How to Master Your Kitchen

For the next installment of my How to Master Your Kitchen series, I am talking about a metal steamer. Check out the previous installments about a zester, food processor, dutch oven, stand mixer.

Why am I doing this series? I believe that knowing how to use kitchen tools properly is important and will help you make better food. Knowing how to master your kitchen is like your job, you must have certain appliances to help you do your job better and kitchen tools are the same. This series is about knowledge and then hopefully help you realize that cooking isn't all that bad, it is just about knowing how to use your tools properly.

I use a metal steamer rather than have another huge appliance. A metal steamer is the cheaper alternative and it takes up less space in your kitchen. I don't know about you but my kitchen doesn't need another appliance taking up room in my cupboards or counter. 

How do you use a metal steamer? It needs a pot it can fit in, you place the steamer in the pot, fill the bottom with some water and put whatever you want to steam in the steamer. Usually, I steam frozen veggies ie corn and peas for our dinner. 

The nice thing about these steamers is they are pretty easy to clean. If you are using the bamboo steamer, the bottom left, you should put some parchment paper, lettuce leaves or grease the steamer so the food won't stick. Just don't ever put your bamboo steamer in the dishwasher, you will be buying a new bamboo steamer.

Other ways you can use your steamer is to refresh day old bread or rolls. Put the bread into the steamer and steam it for about 5 minutes. You can also steam fish or meats which helps to preserve minerals and vitamines, plus it is a healthy cooking method. A bamboo steamer can be used to heat up tortillas before you make burritos or tacos. Steaming the tortillas will make them pliable so when you fold them, they won't break in the center. You can also use a steamer for tamales, only smaller quantities of tamales though.

Any other uses for a steamer?