How to Use Steam Cooking Basics

Steam cooking is one of the best methods to prepare meals as it preserves the majority of vitamins and minerals in food which is often lost when boiling, frying or even baking. Additionally, steam cooking can be used to reheat foods to help maintain the flavor and moisture. A few steam cooking basics can get you started.

Instructions

1. Steam fruit, vegetables and even fish and meat by simply suspending foods over boiling water. There are a variety of steaming pots available for your needs, from simply straining baskets that can be placed in your regular pots to stackable bamboo steamers and wok steamers. Regardless of the equipment you choose, the basics remain the same.

2. Fill your steamer so that the foods are about 1 inch above the water. It is a good idea to warm a kettle of water while steam cooking so that you can add hot water to the pot as water evaporates. For best results keep the water at the same level throughout cooking.

3. Arrange your foods on the steamer rack or compartment so that there is space between pieces, allowing steam circulation around the foods for faster cooking. If you are steaming beans, grains or other small foods, stir them occasionally for even cooking.

4. Chop the foods that are being steamed to about the same size to ensure even cooking time. If you are steaming meats, pound the meat so that it is an even thickness throughout and turn halfway through cooking.