Delicious Foods Prepared In Commercial Pressure Steamers

Commercial pressure steamers are an increasingly popular choice for institutional kitchens, offering a cost-effective and efficient way to cook large volumes of food with minimal operator involvement. These steamers are ideal for cooking dense and starchy foods, such as juicy turkey and chicken, root vegetables, bread pudding, seafood, rice, grains, and eggs. They are also versatile, allowing for simultaneous cooking of various foods without flavour transfer. This makes them a valuable addition to busy kitchens, such as cafeterias, catering businesses, hotels, and large-scale restaurants, where speed, efficiency, and consistency are crucial.

Meat, poultry, and seafood

Commercial pressure steamers are an excellent choice for cooking meat, poultry, and seafood. They are ideal for preparing large quantities of food quickly and efficiently, retaining moisture, nutrients, and color. Here are some tips and guidelines for using a commercial pressure steamer for meat, poultry, and seafood:

Meats

Commercial pressure steamers are perfect for cooking various meats, including tough cuts like beef chuck and pork shoulder. The high pressure and temperature in the steamer break down connective tissues in these tougher cuts, resulting in tender, juicy meat. For example, you can use a pressure cooker to make pulled pork sandwiches, beef stroganoff, or meatball-stuffed pasta. The pressure cooker reduces the cooking time significantly, so you can achieve melt-in-your-mouth results in a fraction of the time compared to traditional cooking methods.

Poultry

Pressure steamers are also excellent for cooking poultry, such as chicken and turkey. The moist heat of the steamer ensures that the poultry remains juicy and tender. It is essential to note that different parts of the bird may have different cooking times, so you may need to adjust accordingly. Additionally, consider using the steamer to reheat pre-cooked poultry items to maintain their texture and flavor.

Seafood

Commercial pressure steamers are versatile and suitable for cooking various seafood items, including shrimp, fish, and even shellfish. The gentle cooking environment ensures that seafood stays moist and flaky without overcooking. Similar to poultry, you can also use the steamer to reheat pre-cooked seafood dishes, such as crab cakes or shrimp cocktails, to retain their optimal texture and taste.

Best Practices

When using a commercial pressure steamer for meat, poultry, or seafood, consider the following:

• Cut the protein into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking.
• Use the steamer for large batches to optimize efficiency and reduce cooking time.
• Experiment with different seasonings and marinades to enhance the flavor of the protein.
• Consider the cooking time based on the type and size of the protein to avoid overcooking.
• Utilize the steamer for reheating, as it helps maintain the food's quality.

Vegetables and fruit

Commercial pressure steamers are an excellent choice for cooking vegetables and fruit, offering a gentle and even cooking process that helps retain nutrients, flavours, colours, and textures. They are also energy-efficient, cost-effective, and allow for large quantities of food to be cooked quickly.

Types of Commercial Pressure Steamers

Commercial pressure steamers come in two main types: floor models and countertop models. Floor models are constructed for heavy use and are ideal for high-volume environments, while countertop models are more compact and economical, perfect for smaller spaces. Both types can be powered by electricity, steam coil, direct steam, or gas.

Benefits of Using a Commercial Pressure Steamer for Vegetables and Fruit

The high-pressure steam environment of these appliances cooks vegetables and fruits quickly, preserving their moisture, nutrients, and flavour. Commercial pressure steamers are also versatile, allowing you to cook a wide variety of vegetables and fruits, including root vegetables, leafy greens, and even denser foods like potatoes and winter squashes.

Best Practices for Cooking Vegetables and Fruits

When cooking vegetables and fruits in a commercial pressure steamer, it is essential to consider the size and density of the produce. For example, denser vegetables like potatoes or carrots may require a longer cooking time or higher pressure settings. Additionally, to ensure even cooking, cut the vegetables or fruits into evenly sized pieces.

Tips for Optimising the Use of Commercial Pressure Steamers

To get the most out of your commercial pressure steamer when cooking vegetables and fruits, consider the following:

• Utilise the different compartments or shelves available to cook multiple items simultaneously, maximising efficiency.
• Experiment with different pressure and temperature settings to find the optimal conditions for cooking specific vegetables or fruits.
• Regularly clean and maintain your steamer, including descaling to prevent the buildup of limescale, which can impact performance and longevity.
• Consider using steamers with special features like auto-refill, built-in timers, or cook-and-hold modes, which can further streamline the cooking process.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively use a commercial pressure steamer to cook vegetables and fruits, taking advantage of its ability to retain nutrients, flavours, and colours while also benefiting from its efficiency and versatility.

Rice, grains, and bread

Rice

Rice is a great food to cook in a commercial pressure steamer, as it can be cooked to perfection: fluffy, aromatic, and full of flavor. The key to achieving this is to select the right type of rice and use the correct measurements and ratios. Jasmine rice, Basmati rice, and short-grain sushi rice are all excellent options for steaming due to their unique textures and flavors. It is important to rinse the rice thoroughly to remove any excess starch that can make it mushy.

For every cup of rice, use one-and-a-half cups of water. If you prefer softer rice, you can add an additional 1/4 cup of water. Fill the bottom of the steamer with water, ensuring it falls below the steaming basket. Place the soaked and drained rice into a steaming basket or a shallow pan that fits into the commercial steamer. Cover the rice with a lid or aluminum foil to create a tight seal, preventing steam from escaping. Set the steamer to medium heat and let it cook for around 20 minutes for white rice, but note that the cooking time may vary depending on the type of rice and steamer used.

Once the rice is cooked, allow it to rest for a few minutes before fluffing it with a fork to separate the grains and prevent clumping. This resting period ensures that each grain is tender and fluffy. Avoid stirring the rice during the cooking process, as this can lead to uneven cooking and a less desirable texture.

Grains

Grains, like rice, can be cooked perfectly in a commercial pressure steamer, but they require precise amounts of time and liquid. Too much or too little can result in soupy, gummy rice or hard, carbonized rocks. The cooking time will depend on the type of grain and the specific instructions for your steamer.

Bread

Commercial pressure steamers are ideal for cooking bread and tortillas, as they provide short, hot blasts of steam that help to heat and cook bread quickly and evenly. Pre-cooked bread can be placed in the steamer and heated to serving temperature in a matter of moments, resulting in a better product texture than holding bulk volumes of bread at serving temperature throughout the day.

Eggs and desserts

A commercial pressure steamer is a great way to cook eggs. The steam is a much gentler way of cooking eggs than boiling, reducing the risk of cracking. The gentle cooking method also means that the eggs are easier to peel, and the whites are tender.

To steam eggs, fill a saucepan with around an inch of water and place a steamer basket inside. Bring the water to a boil, add the eggs to the steamer basket, cover, and continue to cook for 6 minutes for soft-boiled eggs or 12 minutes for hard-boiled. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can simply place the eggs in the bottom of the saucepan. If you want to serve the eggs cold, place them in a bowl of ice water after cooking.

Desserts that can be made in a commercial pressure steamer include bread pudding, a dense and starchy food that is well-suited to the pressure-steaming method. Other desserts that can be steamed include custards, steamed puddings, and steamed cakes.

Soups, stews, and casseroles

When cooking soups in a pressure cooker, you can achieve a slow-cooked flavor in a fraction of the time. For example, a soup that would usually take 6-8 hours in a slow cooker can be cooked in just 8 minutes in a pressure cooker. This is because pressure cookers can reach hotter temperatures than other types of steamers, allowing them to cook food faster.

Similarly, stews that would traditionally take a long time to cook can be prepared much more quickly in a pressure cooker. For example, a beef stew that would normally take hours to cook can be prepared in just 20 minutes in a pressure cooker, with the meat becoming fall-apart tender.

Casseroles, which typically involve a combination of meat, vegetables, and other ingredients baked together in a dish, can also be cooked in a commercial pressure steamer. While specific instructions may vary depending on the type of casserole being prepared, the general process involves placing all the ingredients in the pressure cooker and following the recommended cooking time and temperature.

When using a commercial pressure steamer, it is important to consider the size and type of steamer that best suits your needs, as well as the heat source, which can be electricity, steam coil, direct steam, or gas. Additionally, the number of compartments and pans can vary, so choosing a model with the appropriate capacity and flexibility is essential.

Frequently asked questions