steam
definition | To cook food over (but not immersed in) a small amount of boiling/simmering water in a tightly closed vessel.
equipment | Large pot or wok; steaming rack (if you don’t have a steaming rack, anything that raises the food above the water will do just fine … you could try the Asian method of laying two wooden chopsticks crosswise in the bottom of a wok, for instance), collapsible metal steaming basket, or bamboo steaming basket; stove (you can also steam in a rice cooker).
advantages | Best method for preserving the vitamins, minerals, flavor and texture of foods; cooks food quickly and with no added fat.
best used for | Vegetables, poultry … great for low-fat diets.— Taken from Digs Magazine
I used to think that steamed food would taste bland and watery. Uh-uh. It’s time to dispel that thinking.
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My Mom & I used this Moulinex steamer. It’s novice-friendly and has a manual that shares recipes and tips on steaming. From top to bottom we’re steaming (1) sliced carrots and sliced baguio beans, (2) spinach leaves and sliced garlic and (3) a tilapia pre-seasoned with salt and pepper. There’s a device beneath the fish that holds water and the herbs or spices that can help make your food more aromatic and flavorful. We placed some lemon juice and ginger slices for this meal. |
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Ta-da! The finished product. We steamed the fish for about 20 minutes or so. The kitchen did not smell like we were cooking fish at all. No fishy smell! When fully cooked, my Mom then placed it on a plate and sprinkled it with a bit of sesame oil, Kikkoman and some ginger slices. Drizzling it with really hot oil is a great Chinese touch to it too. I’m not a big fan of that though since it defeats the steamed goodness of the fish! The veggies were steamed for about 5-7 minutes and then arranged prettily around the tilapia. |
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Our side dish was steamed spinach with garlic. This was also steamed for 5-7 minutes. Guess whose idea the spinach was? Dumdeedum. |
The great thing about steaming is that the flavor of the veggies is still very much intact. When I bit into the carrots, spinach and baguio beans, I could still savor their sweet juices and they tasted very fresh! I’m not a big baguio beans fan but after tasting it steamed, I became a convert. A healthy one at that! The fish also tasted so scrumptious. There was a full and malinamnam taste to it and I wolfed down my share without feeling guilty at all. No oily aftertaste!
Mama said she’d give me my own steamer as an anniversary present. Right, Mama? 😉
Why don’t you try steaming your food too? It’s a much healthier option to frying and if cooked the right way, your dishes will still be flavorful and yummy.
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For more on steaming, visit Hot Tips on Steam Cooking, Veggie Asia and of course, the Moulinex site (You’ll find the Steamer under Products > Culinary Pleasures > Cooking). Enjoy!
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
tin
June 24, 2005 at 12:30 pm (19 years ago)hi toni! great post! i’ve always wanted to buy a steamer but i’ve been putting it off due to kitchen space contstraints. hmm, galing ng convincing powers mo. makabili na nga soon!
have a great weekend!
Renee
June 24, 2005 at 3:48 pm (19 years ago)Hi toni! Great new layout!
One of the first things I bought when I moved to the States was a steamer basket. I enjoy steaming spinach and asparagus, although not necessarily together.
I was surprised at your sinigang post. I guess I just assumed you had already cooked sinigang na baboy lots of times since it is relatively easy to make. One tip I learned from my mother-in-law is to boil all meat first to get rid of all the blood and yucky stuff, discard what she calls “unang kulo”, rinse off the meat under running water and put it back on the stove and proceed with the recipe. I’ve since been quite OC about boiling meat. Have to do it EVERY time.
Cheryl
June 24, 2005 at 7:20 pm (19 years ago)Hi Toni, Michelle sent me!
Do you know – I’ve seen so many adverts for steamers and considered getting one for the health reasons, but this is the first time I fancied getting one because someone made my mouth water.
Shame we’re on different continents , or I’d be nagging for a dinner invite.
kenju
June 24, 2005 at 7:24 pm (19 years ago)Hi, Toni, Michele sent me. I use a small steamer basket in a sauce pan when I want to steam broccoli. It’s good just as it comes out of the steamer, even with no butter!
Sarcasmom
June 24, 2005 at 8:03 pm (19 years ago)I just had breakfast, but oddly enough am hungry for some steamed vegetables!. Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I’ll be checking back for some recepies.
JO
June 24, 2005 at 8:34 pm (19 years ago)Hi Toni, nice post… like the rest, I think I should buy a steamer too (for health reason)… right now, i’m using my rice cooker as my steamer…
try this one — steamed salmon, guaranteed super yummy too!
1. season salmon with salt and pepper… wrapped in foil and steamed for 20 mins with tootpick sliced ginger on top…
2. heat up extra virgin olive oil – plenty (kasi medyo sabaw mo ito), add tootpick sliced ginger, add sliced shallots then after 45secs to 1 min, add kiko-man soy sauce (the 40% less salt version)…
3. then pour sauce on the unwrapped already cooked steam salmon…
and viola… enjoy your dinner!
rolly
June 25, 2005 at 4:04 pm (19 years ago)Great new look, Toni!
I love steamed food, especially fish and veggies. You’re right. Steaming food keeps the nutritious juices of food. Healthier eating than frying them in oil.
The Ca t
June 26, 2005 at 4:04 am (19 years ago)happy new look. just in time for updating my links.
Linnor
June 26, 2005 at 8:22 am (19 years ago)Hey marikit neighbor/sis! If I gained a pound everytime I read your recipe posts, I’d be obese by now. Hahaha! Kakatakam!
ajay
June 26, 2005 at 5:30 pm (19 years ago)Seemed u convinced me to try steaming Toni..i better save up for a steamer NOW! hehe! Congrats on your new look..defintely this is more streamlined now
dexie
June 28, 2005 at 10:19 pm (19 years ago)i love steaming veggies. very delish and fast way of cooking
selina
June 30, 2005 at 5:56 pm (19 years ago)toni, the fish and veggies look so delicious!! i owe you a steamer set. i guess i should get one for both of us.