Steaming is one of the easiest and most flavorful ways to prepare vegetables or meats. It takes advantage of natural ingredients, but still allows them to retain their freshness and vibrant colors.
Steamer pot recipes are a great way to get a healthy meal on the table quickly. Here are some delicious options to try out.
Mussels
Mussels are a delicious way to add seafood to your meals. They are easy to prepare and are also a great source of protein. They can be served as a light appetizer or a hearty main course.
When buying mussels, you should always make sure they are fresh. They should be alive, with a light ocean fragrance. If they don’t smell good, you can discard them. They are best when you can eat them immediately after you buy them, but you can also keep them for a few days in the refrigerator.
Once you’ve bought the mussels, rinse them under cold water and scrub them with a clean sponge or brush to remove any debris that may be stuck in their shells. Discard any with broken shells.
To steam mussels, place them in a pot that has enough water to cover them by at least a few inches. Bring the liquid to a boil, and then cover and cook over medium-high heat. This method is a moist cooking technique that makes the mussels tender and flavorful without the use of a lot of butter or oil.
A classic French mussel dish, this recipe is a perfect addition to any dinner table. It’s super versatile and takes less than 20 minutes to prepare!
In this steamer pot recipe, the mussels are steamed in a rich white wine and garlic cream broth that is full of flavor. It’s easy to make and can be paired with pasta, a side salad or crusty bread for an excellent appetizer!
You’ll need a large, high-sided pan or pot with a lid. Then, saute some onions and garlic in a little olive oil or butter until soft and translucent.
Next, add the mussels and stir them around a bit. Pour in the wine and broth, then cover and let them steam over medium-high heat for about 5 to 7 minutes or until the shells open up (you can give them a quick stir midway through).
When they’re cooked, transfer the mussels to serving bowls with tongs. Ladle the sauce and vegetables over them, dividing them evenly. If you like, sprinkle with parsley and serve with a drizzle of lemon juice.
Shrimp
Steaming shrimp is a quick and easy way to prepare this protein-rich seafood, and it also helps lock in their flavor. Boiling can cause shrimp to get rubbery and overcooked if done incorrectly, but steaming is a much gentler way to cook your crustaceans.
You can use either fresh or frozen shrimp to make this dish. If you have a freezer full of shrimp, make sure to thaw them out slowly and gently in a bowl of cold water before using them. Once thawed, the shrimp will be easier to handle and will cook faster.
For this recipe, you’ll need a large pot with a steamer basket that can fit in the pot. You’ll want to make sure that the water in the pot will not touch the bottom of the steamer basket – this is important for maintaining a gentle boil during cooking.
Place the shrimp in the steamer basket and sprinkle them with Old Bay Seasoning. Carefully place the basket into the pot and cover with a lid. Reduce the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle boil.
After a few minutes, remove the lid and toss the shrimp until they are cooked through, about 3-5 minutes. Check the shrimp periodically to ensure they are not overcooked; overcooked shrimp can become rubbery and hard to eat.
Besides shrimp, you can add a variety of vegetables to your steamer pot when making this dish. Some aromatics that work well include onions, carrots and celery. Garlic and ginger are also great additions that impart a lot of flavor.
A few tablespoons of butter and apple cider vinegar are also helpful to add to the steaming liquid for added flavor. You can also use lemon wedges to add some zing to this dish.
When you’re ready to serve, drain the liquid from the shrimp and transfer them to a serving platter. Top with a sprinkling of parsley and serve hot or chilled with cocktail sauce, if desired.
This dish is a classic shrimp boil that’s perfect for parties! Try adding a few whole live lobsters and clams to your shrimp boil, as well.
Vegetables
Steaming is a simple method that preserves nutrients in vegetables. Unlike boiling or sauteing, steaming leaves water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C intact, and it also keeps the veg’s crunchy texture.
Besides the added nutrients, steaming also saves on calories, which is especially helpful if you’re counting your macros. Moreover, it’s an excellent way to prepare all kinds of veggies – even those that don’t require cooking!
To get started, simply fill a pot with a few inches of water (just enough to cover the bottom of your steamer basket) and bring it to a boil. Then, add the veg to the basket and cover with a lid.
Tender, fresh vegetables usually take only a few minutes to steam in the pot. Harder ones like potatoes, carrots and broccoli will need a little longer. Smaller pieces of veg tend to cook faster than larger ones, so it’s important to cut all the veggies into the same size and shape.
It’s important to keep the heat low and to check the water level every so often, as it can evaporate quickly if you overdo it. It’s also a good idea to use the lid on your steamer pot while it’s cooking so that your vegetables don’t become soggy.
After a few minutes, you can test the veggies to see if they’re tender and cooked through. You’ll know they’re done when you can pierce the thickest part with a fork and you can taste them.
You’ll need a lid for your steamer pot to keep the water in, so it’s essential to choose a lid that fits well. A lid that’s too tight may cause the water to boil away from the vegetables, causing them to become soggy.
Some vegetables, such as artichokes, can be steamed whole, but other veg such as broccoli and cauliflower should be broken into florets to help them steam. It’s also a good idea for green leafy veg to be sliced into bite-sized chunks, rather than being left whole.
Meat
Steaming is a versatile and healthful cooking technique that can be used to make a wide variety of foods. It is also easy to use, allowing you to create quick and delicious meals that are both healthy and satisfying.
Meat is a popular ingredient to add to a steamer pot, and can be cooked in a variety of different ways. Whether it’s chicken or beef, steaming can be an excellent way to cook meat while maintaining its original flavor and texture.
The key to a successful steaming experience is timing. You need to wait for the water to boil before placing the food in the basket and putting on the lid. This is essential to prevent the water from boiling over and causing the food to burn.
A loose-fitting lid can also cause problems with a steamer. It can allow a small amount of the steam to escape and can make the process longer or alter the flavor of the food.
To avoid this problem, try placing a tea towel or another piece of cloth between the top of your steamer and the lid. You can also try adding a small amount of liquid to the pot before steaming to help ensure that the lid doesn’t leak.
Meat that is steamed can be very flavorful, especially if you season it with a few spices or herbs. You can also use a stock or fruit juice for the liquid in the steamer, which will further enhance the flavor of the dish.
It’s important to prepare the meat ahead of time so it will be at room temperature when you’re ready to steam it. Start by sprinkling salt, pepper, and other spices over the meat. You can also cover the meat in flour before sprinkling it with these seasonings.
You can also add aromatics like onions, garlic, and ginger to the steaming liquid to further enhance the flavors of the meal. This can be particularly helpful when steaming vegetables, as the aromatics will permeate the food and give it more intense flavor.
Meat can be steamed in a variety of ways, including on the stovetop, in the oven, or in an Instant Pot. However, you should always follow the guidelines set forth by the USDA in order to reduce your risk of foodborne illness. It’s also best to keep a close eye on the temperature of your food during the steaming process to make sure that it’s not overcooked or undercooked.