Steaming With A Pressure Cooker: When To Use Steamer Tray

A steamer basket is an incredibly useful accessory for your pressure cooker, allowing you to steam vegetables, fruit, fish, eggs, and more. It's a great way to cook delicate foods without them touching the surface of the inner pot, creating a calmer cooking environment. This is particularly useful for eggs, which are less likely to be jostled or damaged during cooking if they're placed in a steamer basket. Steamer baskets are also handy for cooking foods that are best cooked without resting in liquid, such as meatloaf, whole chicken, and certain desserts. You can also use steamer baskets to separate foods with different cooking times or foods that you want to serve separately. So, if you're looking to get more out of your pressure cooker, investing in a steamer basket is a great option!

When to use steamer tray for cooking eggs

A steamer tray is an essential accessory when cooking eggs in a pressure cooker. The tray ensures that the eggs are not in direct contact with the water and the pressure cooker insert, which can cause them to crack or leak.

To cook eggs in a pressure cooker, first fill the pressure cooker with the minimum amount of water specified by the manufacturer. Place the steamer tray above the water and put the eggs on the tray. Seal the lid and bring the pressure cooker to low pressure.

The amount of time you cook the eggs for will depend on how runny you want the yolks to be. For a soft-boiled egg with a runny yolk, cook the eggs for 5-7 minutes at low pressure. For a hard-boiled egg with a fully cooked yolk, cook for 8-9 minutes.

Once the eggs are done, use the quick-release method to open the pressure cooker. Transfer the hot eggs to a bowl of ice water to cool them down before serving.

Using a pressure cooker to make hard-boiled eggs is especially useful if you have access to very fresh eggs, as these can be difficult to peel when boiled in a pot of water. The pressure cooker makes it easy to peel the eggs, as the steam creates a pressure difference that separates the egg white from the shell.

When to use steamer tray for cooking vegetables

Steamer trays are a great way to cook vegetables in a pressure cooker. They are an accessory that can be used to elevate your food and ensure even cooking. Here are some tips on when and how to use a steamer tray for cooking vegetables:

When to Use a Steamer Tray

Use a steamer tray when you want to cook vegetables without boiling them. Steaming vegetables helps retain their nutritional value, colour, and flavour. It is a quick and efficient method that uses high pressure and steam to cook vegetables evenly. Steaming also conserves energy and water, making it an eco-friendly option.

Choosing the Right Steamer Tray

Most pressure cookers come with a basic trivet or rack that can be used for steaming. If your pressure cooker did not come with one, you can purchase a collapsible stainless steel steamer that opens like a flower, or a silicone steamer basket. Make sure the steamer tray you choose fits snugly inside your pressure cooker and has legs to keep it raised above the water.

Preparing Your Vegetables

Wash your vegetables thoroughly to remove any dirt or pesticides. Cut them into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. Smaller pieces will cook faster than larger ones. You can steam a wide variety of vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, green beans, potatoes, and squash.

Using the Steamer Tray

Add about 1-2 cups of water to the bottom of your pressure cooker, making sure it is enough to produce steam without reaching the vegetables. Place the steamer tray above the water level and spread your prepared vegetables evenly on the tray. Close the lid securely and set the cooking time. The cooking time will depend on the type of vegetable and your desired texture. For softer vegetables like spinach or kale, 2-3 minutes is usually enough, while harder vegetables like carrots or potatoes may need up to 5 minutes.

After Cooking

Use the natural release method for about 5 minutes, then switch to quick release to expel any remaining steam. Carefully open the lid, away from your face, and test a piece of vegetable for tenderness. If it is not done, you can cook it for an additional 1-2 minutes. Remove the vegetables promptly to prevent overcooking and season as desired.

Using a steamer tray in a pressure cooker is a convenient way to cook vegetables while retaining their nutritional value and flavour. By following these simple steps, you can easily incorporate steamed vegetables into your meals.

When to use steamer tray for cooking meatloaf and whole chicken

A steamer tray is an essential accessory for pressure cooker owners, enabling you to cook a variety of foods that are elevated rather than sitting directly on the bottom of the pot. They are also useful for foods that you don't want sitting in the liquid in the base of the pot, such as meatloaf and whole chicken.

When cooking a whole chicken in a pressure cooker, you will need your pressure cooker, a trivet or steamer basket, a cup of chicken broth or water, and a whole chicken. Place the cooking liquid in the bottom of the pressure cooker and then lower in the steamer basket. Prepare your chicken by cleaning it and patting it dry. You can add flavour by stuffing your chicken with onion and lemon or by adding a seasoned rub to the skin. Next, lower the chicken into the steamer basket. Secure the lid and set the cooking time according to the size of the chicken. As a general guide, a 3-pound chicken requires 15 to 18 minutes of high-pressure cooking. Add 6 minutes of cooking time per additional pound.

When cooking meatloaf in a pressure cooker, you will need to add water to the bottom of the pot to create steam. If your meatloaf sits directly in the water, it will become soggy. To avoid this, you can use a steamer tray or rack to elevate the meatloaf above the water. You can also create a "pan" for your meatloaf by shaping a piece of foil into a bowl and placing the meatloaf on top. Whether using a steamer tray or foil, be sure to leave some room on the sides of the meatloaf to allow steam to reach the top of the pot. For a 2-pound meatloaf, cook on high pressure for 35 minutes. If the meatloaf has not reached the correct internal temperature (155°F for all-beef meatloaf, 160°F for meatloaf made with pork), return the lid to the pressure cooker and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Using a steamer tray for cooking meatloaf and whole chicken in a pressure cooker has several benefits. It prevents the food from becoming soggy by keeping it out of the cooking liquid, and it also allows for more delicate cooking, which is ideal for dishes that require gentle preparation, such as meatloaf. Additionally, the steamer tray can be used to cook multiple foods at once, saving time and effort in the kitchen.

When to use steamer tray for cooking bread and cakes

Steamer trays are incredibly useful when cooking bread and cakes in a pressure cooker. The trays allow you to elevate the food, preventing it from sitting directly on the surface of the insert bowl. This is particularly useful when cooking delicate foods, such as bread and cakes, as it creates a calmer cooking environment.

When cooking bread and cakes, you should always use a steamer tray to prevent the food from resting in the water at the bottom of the pressure cooker. This will ensure that your bread and cakes do not become soggy.

Additionally, using a steamer tray can help to prevent your food from sticking to the bottom of the pressure cooker and burning. This is especially important when cooking bread, as it ensures that your loaf does not burn and can be easily removed from the cooker.

When using a steamer tray for bread and cakes, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to use the steamer tray and for how long. You should also grease the steamer tray and any moulds or pans to ensure that your bread and cakes do not stick.

Overall, using a steamer tray when cooking bread and cakes in a pressure cooker is a great way to ensure that your food turns out perfectly cooked, moist, and delicious!

When to use steamer tray for cooking multiple dishes at once

Steamer trays are a great accessory to have for your pressure cooker, allowing you to cook multiple dishes at once. They are especially useful for cooking multiple foods with different cooking times. For example, if you are cooking a meal with both tough vegetables and delicate eggs, the steamer tray can ensure that neither is overcooked.

The steamer tray is also handy for elevating food that you don't want to rest in the water at the bottom of the pot, such as meatloaf, whole chicken, and certain desserts. The tray can also be used to prevent food from sticking to the bottom of the pot, which is particularly useful when making dishes like bread or rice.

When cooking with a steamer tray, it is important to place the food that requires the most cooking time at the bottom of the tray, closest to the heat source. This could be tough vegetables such as potatoes, or large cuts of meat. Food that requires less cooking time should be placed at the top of the basket, such as eggs or fish.

Additionally, the liquid used to create steam can be flavoured with wine, herbs, or vinegar, or alternatively, broth or tomato sauce. This flavoured liquid can then be saved and used as a sauce for the food, or stored in the refrigerator for up to a week to use in another dish.

Frequently asked questions