Steaming Delights: Exploring The Versatile World Of Steamer Cooking

Steaming is a healthy and delicious way to cook a wide variety of foods. It is a simple cooking method that requires minimal effort and equipment. All you need is a steamer basket or a pot with a steaming insert. Steaming is a great way to cook vegetables, seafood, rice, dumplings, eggs, and even cakes. It is a healthy cooking option as it preserves the nutritional content of food, especially heat-sensitive vitamins and minerals. Additionally, steaming can aid with digestion and weight management.

Vegetables

You can steam vegetables in a microwave, on the stove, or in a steamer basket. The standard options are usually carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli, but you can also steam leafy greens, peas, squash, potatoes, asparagus, kale, and more.

When steaming vegetables, it is important to note that you can add seasonings and spices to the water to enhance the flavour. Additionally, you can add a lemon pepper-garlic butter sauce to your veggies before they finish cooking for an extra flavour boost.

Steaming is a healthy cooking method that requires minimal effort and preserves the nutritional content of the vegetables. It is a great option for those looking for a quick, easy, and nutritious way to prepare their meals.

Seafood

Steamer Clams

Steamer clams, or steamed soft shell clams, are a New England speciality. They are fun to eat and delicious. To cook them, place the clams in a bucket and cover them with several inches of sea water or salty water. Let them sit for several hours in a cool place, preferably overnight. The clams will discharge any sand or dirt while they sit in the water, so the water may become murky. You can change the water if you prefer. If you don't have time to let the clams soak for hours, just cover them with salt water in a large bowl and gently swirl the water around with your fingers for half a minute. If they release sand or grit, dump out the water and rinse the clams again.

When you are ready to cook the clams, put about an inch of water, beer, or stout in the bottom of a tall, large pot. Place a steamer rack at the bottom of the pot and carefully put the clams on the rack. Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil. Let the clams cook in the steam for about 5 to 10 minutes, until the shells are wide open, then remove the pot from the heat. Any clams that didn't open should be discarded. Let the clams cool for a couple of minutes before serving.

Fish Fillets

You can steam fish fillets in a bamboo steamer or an electric steamer. To do so, heat a pot of boiling water on the stove, filling the pot about halfway with water. Place a lid on the pot. The bamboo steamer should fit snugly on top of the pot, ensuring that the bottom of the steamer doesn't touch the water.

Sprinkle both sides of the fillets with salt and pepper, and lay them on a heatproof plate that will fit inside your steamer. You can also add aromatics such as lemon, chilli, and ginger. Place the plate inside the steamer basket and set it on top of the pot of boiling water. Steam the fish over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until it is opaque and cooked throughout.

Whole Fish

You can also steam a whole fish in a bamboo or electric steamer, as long as it fits. To do so, fill the electric steamer with water and plug it in. Season the fish with salt and pepper and cut diagonal slashes across the fish. Lay the fish in a steamer tray and season it with aromatics such as ginger. Cover the steamer tray and set the timer for 8 to 9 minutes, steaming the fish until it flakes easily.

Crab Legs

Pre-cooked crab legs can be reheated in a steamer. Simply add them to the steamer basket over some boiling water and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, or until they are completely reheated.

Rice and grains

Lentils are another grain that can be steamed. For every cup of dried lentils, use two parts of water. You can enhance the flavour by adding seasonings like bay leaves, spices, and garlic cloves to the water before steaming.

Additionally, you can also steam other grains like quinoa and barley. The process is similar to cooking rice, where you add the desired amount of grain and water according to the recommended ratio and let the steamer do the work.

Steaming is a healthy and convenient way to prepare rice and grains, preserving nutrients and requiring minimal effort.

Meat

Steaming is a moist heat cooking method that is perfect for cooking meat. It is a gentle cooking method that does not require any fat or oil, making it a healthier option. Steaming is also a very effective way to cook meat, as it helps retain moisture, natural juices, and flavours.

When steaming meat, it is important to choose a suitable cut. Opt for cuts that are tender and have some marbling. Good choices include sirloin, ribeye, or tenderloin. Remember to trim any excess fat from the meat before steaming.

To prepare the meat for steaming, cut it into thin slices to ensure even and quick cooking. You can then marinate the meat with your preferred seasonings. A combination of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil makes for a flavourful marinade.

Once your meat is ready, set up your steaming equipment. You can use a traditional bamboo steamer or a stainless steel steamer basket placed over a pot of boiling water. Ensure there is enough water in the pot, but be careful that it doesn't touch the bottom of the steamer basket.

Now, you can arrange the marinated meat slices in a single layer on the steamer basket, ensuring they don't touch each other. Cover the steamer with a lid and let the meat cook. The cooking time will depend on the type of meat and the thickness of the slices. As a general guideline, thinner slices of meat may take around 5-8 minutes, while thicker cuts might require 10-15 minutes. For beef, a safe internal temperature is 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare, 160°F (71°C) for medium, and 170°F (77°C) for well-done.

Finally, once the meat is cooked to your desired level of doneness, it's time to plate and serve. Steamed meat goes well with a side of steamed vegetables, rice, or noodles. You can also incorporate it into stir-fries, salads, or wraps.

Eggs

Steaming is a great way to cook eggs, and it's an effective alternative to boiling or frying. Here's everything you need to know about steaming eggs, from the benefits of this cooking method to the different techniques you can use.

Benefits of Steaming Eggs

Steaming is a gentle cooking method that offers several advantages over traditional boiling or frying. One of the main benefits is that steamed eggs are much easier to peel than boiled eggs. The hot steam permeates the egg shell, creating an air pocket that makes the shell separate more easily from the cooked egg white. This results in perfectly peeled eggs with minimal effort and no unsightly bumps or indentations.

Another advantage of steaming is that it cooks eggs more evenly and gently, reducing the risk of cracking compared to dropping them into simmering water. The gentle cooking environment also produces a more tender egg white and a creamier yolk, enhancing the overall texture and taste of the egg.

Techniques for Steaming Eggs

There are several techniques you can use to steam eggs, depending on your desired outcome and serving style. Here are some of the most common methods:

Steamed Hard-Boiled Eggs

This technique is perfect for making easy-to-peel "hard-boiled" eggs with tender whites and creamy yolks. Here's how to do it:

• Add about 1 inch of water to a pot and place a steamer basket inside.
• Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Gently place the eggs in the steamer basket, making sure they are in a single layer.
• Cover the pot and steam for 6-15 minutes, depending on your desired doneness. For soft-boiled eggs, steam for 6 -8 minutes. For hard-boiled eggs with a bright yellow yolk, steam for 10 -12 minutes. For fully cooked through hard-boiled eggs, steam for 13-15 minutes.
• While the eggs are cooking, prepare an ice bath by filling a bowl with ice and water.
• Once the eggs are done, immediately transfer them to the ice bath to stop the cooking process and cool them down.
• To peel the eggs, gently tap and crack the shell all over, then remove it under a thin stream of running water.

Soft-Steamed Eggs

For perfectly cooked whites with warm, liquid yolks, try this soft-steaming technique:

• Use a metal steamer basket to suspend the eggs above 1/2 inch of boiling water.
• Steam the eggs for about 6 1/2 minutes for a soft-cooked egg with a runny yolk.
• Immediately chill the eggs in an ice bath to stop the cooking process.

Steamed Scrambled Eggs

For fluffy and sponge-like scrambled eggs, similar to those found in a classic egg sandwich, try this technique:

• Whisk eggs gently with milk, avoiding creating bubbles, as you would for traditional scrambled eggs.
• Pour the egg mixture into a greased walled baking pan.
• Cover the pan with foil and place it in a larger pan filled with 1/2 inch of water.
• Steam-bake in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes.
• Slice the steamed scrambled eggs into appropriate serving sizes.

Asian-Style Steamed Egg Custard

Many Asian cultures have savory variations of steamed egg custard, often served in single-serving bowls. This technique produces a pillowy soft texture that cradles any added ingredients like chives, mushrooms, shrimp, or other pairings. Here's how to make it:

• Whisk eggs with milk, as you would for scrambled eggs.
• Pour the egg mixture into heat-friendly bowls.
• Place the bowls in a steamer on the stovetop or in the oven, following the same instructions as for the oven-steamed eggs above.
• Cook until the custard is set around the edges but still jiggles slightly in the middle, about 10-15 minutes in a steamer or 12-17 minutes in the oven.

With these techniques, you can now enjoy perfectly steamed eggs in a variety of styles, from classic hard-boiled eggs to creamy custard. So, the next time you're wondering what to cook in your steamer, don't forget about eggs!

Frequently asked questions