Steamed recipes- Credited as being one of the healthiest cooking techniques, the best part is that the process of steaming is easy, convenient and quick. You don't have to sweat it out in the kitchen to make your plate of perfectly steamed veggies or a fillet of butter garlic fish. All you need, are a few basic ingredients to dish out a range of lip-smacking treats (without having to worry about those extra calories).
Why Should You Steam Your Food? Benefits of Eating Steamed Food
Come summer or winter, steaming your food is the best way to ensure that you are eating healthy. Various studies also point at fact that steaming food is an effective way to make the most of the nutrients present in our food. When we over throw away the cooking liquid or use excessive heat, most of the nutrients are lost in the process. As such, mostly, what we consume is nothing but empty calories.
Tips on How to Steam Your Food | Tips and Tricks For Perfect Steamed Food
So, how do we go about steaming food? The best way to steam your food is of course to have a steamer at home. The new electric models also come with a timer so that it is easier for you to keep a check on your food, preventing it from getting over done. If you haven't got one yet, fret not. You can also do with a make-shift steamer using a large heavy bottomed pan and a perforated plate. Results could vary though.
Take the main ingredient (fish, chicken or vegetables) and toss it in a mix of spices and herbs to boost the flavour. You can leave it to marinade for a while before placing it neatly in the steamer, drizzling a little oil on top and steaming for a couple of minutes for the flavours to seep in as it gets cooked. As simple as that! But if you are up to taking it a notch higher, we present our scrumptious list of 10 best steamed recipes that will make you a pro in the game. From Thai inspired steamed fish and stuffed cabbage dumplings to Indian regional favourites like Bengali bhapa aloo and Parsi's beloved snack patra, there's plenty of dishes you can cook to surprise your family. This includes steamed desserts too! Like the sound of steamed puddings and cakes? Find out more -
Here are 13 easy steamed recipes you can try at home:
1. Steamed Spring Rolls
A delicious filling of fish, crab, chicken and mushroom is wrapped in a slice of yam root and steamed. These spring role are a low- calorie alternative to the fried ones. You can team them with dips of your choice.
(Also Read: 13 Best Vegetarian Chinese Recipes| Easy Chinese Recipes)
2. Steamed Asparagus with Potato and Leek Sauce
Steamed yellow squash, zucchini, green beans and asparagus batons served in a pool of potato and leek sauce. There, we saw you slurping.
(Also Read: 6 Incredible Benefits of Asparagus, the Nutrient Powerhouse)
3. Steamed Palak Vada
Healthy vadas with the goodness of atta, besan, sooji and spinach. And guess what? They are not fried, they are steamed.
(Also Read: Vadas of India: 10 Different Types of Vadas From Across India You Must Try)
4. Steamed Prawns in Garlic Sauce
A no-fuss recipe for steamed prawns coated in a lip-smacking garlic sauce. Simple and immensely satisfying! Serve it with a bowl of noodles or crisp greens on the side.
5.
Here, bringing a healthy spin, flour wrappers have been replaced by blanched cabbage wrappers. The feeling of eating dim sums remains but the calories don't pile on. Stuffed with a yummy chicken mince filling, these steamed parcels are a delight to eat.
6.
Steamed in a range of assorted flavours, fish fillets are served with a freshly made creamy sauce. A soothing dinner treat.
7. Bhapaa Aloo
Baby potatoes are marinated in a distinctive five spice mix, mustard paste, curd and coconut and steamed. Serve it with a bowl of steamed rice for a hearty meal.
8. Patra
A thick gram flour and tamarind batter, spread on arbi leaves, rolled, steamed and cut into small rounds to make an appetizing snack. Finish with a tempering of sesame seeds and coconut on top.
9. Honey Sponge Cake
A yummy and spongy cake made with custard powder and honey. Steamed and topped with roasted melon seeds and chocolate sauce.
10. Bread Pudding
A delicate pudding of bread, milk, raisins and marmalade. Simple yet wholesome, this easy recipe is ideal for the days you want to pamper yourself, but your kitchen pantry is not particularly loaded with an extensive range of ingredients.
11. Chicken Momos
Ditch the roadside momos and make them at your home with this sumptuous recipe. This delicious appetizer is native to the Himalayas of Nepal and is a favourite of all. Team it with fiery chilly garlic chutney and enjoy.
12. Dal Farra
If you love having dal in different forms, here is another delectable way you can consume it in your daily diet. A delcious north Indian dal dumpling that you must try, it's called – Dal Farra.
13. Steamed Sandesh
A super delicious Bengali dessert, Sandesh is a luscious milk based dish filled with the goodness of dry fruits.
Try these delicious recipes and let us know which ones you liked the best.