How to use a bamboo steamer basket

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Recently I told you that, although I have a bamboo steamer basket for a long time, I have not dared to use it until this summer. But now that I have fully immersed myself in it, I am unstoppable and very happy because steam cooking is a well of good things, for food and for our health (thanks to the absence of fat in its cooking).

There are different ways or, better said, different devices in which to carry out a steam cooking: in an electric steamer, in a metal steamer of those that are placed on a pot with boiling water, in Thermomix with its varoma container and in cases silicone and together with the oven or microwave. There is also the bamboo steamer basket, my favorite for its low cost, lightness, and durability if we know how to care for it and clean it properly. Then we will make it stay as the first day and last us forever.

What is a bamboo steamer basket?

It is a round container with a striped bass that allows you to enter the steam with which the food that is placed in it is cooked. They can be stacked, always covering the upper steamer, cooking several foods at the same time, and being placed on a wok, saucepan or frying pan with boiling water.

As its name suggests, this type of steamer is made of bamboo, which makes it very sustainable. Bamboo is a renewable resource because it is an herb that grows very fast. But it is also fragile and it is convenient to know how to care for and clean your bamboo steamer basket so that it stays like the first day.

How to protect the steamer basket during cooking?

Before using the bamboo steamer basket for the first time, a cold shower should be given. Don’t worry, and the steamer won’t deform? Just place it under the tap and moisten the entire surface. It’s that simple and fast and the bamboo steamer basket is ready to be released.

For the natural oil from foods, such as meat and fish, not to penetrate the bamboo while we steam them, it is necessary to cover the steamer’s base. This can be done with cabbage, cabbage or lettuce leaves on which to place the food or with parchment paper or oven paper. It will be necessary to pierce what we use so that the steam reaches the food well.

How to clean the bamboo steamer basket?

We have finished cooking and, although our steamer will be quite clean, it is important to clean it by hand, never in the dishwasher, with warm water. If there are any remaining food, we will use a brush or soft pad to remove it, but we do not immerse the steamer in water. We will avoid using soap or detergent since it can be absorbed and be felt in our next use, spoiling the taste of food.

If any food remains to resist us, we can add a little vinegar to the warm water and use the mixture to clean the affected area. Vinegar is a great cleaning agent, but it also helps reduce odors, so we will not remember what we cooked in our steamer the last time we use it again.

Before storing the bamboo steamer basket until its next use, we dry it carefully with a clean cotton cloth and air-dry completely in a place away from sunlight. We then store it in a well-ventilated cabinet or shelf where moisture does not accumulate. So we make sure that we are not filled with mushrooms.

With these tips, we will ensure that our bamboo steamer basket lasts for years in perfect condition and we can use it not only to cook our food, but also to present it at the table. They are a beautiful serving utensil and eliminate the need for additional dishes. You can’t ask for more, so take care of it with care!