Creative Electric Steamer Recipes For Delicious Meals

Electric steamers are a great way to cook food without sacrificing taste or nutrient quality. They are a standalone appliance that can be used to cook a whole meal, with several layers, adding each layer of ingredients according to its cooking time. You can steam almost anything, from vegetables to meat and fish, and even desserts! Vegetables are a popular choice for steaming, as they retain more flavour and vitamins than boiling. Root vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, fennel and turnips can be steamed, as well as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and kale. Meat and fish can also be steamed, helping to maintain moisture levels better than baking or roasting. You can steam chicken, beef, lamb and poultry, as well as shellfish such as prawns, clams and mussels. For dessert, you could try a honey sponge cake or a steamed pudding.

Vegetables

Electric steamers are a great way to cook vegetables without losing their flavour, nutrients and texture. They are also one of the simplest ways to prepare your veggies. Here is a step-by-step guide to steaming vegetables in an electric steamer:

Step 1: Prepare the vegetables

Wash your vegetables thoroughly under cold water. Cut them into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. Smaller pieces steam faster than larger ones.

Step 2: Fill the steamer with water

Pour enough water into your steamer pot so it's just below the bottom of the steamer basket. Ensure water does not touch the bottom of the basket when it's inserted.

Step 3: Boil the water

Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to high. Wait for the water to reach a rolling boil.

Step 4: Insert the steamer basket

Carefully place the steamer basket into the pot. Water should start to produce steam quickly but should not come into direct contact with the vegetables.

Step 5: Add the vegetables

Distribute the vegetables evenly in the basket. Avoid overcrowding to allow steam to circulate freely around all pieces.

Step 6: Cover the pot

Secure the lid on the pot to trap steam inside. This will create an environment for the vegetables to cook evenly.

Step 7: Adjust the heat

Once the lid is on, reduce the heat to medium. Keeping the water at a simmer ensures continuous steam production without boiling over.

Step 8: Steam the vegetables

Cooking time varies depending on the type and size of your vegetables. Leafy greens may take as little as 2-3 minutes, while denser vegetables like carrots and potatoes might need up to 10-15 minutes.

Step 9: Check for doneness

Insert a fork into a piece of vegetable. If it enters easily, your vegetables are done. For firmer vegetables, extend the steaming time as needed.

Step 10: Remove the basket

Turn off the heat. Carefully remove the steamer basket from the pot. Use oven mitts or a towel to avoid steam burns.

Step 11: Serve immediately

Transfer the steamed vegetables to a serving dish. Season with salt, pepper, or your favourite herbs and spices to taste. Enjoy your perfectly steamed vegetables while they're warm.

Tips for seasoning:

Seasoning before steaming can enhance the flavour. A sprinkle of salt, pepper, or herbs goes a long way. You can also season after steaming if you prefer.

Technically, it’s possible to steam all vegetables. But some work much better for steaming than others. Good vegetables to steam include broccoli, spinach and other leafy greens, cauliflower, asparagus, carrots, green beans, small potatoes and artichokes.

Avoid steaming any large chunks of hard vegetables, such as potatoes, squash or celeriac.

Meat and fish

Electric steamers are a great way to cook meat and fish, as they maintain moisture levels better than baking or roasting.

Fish

Steaming is a great way to cook fish, as it's a fast, convenient, and healthy cooking method that produces tasty results. It's also a good way to cook fish if you want the flavours of the fish to come through without being overwhelmed by other seasonings.

You can steam just about any type of fish, but the most popular are trout and salmon. White fish fillets such as tilapia, cod, sea bass, hake, or snapper are also good options, as they steam quickly and evenly.

When steaming fish, it's important to note that cooking times will depend on the size and thickness of the fish. As a general rule, fish will take around 4-8 minutes to steam, but thicker fillets or steaks may take up to 10-12 minutes. You'll know the fish is done when it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature of the fish should reach 130-145°F when it's fully cooked.

Here's a simple recipe for steaming fish:

• Put water in the bottom of your steamer and turn it on.
• Cut the fish into smaller pieces if desired, and season with salt, pepper, and/or fresh or dried herbs.
• Place the fish on the steamer rack, making sure it's elevated above the water.
• Cover and steam for 4-8 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
• Serve with your choice of sides and enjoy!

Meat

While steaming is more commonly associated with fish and vegetables, it can also be used to cook meat. Tender cuts of beef and lamb can be steamed, resulting in juicy and moist meat. However, tougher cuts of meat may not fare as well.

When steaming meat, it's important to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature reaches a minimum of 140-160°F, depending on the type of meat. This is crucial to ensure food safety and to prevent undercooking.

• Cut the meat into even-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
• Add herbs and seasonings to the meat or the steaming water to enhance the flavour.
• Don't be afraid to open the lid and check on the meat from time to time. Just be sure to close it again to retain the heat and steam.

Eggs

Electric steamers are a great way to cook eggs, offering a more gentle cooking method that results in tender egg whites and creamier yolks. Plus, steamed eggs are much easier to peel than boiled eggs. Here's a guide to help you get started with steaming eggs:

Equipment:

You will need an electric steamer, or a pot with a steamer basket/insert. If you don't have a steamer basket, a small metal colander or sieve can work too, as long as you can cover the pot to prevent steam from escaping.

Preparing the Eggs:

Start by adding water to the pot or electric steamer. For a pot, you'll want to add about 1-2 inches of water, just enough to reach the bottom of the steamer basket. Then, bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.

While the water is heating up, get your eggs ready. The number of eggs you can steam at once will depend on the size of your pot or steamer and the size of the eggs. A medium-sized pot should fit about 6-10 normal-sized eggs in a single layer.

Steaming the Eggs:

Once the water is boiling, carefully place the eggs into the steamer basket/insert, being mindful of the hot steam. Cover the pot with a lid and start timing.

The steaming time will depend on how you like your eggs done. Here are some general guidelines:

• Soft-boiled eggs: 6 minutes
• Hard-boiled eggs with translucent and bright yolks: 10 minutes
• Fully cooked through hard-boiled eggs: 12-15 minutes

If you are stacking your eggs or cooking them in more than one layer, you may need to add a couple of minutes to the steaming time. It's also important to note that factors like the altitude of your location, the size of the eggs, and how cold they are at the start can affect the steaming time.

Cooling and Peeling:

After steaming, remove the eggs from the steamer and place them in a bowl of icy cold water or run cold water directly into the pan to quickly cool them down. This step is important to stop the cooking process and prevent overcooking. Let the eggs cool for at least a few minutes before peeling.

To peel the eggs, gently tap them all over to crack the shell, then remove the shell under a thin stream of running water. The water helps to get under the shell and lift it off easily.

Storage:

You can store shell-on cooked eggs in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or peeled eggs for up to 1 day.

So, there you have it! A simple and effective way to cook eggs using an electric steamer, resulting in perfectly cooked, easy-to-peel eggs every time.

Rice

Electric steamers are a convenient and efficient way to cook rice, ensuring perfectly cooked, fluffy rice every time. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to cook rice in an electric steamer:

Preparation

Before cooking rice in an electric steamer, it is essential to prepare the rice by measuring and rinsing it. Start by measuring the desired amount of rice using a measuring cup; a standard serving is usually 1 cup of rice. Rinse the rice with water to remove any excess starch and impurities. Use a strainer to drain the water effectively. Rinsing the rice helps remove excess starch, resulting in fluffier and less sticky rice. However, some types of rice, such as jasmine or basmati rice, may require pre-soaking instead of rinsing, so be sure to check the specific instructions for the variety of rice you are using.

Cooking with a Rice Cooking Bowl

Many electric steamers come with a rice cooking bowl, which has a solid base to hold the rice and an open top to allow steam to cook the rice. To use this method, measure the rice and water into the steamer's rice bowl, adding a pinch of salt. The standard measurement is a 1:2 ratio of rice to water, but this may vary depending on the type of rice and your desired texture. For example, brown rice typically requires more water and a longer cooking time. Fill the steamer's reservoir with water and assemble the compartments and drip tray as usual. Place the rice bowl inside the steamer compartment and cover it with the lid or another steamer compartment.

Cooking Directly in the Steamer Compartment

If you don't have a rice cooking bowl, you can cook the rice directly in a steamer compartment. This method eliminates the need to worry about the amount of liquid to use, as the rice will absorb moisture from the steam. Line the steamer compartment with cheesecloth, ensuring it is damp, and then pour the measured rice into the compartment, spreading it evenly.

Cooking Process

Whether using a rice cooking bowl or cooking directly in the steamer compartment, the cooking process is similar. Set the timer on your electric steamer according to the type of rice and follow the manufacturer's instructions. White rice typically cooks in 20-30 minutes, while brown rice may take 40-50 minutes. Close the lid tightly to retain steam and heat during the cooking process.

Serving

Once the steaming time is complete, carefully open the lid and remove the rice from the steamer. Let the rice rest for 5-10 minutes before fluffing it with a fork to separate the grains. Be careful not to press the rice too hard, as it may become sticky. Serve the fluffy rice hot, and enjoy!

Leeks

To steam leeks, start by rinsing them in warm water to remove any dirt. Then, trim off the roots and remove the tough outer leaves and the top of the leaves where they begin to darken. You should be left with just the white and light green parts of the leeks.

Next, cut the leeks into uniform slices. You can cut them into 2-by-1/2-inch strips or medium slices, or slice them lengthwise so they can lay flat while cooking. If you prefer smaller pieces, you can also cut them into smaller pieces, but keep in mind that they will cook faster.

Once your leeks are prepared, fill the base of your electric steamer with water, ensuring it does not exceed the maximum fill line. Add salt to the water to enhance the flavour of the leeks. Place the steamer basket into the base, add your prepared leeks, and cover with a lid.

Turn on your electric steamer and cook for around 8-10 minutes, or until the leeks are tender. Check the leeks for doneness by piercing them with a fork; if the fork pierces easily, they are ready.

You can serve steamed leeks on their own as a side dish, or add them to soups, salads, or other recipes. They go well with a vinegar-based dipping sauce or a tangy mustard vinaigrette.

Some tips for steaming leeks include:

• Soaking leeks before cooking can help remove dirt and debris and make them easier to cut.
• Adding herbs and spices like garlic powder or parsley can enhance the natural sweetness of leeks.
• Using stock instead of water in the steamer can add extra flavour.
• Steamed leeks can be frozen for later use.

Frequently asked questions