All the secrets, salty and sweet, of the steam cooking
The steam cooking is healthy and dietary. Not only it preserves vitamins and minerals, but in addition, does not require any fat. Ideal for those who watch their line. Moreover, the food does not burn, so there is no risk of accumulating toxins associated with too much cooking.
Choose the right material
The electric steam cooker consists of several containers on top of each other, located above a bowl containing water. If you have a microwave, know that there are steamers specially designed for. And others are dedicated to induction, gas ...
It is often forgotten, but the couscous cooks steamed too. Without him, impossible to make a couscous worthy of the name with good vegetables and a perfect semolina. For its part, the bamboo basket is distinguished by its aestheticism. Only drawback: its low capacity. And if your budget is very small, know that a sheet of aluminum or sulfurized paper is just as good.
How to perfume your dishes ?
We often criticize the steam cooking to be bland. In reality, it can be very tasty, provided you perfume it. For this, pick aromatic herbs. Place a few branches of thyme or rosemary in the cooking water. Use and abuse laurel, chives, mint, dill, basil, coriander ... Also think of spices like star anise or cinnamon to enhance your dishes or candied lemons and citrus fruits to give a taste of fish.
To fill the bowl, forget the tap water and prepare a scented broth with one or two cubes of chicken broth, a dash of white wine, chicken stock, etc. For more originality, mix water and beer or dilute a tea bag.
The papillote, simple and quick to do
Papillote is certainly the fastest way to steam. Just slide your fish, to add small vegetables, lemon, salt, pepper. And presto, in the oven! The longest is to wait until the end of cooking. For the papillote to be appetizing, vary the colors. Mix some zucchini, a carrot, yellow pepper, diced tomatoes. Replace salmon or cod with chicken or rabbit. Add a little cream, soy sauce, onions and why not a little cheese. In short, the foil must make you want. Do you prefer sweet and savory? Why not make a pineapple or salmon-honey shrimp?
A papillote for dessert
Slip banana into slices, add candied ginger, lime and sugar, and delight your loved ones. Apple, pear, pineapple are also delicious in foil. Do not forget to scent the cooking water with tea or spices to enhance the taste of the fruits. And to make them succulent, do not forget cinnamon, vanilla and honey spoon on top. Namely, you can also add mascarpone, caramel or chocolate chips for a greedy version. And for the tasting, think of the ice ball.
Steamer: all-in-one
The steam cooker has several floors. Interest? Cook meat, vegetables and starchy at the same time. This saves you from starting three fires at the same time. Make pork meatballs or mint lamb skewers. Besides, know that rice, semolina but also ravioles cook wonderfully in this device. Enjoy!
With, one can also concoct sweet sweets such as a coconut flan, a rice pudding, a caramel cream, a chocolate cake or a white chocolate mousse. We film to avoid any unpleasant surprises. And we get a dessert mellow and greedy. What to reconcile sustainably with the steam cooking !
