How to use a bamboo steamer?

The bamboo steamer is a utensil that cannot be missing in your kitchen since it serves to prepare recipes by steaming. The bamboo steamer is very easy to use and the food does not lose its nutrients. The bamboo steamer has several levels, so you can cook different types of food at the same time and without mixing them.

Instructions to use a bamboo steamer

Place a wok or a pot (the size of the pot will depend on the steamer), with water and bring it to a boil, when it comes to a boil, put the bamboo steamer on top with the food and cook over medium-low heat. Foods that require a longer cooking time should go to the bottom. Make sure that the wok does not run out of water during cooking. The steamer should not touch the water. It should be tight on top of the pot or wok.

When you steam something, it is not good to add condiments, since in this way the flavors and aromas of the food are maintained almost entirely, as well as the vitamins and minerals. If you want food to acquire a delicate flavor, you can add to the water before it boils, a bouquet of aromatic herbs, peppercorns, anise and coriander.

The bamboo steamer should not be washed with soap and water. It should be gently cleaned with a damp cloth and allowed to dry.

Remember that in the bamboo steamer, the food cooks in a short time, you must keep an eye on them so that they are not overcooked and crisp.

WHAT DO WE NEED?

To cook with a bamboo steamer, we need to buy a steamer. But it is also important not to forget that we must have a casserole that adjusts to the steamer’s diameter because a steamer without its corresponding casserole from which steam comes out is not much use either. Therefore, there are two indispensable things: a steamer and a casserole.

WHAT STEAMER DO WE BUY?

As for the diameter, there are different measurements. The steamer we have is 20 cm. In diameter, but there are bigger and smaller. The choice depends on the needs of each family and the objectives for which we will use it. With a steamer with a large diameter, we can cook a large quantity at a time and also a large piece of some ingredient. Also, we can place a shallow dish inside the steamer to heat or cook something. On the other hand, if we use the steamer for cooking a small amount of food, it does not make sense to have one that is too large, because a bamboo steamer with its lid takes up a lot of space.

Apart from the diameter, it is also important to think about how many floors we want. One of the advantages of bamboo steamer is that we can cook different things at once in the overlapping compartments. My steamer has two floors and I find them useful and often prepare two things at the same time.

WHAT DO WE DO AFTER EACH USE?

There are two important things: first, do not leave food remains hooked on the steamer’s surface to avoid damaging the bamboo. Second, dry the steamer well after each use. If the bamboo is damp, mold may develop. If we see that the steamer has not become dirty after use, just dry it. If we have to wash it, we try not to keep it wet for a long time and remove it with a cloth before placing it in a place where it is well ventilated.

TO CONSIDER

To check if the food is already tender, we have to use a long tool so that we don’t burn our hands. Since the steamer is harmless in shape, we may try to touch the food directly by hand without much thought. But obviously, the steam is very hot and burns (I don’t know how many people are so clumsy to do this, but sometimes I was going to get burned…)

Likewise, it is advisable to use mitts to remove the steamer from the pot and open the lid because inside the steamer, there is a concentration of steam at a high temperature and we can burn ourselves.