, and if you prefer them al dente, steam them for a shorter period.

Additionally, the size and amount of food in the steamer basket will also affect the steaming time. Smaller pieces and a smaller amount of food will cook more quickly than larger pieces and a fuller basket.

How to clean the basket

To clean your bamboo steamer, start by washing it with warm, soapy water. You can use a sponge or cloth to gently scrub the steamer. Rinse the basket thoroughly, ensuring that there is no soap residue left on the bamboo.

Next, dry your steamer. You can either let it air dry for at least 48 hours or use a dish towel to blot excess moisture, then let it air dry for a shorter period. It is important to ensure that your steamer is completely dry before storing it to prevent mould and mildew.

You can also use a black tea bag or lemon to remove any tough grime and odours. Gently rub the surface of the steamer with a soaked tea bag or a lemon wedge. This will help to remove any fishy smells if you've cooked fish in your steamer.

Additionally, you can use a nylon scrubber to gently remove any caked-on bits of food. Do not use steel wool or other abrasive cleaning tools, as these can damage the bamboo.

Finally, after each washing, coat the steamer with a light layer of cooking oil, such as vegetable or olive oil. This will help to keep the bamboo from drying out.

Frequently asked questions