How to Steam Food – learn to prepare a “steamer” using a pot and a steaming rack. Also, find out about a handy gadget used to help make the task a little easier.
Steaming food is one of the most fundamental cooking techniques in Chinese cooking. Many tasty Chinese dishes including rice can be steamed in a single pot by stacking them up one on top of the other using metal or bamboo steaming racks. It is an efficient and healthy way of cooking.
On the basic level, steaming food can be done using any size pot that can accommodate the dish holding the food to be steamed. Simply place a metal rack at the base of the pot. Fill the pot with water up to the height of the metal rack. Bring the water to a boil. Then lower the dish onto the rack. This can be achieved easily and safely using dish retriever tongs. Place lid on the steamer and allow food to cook for stipulated time. Cooking time varies with amount and type of food.
Always make sure there is sufficient water in the pot. Top up where necessary. Once food is cooked, remove lid and carefully lift dish up with dish retriever tongs. If you do not have dish retriever tongs, use kitchen mittens or dish cloth to remove the hot dish.
Always exercise caution when steaming food because steam is very hot and can cause severe scalding.
I hope you find this tutorial on How to Steam Food helpful and will give it a try. Please subscribe to Malaysian Chinese Kitchen Channel for future tutorials and recipes.
