Steam Power: Cooking Delicate Foods Perfectly

Steaming is an ancient cooking technique that uses hot steam to cook food. It is considered a healthy cooking method as it helps retain the nutrition, colour and texture of food. It is also a versatile technique that can be applied to almost any cuisine.

Steaming is particularly useful for cooking delicate foods such as seafood and shellfish, as well as vegetables, meats, poultry, eggs, and even desserts. The moist heat of steaming is ideal for foods that need to be soft and silken, rather than crunchy or caramelised.

There are several ways to steam food, from using a food steamer or a wok to a simple pot with a lid. Steamers can be made of bamboo or metal, with bamboo steamers being more traditional and metal steamers being more modern. Metal steamers are easy to set up and clean, but bamboo steamers are preferred for steamed buns and cakes as they do not collect condensation.

Steaming is a gentle and straightforward cooking method that is worth incorporating into one's culinary repertoire.

Steaming food is a healthy cooking method

Benefits of Steaming

Steaming is a versatile technique that can be applied to almost any cuisine and a wide variety of food items. It is a particularly good way to cook vegetables, meats, and fish. Here are some of the benefits of steaming food:

• Nutrient preservation: Steaming helps retain the natural vitamins and minerals present in food. A 2007 USDA comparison between steaming and boiling vegetables showed that steaming reduced folic acid by 15% compared to 35% when boiling.
• Improved digestion: Steamed food is easy to digest and requires less energy for digestion, making it easier on the stomach.
• Weight management: Steamed food is often low in fat and calories, making it a great option for those looking to manage their weight.
• No added fat or sodium: Steaming does not require the addition of fat or sodium, which are often used in other cooking methods such as boiling.
• Fast and energy-efficient: Steaming can be faster and more energy-efficient than boiling as it requires less water and takes advantage of the excellent thermodynamic heat transfer properties of steam.
• Moist texture: The food is kept separate from the boiling water but has direct contact with the steam, resulting in a moist texture.
• Reheating food: A steamer can be used to reheat food instead of a microwave, preventing food from drying out.

How to Steam Food

There are several ways to steam food, and it can be done with or without a steamer. Here are some common methods:

• Food steamer: This is a kitchen appliance made specifically for cooking food with steam. It is usually a circular container made of metal, wood, or bamboo with a lid.
• Wok: Food can also be steamed in a wok by placing it on a metal frame over boiling water.
• Pot with a lid: A simple pot with a lid can be used for steaming, especially for reheating food. A heat-proof dish is placed inside the pot on a metal steam rack or a clean metal can to prop it up above the water.
• Stainless steel steamer: This is a tiered steamer that allows for cooking multiple levels of food at once. It is easy to set up and clean, but condensation can collect on the lid and drip onto the food.
• Bamboo steamer: Bamboo steamers are similar to stainless steel steamers but do not collect condensation. However, they require more attention as the water level must be monitored to prevent the bottom rim from scorching.

Steam cooking is versatile

Steaming is a particularly good method for cooking delicate foods, such as dumplings, dim sum, and white fish. It is also ideal for cooking tough vegetables, like artichokes and potatoes, making them tender and moist.

Steaming is a healthy cooking technique. It requires little to no oil, and helps food retain its nutrients, colour, and texture. It is also a fast and energy-efficient way to cook, as it requires less water than boiling.

There are several ways to steam food, and it doesn't always require a steamer basket. You can use a metal or bamboo steamer basket, a microwave, an Instant Pot, a collapsible steamer basket, or a Taiwanese plug-in steamer. Alternatively, you can steam food in a pot or wok with a lid and a heat-proof dish, or cook 'en papillote' by wrapping food and liquid in parchment paper or foil and placing it in the oven or on a grill.

Steam ovens and steamers are available

Traditional Steamers

Steaming is a versatile cooking technique that has been used for thousands of years and is particularly popular in Asian cuisines. It involves using hot steam to cook food, either in a food steamer or a wok. The classic food steamers are made of bamboo or metal (stainless steel or aluminium) and have multiple tiers for cooking different foods simultaneously. Bamboo steamers are favoured as they do not collect condensation, preventing water from dripping onto the food. Metal steamers, on the other hand, can be easier to set up and clean.

Steam Ovens

Steam ovens are modern appliances that use steam to cook food instead of hot air. They work by heating water in a built-in boiler to 212 degrees Fahrenheit, generating steam that fills the oven cavity. Steam ovens offer faster cooking times and can produce healthier, more nutritious food by preserving vitamins and minerals. They are also excellent for reheating food without drying it out. There are two main types of steam ovens:

• Steam Ovens: These use only steam for cooking and do not brown food.
• Combination Steam and Convection Ovens: These ovens combine steam cooking with convection baking, allowing for browning and steaming in the same appliance.

Steam ovens are available as countertop models or built-in units, with prices ranging from $500 to $5,000. Built-in models are more expensive but save valuable counter space.

Other Steam Cooking Options

In addition to the traditional steamers and modern steam ovens, there are a few other options for steam cooking:

• Instant Pot: This popular kitchen appliance can be used for steaming various foods, from egg custards to chicken and vegetables.
• Taiwanese Plug-In Steamer: The Tatung steamer is a simple plug-in steamer with an inner and outer pot, perfect for braising, incubating yogurt, or cooking proteins and vegetables.
• Microwave Ovens: Some modern microwaves include a structure to cook food with steam vapour, providing similar results to stove-top steaming.

Steaming is a gentle cooking method

Steaming is an indirect cooking method that uses hot steam generated from boiling water to cook food. The steam carries heat to the nearby food, cooking it without submerging it in water. This results in a moist texture and helps food retain its nutrition, colour, and texture.

Steaming is a gentle way to cook delicate foods and is ideal for cooking seafood, shellfish, and vegetables. It is also suitable for cooking meats and poultry, although these foods are less commonly steamed in Western cuisine.

There are several different ways to steam food, including using a food steamer, a wok, or a pot with a lid and a heat-proof dish. Steam can also be generated using a microwave or oven.

The key to successful steaming is understanding what is happening and the intended outcome. Steam cooks food gently and softly in a moist environment, making tough foods tender and moist while cooking delicate foods more gently than pan-frying or roasting.

One of the benefits of steaming is that it does not require added fats or oils, which can help reduce calories and make it a lighter cooking option. However, this also means that steamed foods can be under-seasoned and taste bland, so it is important to ensure there are plenty of flavours in and around the food as it cooks.

Steaming is a simple and convenient cooking method that can produce perfectly cooked and tender food. It is a gentle and healthy way to cook, making it a popular choice for cooks around the world.

Steam cooking is an old technique

Steam cooking is an ancient technique that has been used for thousands of years. In China's Yellow River Valley, steam cookers made of stoneware have been found dating back to 5000 BCE. Steam pits used for cooking in the American Southwest date back about 5,000 years, and steam cooking in Gunma Prefecture, Japan, dates back to the Stone Age.

Steaming is a gentle method of cooking that uses hot steam generated from boiling water to cook food. The food is kept separate from the boiling water but has direct contact with the steam, resulting in a moist texture. This is a versatile technique that can be applied to almost any cuisine and is considered a healthy way to cook vegetables, meats, and fish. It is also an excellent way to retain the nutritional content, colour, and texture of food.

Steaming is especially prevalent in East Asian cuisine, with the two main classic steamers being the ancient bamboo steamer and the modern metal steamer. Bamboo steamers are excellent for cooking delicate foods as they absorb condensation and prevent water from dripping onto the food. Metal steamers are great for cooking heftier proteins and can be used to cook multiple dishes at once.

Steaming is a simple and efficient way to cook, making it ideal for home cooks who are short on time or experience. It is also a great way to cook for large groups, as it is quick, efficient, and easy to do in large batches.

Frequently asked questions