What can I use instead of a double boiler? How to cook delicious meatballs or chicken steamed? What about desserts, then? Double boilers are not the only way to cook delicious recipes.
Double Boiler
The Chinese are believed to have been the first to use steam. Steam processing is a good way to maintain the necessary moisture in foods.
A cereal that retains its beneficial properties after cooking, but loses most of them when it is cooked, can be a good source of B vitamins. No extra oil taste or fat, just the flavor and aroma of food.
Our article will tell you strong>how to double boil without a double boiler/strong>. This article will show you what to do without a double-boiler.
What can I use instead of a double boiler?
Open a secret. You can steam nearly anything. Cutlets, meat, poultry, fish, vegetables and cereals. You should not cook just for two:
- When noodles and pasta are boiled, they can become one large piece.
- Some species of mushrooms contain substances that can only be destroyed by boiling or soaking.
- Steam will only intensify the taste of vegetables or fruits that look rotten.
How to replace a steamer at home?
How can you cook a dish that is steamed without using a double boiler, though? It is a very simple process. The water is boiled, and the steam from the boiling water warms the food in the special container.
This method has the obvious advantage that it does not require you to turn the food over. You can also be assured that the food will not burn, boil or run off.
The cooking time is also often shorter than when food is boiled or fried, because the food is heated evenly. You don’t need to use as much oil as you would when frying and nutrients are not lost in the broth like they do when you cook. This means that you can enjoy a truly nutritious meal.
Do not be discouraged if you do not have any special kitchen appliances. It is possible to steam at home without a double-boiler. A simple design can be built using improvised materials.
1. Colander
A regular saucepan, half filled with water, and a colander covered by a lid is the easiest method. The colander can be replaced with gauze whose edges are tied to handles. Or you can use a metal sieve.
2. Foil
You can use foil balls if you don’t have a gauze, colander or something similar.
On top of these lumps, you place a bowl or plate that you intend to cook. All of this is covered with a lid.
3. Special pot insert
These liners consist of metal petals that have a handle and four legs. The petals can be adjusted to fit the container. The insert is placed over a pot of water and then the desired product(s) are layered on top.
The container in which you place the food must not come into contact the bottom of boiling water.
Steam Cooking Basic Tips
You can steam cook without a steamer. These homemade options are simple to use and assemble, but you should not forget to follow the safety guidelines:
- Steam can cause you to burn.
- The risk of burning yourself is too high to open the lid or look into the pan until you are done cooking.
- You should also fix it very well. It is also important to fix the gauze very well.
- Avoid using plastic containers such as colanders, bowls or plastic containers. They can melt.
- Use pot holders if the handle of your colander is made from metal.
8 Steam Recipes You Can Cook
We will explain in detail, using an example, how to steam food without a dual boiler.
1. Fish Steaks
Take one steak of fish for one serving. Store-bought steaks weigh between 200 and 300 g. Redfish, trout or salmon are all good choices. It is important to remove the skin before steaming. You can use a fish scaler for convenience. Remove any bones. Steamed Fish Steak
Sprinkle the fish with salt and pepper, and generously brush it with olive oil. Then, place the steak onto baking parchment. Put the fish prepared on parchment and in a sieve.
Cover the sieve with a lid and place it on a pan half-filled with water that is already boiling. In just 10 minutes you will have delicious fish.
2. Chicken fillets with Lemon Mustard Dressing
You will need 1 chicken fillet and 1 lemon. Also, 2 teaspoons of dry mustard, a sprig dill, some salt and black pepper, to taste.
The fillet should be cut into three equal pieces. To make the dressing, grated the lemon zest on a fine-grated grater. Chop the dill and add the mustard, salt and pepper. Mix well. Place the chicken fillet into the dressing so that it is completely covered.
Fill the pot half full with water, and bring it up to a rolling boil. Reduce the heat after boiling (slightly lower than medium so that the water gurgles). Place the fillet prepared in a sieve. Cover and cook 15 minutes.
3. Beef Cutlets
You will need 200 g Milk 3.2% for four servings. Also, add 5 slices of white bread and salt to taste.
Peel the garlic and onion, then rinse them thoroughly. Blend (or finely chop) in a blender. You can use a garlic press. Then, without cutting the crust off, soak the bread in milk, turning it periodically to ensure that it is soaked from all sides.
Remove excess moisture from the bread by lightly wringing it out. Then, grind it in a blender to a smooth consistency. Add the onion, garlic and minced meat. Season with salt and pepper. Mix the minced beef with your hands to make it smooth.
The mixture should be soft and airy. If you feel the stuffing to be too stiff, add a few teaspoons of Milk. If desired, you can also add finely chopped carrots or greens.
Pour some water in the pan, and bring it up to a rolling boil. Use a colander or special insert that has been lubricated in vegetable oil.
Toss them in the colander and form patties. If possible, it is best to avoid touching the sides of the cutlets.
Cover the lid and steam it for 45-50 mins on a fire that is slightly above medium. Serve ready-made cutlets with vegetables and a tasty side dish.
4. Stuffed Squid
All seafood are not only delicious and healthy, but also low calorie. They are then steamed separately for 5 to 7 minutes. For our recipe you will need some simple ingredients.
This recipe requires 2 medium sized squids (about 150g), 125g of boiled rice, 3 cloves of garlic, and salt and pepper according to taste.
Chop the tentacles and mix with boiled rice. Rice boiled with tentacles chopped and garlic finely chopped. Add the mashed cheese using a fork. Add salt and pepper according to your taste. Filling should be thoroughly mixed and stuffed into the squid. You can use toothpicks as a way to ensure that the filling does not fall out.
The question of how to steam in a pan is now answered. Put the squid in parchment paper, then put it in a sieve or colander and cook for 20 minutes over boiling water. This dish can be eaten both hot or cold.
5. Vegetable stew
You will need 400g of courgette, baby marrow or zucchini, 2 medium potatoes, 2 sweet peppers, 3 tomatos, and salt to taste.
All vegetables should be washed and the skin removed. Cut tomatoes and peppers in strips and cut carrots and potatoes cubes.
Mix all vegetables with salt in a container. Add herbs like parsley, oregano or bay leaf.
Cover the colander and cook it for 30-40 mins. Turn off the heat, cover and let it sit for 5 more minutes.
6. Omelette
You will need 4 eggs, 6 tablespoons of milk for two servings. Salt, 10 g butter, 1 l.
Mix well. Add milk and salt. Mix well. Oil a silicone mold or small omelet pans. Pour the milk and egg mixture into the silicone mold.
Place the mold in a container and pour boiling water into a pan. Cook for about 10 minutes. The oil makes it easy to turn the mold and transfer the omelette onto a plate.
7. Apple Soup
This recipe can be made with any apple variety. You can add more or less. You can reduce sugar if your apples are already sweet.
Two eggs, an apple, sugar (without a slide) – 1 tbsp and milk (30 ml), cinnamon – 0.5 teaspoon and salt are needed for one serving.
Pour the deep dish, crack the eggs in the prepared dish. Add the sugar. Whip gently until smooth with a whisk or fork. Stir in the cinnamon.
Wash and dry the apples on a towel or napkin. First, remove the skin. Grate the fruit on a medium or fine grater and add it to the eggs. Pour the milk into the mixture. Mix again until smooth. Pour the mixture in the container you’ll use to prepare the souffle. Place it on a sieve or colander.
Place the souffle on top of a pot with boiling water. The souffle should be covered with a lid for 7-10 mins. This dessert is delicious both warm or cold. Garnish it with coconut flakes and grated chocolate.
8. The fruity savoury combination of Wareniki and strawberries
You will need 6 tablespoons of wheat flour. With a slide. Sour Milk (you may replace it with Kefir) – 150 ml. Baking soda – 0.5 tsp. and a pinch salt. You will need strawberries for the filling. The amount you use depends on the size. This amount of ingredients will yield approximately 10 dumplings.
Mix well. Add baking soda and salt to the flour. Add milk (or kefir). For kneading, use a fork or whisk. Once the dough has thickened, you can knead it with your hands. Try not to make it too stiff.
Divide the dough into equal but not too small portions.
Cakes should be at least 0.5cm thick. Place strawberries in the middle. The berries should be chopped into large pieces, while the smallest ones can be used whole. If you want to sprinkle sugar in the middle of the tortilla, go ahead. But if the strawberries are cute, you may not need it.
Connect the edges to form a dumpling. Be sure to adhere the ends as tightly and as firmly as possible, so that they do not open during cooking.
Pour half of the water in the pan. Double-fold gauze and tie it tightly to the pan’s top. Bring the water up to a rolling boil. Cover the dumplings with cheesecloth, and then cover it with a lid. Cook for 5-6 min.
Place the dumplings onto a serving plate. Sprinkle sugar or sweet jam on top.
The conclusion of the article is:
When we want to steam something, we are often asked how to do it, especially when we don’t own a double-boiler. You don’t need a double-boiler to enjoy delicious, healthy steamed foods.
It is actually very simple. We have all the tools we need in our homes. All we need to do is apply them correctly. Show your ingenuity by making a double-boiler from improvised materials.
Enjoy your meal!