Steam Cooking Without a Steamer: These Options Are Available

Steam cooking without a steamer: You can also use a pot and sieve

Steam cooking is a particularly gentle way of preparing vegetables or fish, for example. You don’t need to buy a steamer for this. Alternatively, you can work with a saucepan and stainless steel sieve.

• It is important that you can hang the sieve in the pot in such a way that the food does not come into contact with water. In addition, a suitable lid must be used so that not too much steam escapes.
• Fill a quarter of the pot with water and bring to a boil.
• Vegetables should be cut into equally sized pieces if possible. If you want to steam meat or fish, cut into thicker areas with a knife. This ensures that the food cooks evenly.
• Put the food in the sieve, hang it in the pot, and put the lid on it.
• Turn the temperature down so the water is just simmering. Raise the lid as little as possible during the cooking process so that the temperature remains constant.
• Tip: Alternatively, buy a cooking insert. The advantage is that it can be adjusted to the size of your saucepan.

Steam cooking in the microwave: No problem with special containers

Some microwaves have a steam cooking function. But even without this setting, you can use the microwave to prepare food gently.

• For this type of preparation to work, you need special dishes for steam cooking in the microwave.
• Fill the bottom of the container with water. Then place the food in the upper insert.
• Instructions from the manufacturer are included with the dishes. From this, you can find information on the preparation time depending on the food and also the required power of the microwave.

Bamboo steamer: Cook gently with steam

The traditional bamboo steamer, which is suitable for rice, fish, meat, and vegetables, comes from Asia.

• The round insert is inserted into the cooking pot with boiling water. The bamboo basket should not come into contact with water. The required amount of water can be found in the manufacturer’s instructions.
• If you want to steam rice, first place a thin cotton cloth in the steamer. For all other foods, use lettuce leaves. The food does not stick to the material.
• The disadvantage of bamboo is that it absorbs the smell of the food. You should therefore have an extra set for fish, for example, so that the taste is not transferred to vegetables or rice.

Cooking with steam: You can also use a rice cooker or Instant Pot

You may already have kitchen appliances that you can also use for steaming.

• If you have a rice cooker, you can use it to steam vegetables and the like. This kitchen appliance is usually supplied with a steamer insert. The advantage of a rice cooker is that you can cook and steam rice at the same time.
• A real all-rounder is the Instant Pot, a pressure cooker that combines the functions of a slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, and steamer. The device also has a searing and warming function. A steam grid is included. Matching accessories for steam cooking can also be purchased.