A steamer
Food steamer
A food steamer or steam cooker is a small kitchen appliance used to cook or prepare various foods with steam heat by means of holding the food in a closed vessel reducing steam escape. This manner of cooking is called steaming.
Full Answer
How to use a steaming basket?
Method 1 Method 1 of 2: Cooking with a Bamboo Basket Steamer Download Article
- Choose a basket steamer based on how much food you want to cook at once. Bamboo basket steamers come in all different sizes and number of tiers.
- Line the bottom of each tray with a lettuce leaf. ...
- Place the food you want to steam on top of the lettuce. ...
- Add water to a shallow pan that's big enough to hold the steamer basket. ...
- Bring the water to a simmer. ...
How to use a vegetable steamer basket?
- Never submerge the cord, plug, or base unit in water.
- Only use electric steamers indoors and on a stable surface, like a kitchen counter.
- Only use the steamer while water is in the reservoir. ...
- Use caution when opening the steamer. ...
- Unplug the steamer when you're not using it.
How to steam a tamale without a steamer basket?
Steaming Without a Steamer Basket
- Metal strainer. A mesh strainer or metal colander is a worthy vessel for steaming tamales, although you'll encounter some logistical challenges. ...
- Bowl and chopsticks. You can raise your tamales up out of the water by placing an upside down bowl in the bottom of the stockpot. ...
- Oven and roasting pan. ...
How to cook salmon in a steamer basket?
Part 1 Part 1 of 3: Filling and Stacking the Basket Tiers Download Article
- Soak the steamer in cool water for 5 minutes before using it if it's new. ...
- Line each basket tier you’re using with leafy greens or parchment. Bamboo steamer baskets utilize multiple stackable tiers that allow steam to travel up through each layer of food.
- Chop food into uniform pieces and space them evenly in a single layer. ...
What is the steaming basket for?
Steamer baskets allow you to cook your food quickly, consistently, and efficiently. Boiling as little as ½ inch of water under one of these perforated platforms can produce enough gentle, humid steam to cook meat, vegetables, and other foods.
What can I use instead of a steamer basket?
If you have an elevated wire cooling rack, that can also be used in place of a proper steamer. Use it exactly how you would a steamer basket: add an inch of water to a pot with a tight fitting lid, place the wire cooling rack in the pan, and place the food on top of the rack.
What are steaming baskets called?
Bamboo steamers, called zhēnglóng (蒸笼; 蒸籠) in Chinese,it originated in Han Dynasty． A simple two level bamboo steamer with a diameter of 20 cm. The most famous kind of bamboo steamers are used in Chinese cuisine and date back to 5,000 years in Southern China.
How do I use steamer basket on steam?
A steamer basket is the most common way to steam vegetables. This simple houseware is inserted directly into a pot or pan, and then used on the stove or in the microwave. The concept is rather simple, you just add a little bit of water into the pot, place your veggies in the basket and then close the lid to the pot.
Can you use a colander as a steamer basket?
If you don't steam food frequently—‚or if you find yourself in need of a steaming basket, stat—don't run out and buy one. All you need is a metal colander or a baking rack, a big pot, and some aluminum foil, and you've got everything you need to make a steamer at home.
How long should vegetables be steamed?
Suggested times for steaming vegetables: Asparagus, green beans: 3 to 5 minutes. Collard greens, kale, Swiss chard, and other hearty, leafy greens: 5 to 7 minutes. Cauliflower, broccoli: 8 to 10 minutes. Beets, carrots, potatoes, turnips, and other root vegetables: 10 to 15 minutes.
What does a steamer basket look like?
0:181:30Stainless Steel Lotus Foldable Steamer Basket with Handle ReviewYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe plastic piece in the middle is hard plastic though like the handle. And not made of silicone.MoreThe plastic piece in the middle is hard plastic though like the handle. And not made of silicone. The steamer basket is lightweight and the handle lets you remove it from your pots. And pans easily.
How do you steam dumplings if you don't have a steamer?
Add a few inches of water, bring to a boil, then lower to a medium simmer. Rub a little sesame oil on the plate, then place as many dumplings as will fit on top (without crowding). Gently lower the plate onto the foil balls, then cover pot with a lid. Let steam for 7-8 minutes or until cooked through.
What can you cook in a steamer?
Things You Can Cook with a Food SteamerVegetables. The first thing you can cook in a food steamer is vegetables. ... Seafood. The second thing people usually think to steam is fish (and seafood). ... Root vegetables. Next up are root veggies like carrots and potatoes. ... Meat. ... Eggs. ... Poultry. ... Rice. ... Pasta.More items...•
Can you steam in an air fryer?
Secondly, the air fryer's design is not possible for steaming. The steamer requires boiling water to create steam, and you can't directly pour water into the air fryer's drawer. Also, air fryers have only one food case, so there is no place for containing water.
What foods are suitable for steaming?
You can steam a wide variety of foods, including vegetables, chicken, and shellfish. For added flavor, steam food on a bed of herbs, scallions, lemon slices, or greens. Leafy greens -- such as spinach or mustard greens -- and shellfish, such as mussels and clams, are terrific possibilities for steaming.
Can you steam frozen vegetables?
STEAM ON THE STOVETOP Once your basket or sieve is in place, add your frozen vegetables and then cover the pot or pan with a lid. Watch your veggies closely – the may cook faster than you expect and nobody likes army green broccoli!
How do you make a steamer basket?
0:182:31Super Quick Video Tips: Make an Impromptu Steamer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo here at the Test Kitchen we've come up with an easy steamer substitute that requires just twoMoreSo here at the Test Kitchen we've come up with an easy steamer substitute that requires just two aluminum pie plates disposable. And a sheet of parchment paper.
How do you make a homemade steamer?
0:041:31How to Steam Food Without a Steamer | Mad Genius Tips - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut you don't have a bamboo steamer. Well I have a brilliant idea to teach you how to do it and allMoreBut you don't have a bamboo steamer. Well I have a brilliant idea to teach you how to do it and all you need is aluminum foil and a deep skillet. And what you're gonna do is you're going to roll.
How do you steam dumplings without a basket?
Add a few inches of water, bring to a boil, then lower to a medium simmer. Rub a little sesame oil on the plate, then place as many dumplings as will fit on top (without crowding). Gently lower the plate onto the foil balls, then cover pot with a lid. Let steam for 7-8 minutes or until cooked through.
How do you steam broccoli without a steamer basket?
Stove Top:Place 1-2" of water in the bottom of a pot with a lid and heat over high heat until boiling. Add broccoli and place lid on top.Cook for 3-4 minutes. Carefully and quickly place broccoli in a colander (strainer) and run cold water over broccoli.Serve warm, tossed with optional garnishes if required.
1. How To Use A Metal Steamer Basket?
The metal steamer basket is primarily stainless steel, known for its sturdiness, rustproof, durability, and easy maintenance. A metal steamer basket will last in your kitchen for ages. It is the simplest to use, as in this YouTube video
2. How To Use Bamboo Steamer Basket
Bamboo cookware is gaining popularity due to its environmentally friendly nature. This material is organic, non-toxic, durable, easy to use, and easy to maintain. It consists of interlocked baskets stacked on top of each other. The bamboo steamer is a set that comes with a basket for placing the food.
Conclusion
If you love steamed veggies, chicken, fish fillets, herbs, mussels, and lemon slices, a steamer basket will make things easier for you. The food is healthy as it comes to your plate fresh with no oil.
How big is a steamer basket?
If you’re a home cook, opt for the standard 10 to 12 in (25 to 30 cm) basket steamer. If you’re buying a steamer for a restaurant or commercial use, go with a larger one, like one that’s 30 inches (76 cm).
How to use bamboo basket steamer?
To use a bamboo basket steamer, first, line the bottom with lettuce leaves to prevent the food from sticking to the steamer. Then, place the food you want to steam on top of the lettuce, spreading it out in a single layer so it cooks evenly.
How to steam food in a steamer?
Set the steamer basket into the saucepan and place the food inside. Once the water is boiling, rest the steamer basket in the saucepan, making sure that the water stays below the basket. Add the food that you want to steam to the bottom of the basket.
What is the best way to steam food?
Learn more... Steaming is a healthy way to cook anything from vegetables to fish to dumplings. To steam food at home, you’ll need a basket steamer. You can use a bamboo basket steamer if you have a wok or a shallow pan, or you can use a metal basket steamer, which looks like a colander and sits inside a deeper saucepan.
How to make a steamer?
Bring 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Pour water into the bottom of a saucepan that your steamer will fit inside. Place the pan on the stove and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
What kind of steamer should I use for cooking different types of food?
Choose a multi-level bamboo basket steamer if you want to cook different types of food all at once.
How to keep lettuce from sticking to basket steamer?
Line the bottom of each tray with a lettuce leaf. Take a large, clean lettuce leaf and lay it over the bottom of each tier that you’re going to use . This prevents the food from sticking to the basket steamer.
How to steam vegetables in a pot?
The technique is simple: fill a medium pot with 1/2 inch of water, place three golf ball–sized balls of aluminum foil on the bottom, rest a heat-proof plate on top of the foil balls, cover the pot, and bring the water to a boil. Add vegetables to the plate, cover, and steam until crisp-tender. Carefully remove vegetables from plate and set aside. ...
Can you steam without a steamer basket?
When it comes to recipe revisions, steaming without a steamer basket is a minimal one —I'm not talking about taking out an ingredient or skipping a cooking step. All a steamer basket does is lift food off of the direct heat (i.e. the bottom of a pot) as it cooks.
Can you cover a pot with steam?
Unless you have a very large pot and a deep sieve with a lip, covering the pot tightly enough to capture steam is nearly impossible. Because very little steam was captured, this method took the longest, and the resulting vegetables tasted water-logged. Takeaway: This method doesn't work.
How to steam dumplings in a steamer basket?
Put veggies and tofu in the middle or top tiers. If you're steaming dumplings or precooked rice, put them in their own tier in the middle. Once the basket is good to go, bring about 2 inches of water in a pan to a simmer over medium heat, then set the steamer basket in the pan and cover it.
How many tiers in a bamboo steamer basket?
Depending on your recipe, you may only need to use 1 tier, or perhaps 3 or 4.
How to clean a bamboo steamer?
1. Rinse the steamer under warm water for a quick cleaning. Especially if you used leaves or parchment paper as a liner, a quick rinse is often all that’s needed to clean your bamboo steamer. If there are some stuck-on bits of food, soak the basket in hot water for up to 5 minutes, then rinse it clean.
How deep should a steamer pan be?
Choose a pan that’s around 7–10 cm (2.8–3.9 in) deep and holds the steamer basket snugly in place. Pour at least 3 cm (1.2 in) but not more than 6 cm (2.4 in) of water into the pan—you need enough water so that it doesn’t all evaporate, but not so much that it submerges the food in the bottom basket tier.
How to get rid of fish smell in steamer?
Turn to a tea bag or a lemon to get rid of odors in the basket. If you steamed seafood and your basket still has a fishy scent after you clean it, cut a lemon in half and rub the cut side all over the steamer. Or, soak a black tea bag in warm water for 1-2 minutes, then gently rub it over the steamer. 4.
Is bamboo steamer basket healthy?
Steaming is a fast and healthy way to cook a wide range of great dishes, and a bamboo steamer basket is a classic tool for the job. Using a bamboo steamer basket is as easy as lining, filling, and stacking its tiers over a pan of simmering water. Cleanup is even easier—just rinse it with water and scrub it a little if necessary! In no time, you’ll be steaming everything from veggies to dumplings to banana leaf-wrapped tilapia filets.
Can you use parchment paper for steamer baskets?
You can also use pre-cut parchment paper rounds that are made to fit common steamer basket sizes. Using a liner makes cleanup much easier! 3. Chop food into uniform pieces and space them evenly in a single layer. Your food won’t cook properly if you crowd the basket tiers so much that steam can’t rise up through them.
What is steam cooking?
Steam cooking is a form of moist-heat cooking. It is a combination of both boiling water and natural steam. It does not require any additional heat sources, making it an economical way to cook. The food cooks by coming in contact with the hot steam that rises, then condensing on the food’s surface.
How silicone-made collapsible steamers look like?
Many silicone-made collapsible steamers look similar to their stainless steel counterparts. However, some of them have a different collapsible design. Rather than opening and closing like a flower, they are raised and collapsed vertically. Other silicone-made collapsible steamers are called microwave steamers. They don’t have feet but are raised and collapsed in the same vertical direction and have flat bases that come in contact with the revolving plate of your microwave.
What is a steamer basket?
Steamers come in a few different shapes and sizes. One type is a collapsible metal steamer basket. They have an almost accordion shape, flaring out into a bowl in which to place the food you are steaming. Another type of steamer is a steamer pot, which is a two-in-one set of saucepans that stack on top of each other. The bottom saucepan, which is for the water, looks like any other saucepan in your cabinet. The top saucepan holds the food and has holes in the bottom to allow the steam to seep into the food. There are also bamboo steamer baskets, which can be placed inside a saucepan with water to cook anything from fish, to chicken, to dumplings and Chinese steamed cakes.
What Is Steaming?
Steaming is a moist heat cooking method, during which boiling water evaporates into steam. That steam, along with whatever you are cooking, is trapped in a pot with a tight-fitting lid, which creates the perfect, hot environment to cook the food. Typically, an inch or so of water boils in the bottom of the pan, with a steamer resting above, so that the food never touches the water. It is one of the more simple ways to cook, letting the true flavors of the food come through. After steaming, the possibilities are endless. You can finish your veggies and proteins with a pinch of salt and pepper, a bit of sauce like hollandaise or salsa verde, or just a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
How long does it take to cook steamed vegetables on the weekend?
Meal Prep Steamed Vegetables can be done on the weekend in just over an hour, and the end result will give you a refrigerator full of rainbow vegetables to use in a pinch all week long.
Can you steam sweet potatoes?
With about a million ways to cook a sweet potato, it can be hard to know which way to go. Steaming preserves all those wonderful nutrients in sweet potatoes, and it takes way less time than cooking them in the oven. You’ll be steaming this healthy dinnertime staple over and over again.
Can you use a pie pan as a steamer basket?
Another fun and quite easy solution is to use a disposable aluminum pie pan. These are available cheaply at most grocery stores and make for the perfect steamer basket substitute. Simply poke several holes into the bottom of the pan, settle it upside down into a pot filled with an inch of water, and place the food on top of the inverted pan. The edges of the pan will create that distance between the water and the food, and the food will rest comfortably on the flat surface of the pan.
