Steaming Under Pressure: The Power Of Pressure Cookers

Pressure cookers can be used for steaming food. This is a healthy way to prepare food, as it preserves vitamins and minerals, and it is also quicker than traditional cooking methods. To steam food in a pressure cooker, fill the pot with a minimum amount of water, add the food to be cooked, seal the lid, and heat the pot for the regular duration.

The advantages of using a pressure cooker to steam food

Using a pressure cooker to steam food has many advantages. Here are some of the key benefits:

Preservation of Nutrients

Steaming is a gentle cooking method that helps preserve vitamins and minerals. This ensures that your food retains its nutritional value, making it a healthier option compared to traditional cooking methods.

Reduced Cooking Time

Pressure cookers significantly reduce cooking time. They can cook food up to ten times faster than conventional methods. This makes them highly efficient and convenient, especially when you're short on time.

Ease of Use and Control

Pressure cookers are easy to use. The steam regulator allows you to precisely control the cooking time, ensuring your dishes are cooked to perfection. You can also steam multiple foods simultaneously, as long as they have similar cooking times.

Versatility

Pressure cookers can handle a wide range of ingredients, from vegetables and meat to fish, pulses, and even desserts. This makes them extremely versatile and eliminates the need for multiple specialized pieces of equipment in your kitchen.

Energy Efficiency

Using a pressure cooker for steaming consumes less energy compared to other cooking methods. This not only saves you money on energy bills but also makes it a more environmentally friendly option.

Convenience and Safety

Steaming in a pressure cooker is a hands-off cooking method. Once the food is inside, you don't need to supervise it closely, unlike stovetop cooking. Additionally, the enclosed steam ensures optimal cooking results and reduces the risk of accidental burns from hot oil or steam.

How to steam food in a pressure cooker

Yes, you can steam food in a pressure cooker. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Firstly, fill the pressure cooker with water. The amount of water required will depend on the size of your cooker. Check your manual for the minimum amount, which is usually around 1 to 3 cups of water. You can also use stock or broth to add flavour.

Next, add your food to the pressure cooker. If you are steaming vegetables, meat, or fish, place them in a steamer basket or on a trivet/rack above the water. For smaller foods, you can place them in a bowl or on a plate on top of the trivet. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use a heat-proof bowl that sits above the water line, or you can use rolled-up balls of tin foil to rest a plate or bowl on.

Now, secure the lid on the pressure cooker and set the pressure valve to "Sealing" mode. Select the cooking program and time. The “Steam” function is usually a preset for high pressure, but you can also manually select "Pressure Cook" or "Manual" on HIGH pressure.

When the steaming time is up, press cancel and release the pressure using the "Quick Release" method. Open the pressure cooker and carefully remove the food.

You can steam a variety of foods in a pressure cooker, including vegetables, chicken, fish, potatoes, eggs, and fruit. Steaming is a healthy and gentle way to cook food, preserving vitamins and minerals. It is also a quick and easy way to cook, with pressure cookers often reducing cooking time compared to traditional methods.

The difference between pressure cooking and steaming

Pressure cooking and steaming are two different methods of cooking food. However, you can steam your food in a pressure cooker, and you can pressure steam your food in the same pot, so long as it's sealed tightly enough.

Steaming

Steaming is when you cook your food with steam. This can be done in a pressure cooker or a steamer. Steaming is a healthy and gentle way to prepare food, as it preserves vitamins and minerals. It is also suitable for a wide variety of foods, including meat, fish, vegetables, eggs, and even desserts.

Pressure Cooking

Pressure cooking is another reliable and popular alternative to traditional stovetop cooking. It is much faster and more effective than steaming, as it cooks at a higher pressure and temperature. Pressure cooking is also more versatile, as it can be used with a much wider range of ingredients and recipes. For example, you can cook soups, rice, various meats, and pulses in a pressure cooker, whereas most consumer steamers are designed primarily for cooking vegetables.

The Bottom Line

There isn't a "best" option between the two, as it depends on what you're planning to do. However, for its versatility, increased speed, and ease of creating entire dishes, the pressure cooker is a great option for any home kitchen.

Foods that can be steamed in a pressure cooker

Steaming is a healthy and gentle way to prepare food, and a pressure cooker provides the best solution as it encloses steam for optimal cooking results. Here are some foods that can be steamed in a pressure cooker:

Vegetables

Steaming is an excellent way to cook vegetables as it helps retain their flavour and nutrients. Most vegetables can be steamed, including asparagus, green beans, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, corn, potatoes, and frozen mixed vegetables.

Meat

Meats such as chicken, pot roast, and ground beef cook well under pressure. For chicken, steaming is a quick and convenient way to prepare shredded chicken for sandwiches or recipes requiring pre-cooked chicken.

Fish

Fish can be tricky to cook in a pressure cooker as it can easily overcook. Therefore, gentle steaming is a better approach to ensure it is cooked perfectly.

Eggs

Steaming eggs in the pressure cooker is a convenient way to make hard-boiled eggs, which take just about 5 minutes.

Fruits

Whole fruits like apples and pears can be steamed directly on a trivet, or chopped fruit can be placed in a heat-proof bowl on the trivet or in a steamer basket.

Rice and Pasta

Rice and pasta can also be steamed in a pressure cooker by placing them in a steamer insert or a colander inside the pot.

Desserts

Believe it or not, you can even make desserts like cheesecake or custard using a pressure cooker!

Tips for steaming food in a pressure cooker

Steaming food in a pressure cooker is a healthy and gentle way to prepare food. The pressure cooker encloses steam for optimal cooking results, and it's quicker than other steaming methods. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of steaming food in your pressure cooker:

Use the right amount of water

Fill the pot with the minimum amount of water required for your pressure cooker (check the "Min" mark or your manual). You can also use stock or broth to add flavour. Avoid using too much water, as you want to steam the food, not boil it.

Use a steamer basket or insert

Place a steamer basket or perforated insert inside the pressure cooker. This will hold your food above the water level, ensuring it steams rather than boils. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use the metal trivet or rack that comes with some pressure cookers, or place the food on a plate or in a bowl on top of the trivet.

Prepare your food

You can steam a wide variety of foods in a pressure cooker, including vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, fruit, rice, and pasta. Cut larger items into smaller pieces to ensure even cooking. For foods that may fall apart, such as fish or potatoes, steaming is a gentler option than boiling.

Set the cooker

Place the food in the steamer basket or insert, then set the cooking stage. Set the cooker to "Steam cooking" or the equivalent setting, and adjust the time as needed. Remember that steaming does not build up pressure, so you can open the cooker at any time.

Steam multiple foods

You can steam multiple foods at the same time in a pressure cooker, as long as they have similar cooking times. Place the foods separately in the steamer insert or in colanders.

Quick release

When the steaming time is up, perform a quick release to open the pressure cooker and remove the food. This is especially important when cooking vegetables or seafood, as a natural release could significantly increase the cooking time and overcook your food.

Frequently asked questions