subject: Overview Of Different Types Of Steamers [print this page] As we become more health and environmentally conscious, steamers are making a big comeback but deciding which steamer is right for your household can be a bewildering choice. Steaming is a delicious way of preparing fish, poultry, vegetables, and even meat. Food retains its juiciness, color, and texture.
A brief history: As popular as steaming has become in recent years it is by no means new technology. Steaming as a method of cooking food is believed to predate the discovery of fire and hot springs were probably the first sources of steamed food.
With the discovery of fire and when the taste of barbecued meat became humdrum, early man would place food into a container such as the cleaned stomach bag of an animal. The container would then be dropped into water and hot rocks tossed in after it, creating great clouds of vapor and effectively steaming the contents of the bag.
The Chinese, who appear to have invented absolutely everything first, have been happily steaming for 3,000 years or more and steaming is still a favorite method of cooking food, and the famous dim sum is as sought-after as ever.
That great staple of the Middle East and North Africa, couscous, literally cannot be prepared without steam.
Expandable metal insert: Familiar to many, this is a collapsible insert which is placed on the bottom of the saucepan, lifting the food above the water level. This is cheap and convenient and takes up virtually no storage space.
Bamboo steamers: Available in varying sizes, whole meals may be cooked in a several steamers, stacked one above the other. These are lightweight, washable and easy to store.
Electric steamers: Very popular these days, electric steamers come in a myriad designs and materials, with two or three tiers. A reservoir at the bottom of the appliance holds and heats the water, sending steam upwards and cooking two or three tiers of food simultaneously. Very useful for large families, singles can also make good use of thee appliances. Very often you may need very little other equipment, which makes a lot of sense when quarters are cramped.
Rice cookers: No Asian home would be without one and they making cooking rice a snap. If, like me, you cannot achieve fluffy, separate grains, this alleviates the bother. Simply measure rice and water, add salt to taste and switch on. The rice cooker will switch off automatically and works equally well with brown or white rice.
Steam bags: Steam bags are simply placed in a pan of boiling water, the tried and tested boil-in-bag technique.
Whatever your personal requirements, steaming is the new black in food culture, so get started today and enjoy fresh, aromatic, and fat-free meals.
