Steam Cooking

The act of steam cooking is to suspend food over boiling water until it is cooked.http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A14608749 The tradition of steaming allows the food to cook in its own juice and minimizes loss of nutrients. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A14608749 The food retains its texture because heat from the steam is gentle. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A14608749It slowly diffuses moist heat through the ingredients to create a uniform cooking environment. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A14608749Unlike agitating, bubbling, boiling water, steam does not roughen up the cellular structure of starchy foods or their aromatic compositions. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A14608749

Steam cooking may bring to mind vegetables and rice but many types of food may be prepared by the steam cooking method. Vienna beef and other types of cased hot dogs, are steam-cooked.http://www.foodsteamersonline.com/hotdogsteamers.html Milk is steamed for a better tasting cup of cafe au lait. http://www.foodsteamersonline.com/stovetopmilksteamers.htm Rice, when cooked, is soaked in water and boiled. The trapped steam cooks the rice.http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A14608749 Vegetables, when steamed, retain texture and some color. http://www.foodnetwork.com/healthy-eating/healthy-how-to-steaming-veggies/index.html

Use sturdy vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, artichokes, zucchini and green beans. Leafy greens take less time but most foods are done in about seven to 12 minutes.http://www.foodnetwork.com/healthy-eating/healthy-how-to-steaming-veggies/index.html Even while steaming, use a food thermometer to test internal temperatures of meats. http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/yf/foods/fn712.pdfSeafood and poultry are also featured in steam cooked recipes because steaming keeps the flesh tender and moist.http://www.chinesefood-recipes.com/chinese_cooking_methods/steaming.phpMicrowaves can be used for steaming by using specialty cookware or wrapping the food in microwave-safe material http://www.foodsteamersonline.com/microwavevegetablesteamer.html

When steaming, make sure the food is not cut too thick and evenly sliced, so the food is evenly cooked. http://www.foodnetwork.com/healthy-eating/healthy-how-to-steaming-veggies/index.htmlWrapping the food in husks, wax paper and non-poisonous leaves will take longer but lengthening the cooking time helps with texture and flavor. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A14608749

Steam cooking is also one of the oldest methods of food preparation.http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A14608749In India, Modak, an ancient ritualistic food of rice flour dumplings filled with sweetened grated coconut, is steam-cooked. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A14608749Couscous, an African dish made of steamed semolina, is referenced in the works of 14th century Moroccan traveler, Ibn Battuta.http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A14608749Steamed meats are best when infused with spices in the water. They are lower in fat when prepared this way.http://www.foodsteamersonline.com/