Although steam has long been a favorite cooking
method in Asia, Westerners have only recently
discovered the benefits of using steam ovens.
Steamed food tastes delicious. Because steam
cooking doesn’t require cooking with oils,
butter, or sauces, steamed foods are lower
in fat than those prepared by other cooking
methods. Rapidly steaming food seals in the
flavor, color, moisture, and nutritional
value, resulting in food that is healthy
and low calorie. Entire meals can be steamed
in less than 20 minutes. Steam ovens are
made by manufacturers that specialize in
kitchen appliances.
If you are thinking of buying
a steam oven,
consider the following:
- Steam ovens can either sit on the counter
or be built into the kitchen cabinets. Both
types use refillable water reservoirs to
produce the steam, so there is no need to
install a direct plumbing line.
- Poultry, meats, seafood, vegetables, fruits
and some desserts can all be cooked together
in steam ovens. So, if you want to cook a
number of different foods at one time, look
for multi-level cooking chambers.
- Make sure the ovens are equipped with temperature
control sensors that precisely monitor and
maintain temperatures during the cooking
process.
- Better steam ovens use Injection systems
to create an even distribution of the steam
throughout the oven; the result is consistently
cooked food at all levels.
Those looking to reduce the salt in their
diets can add flavor to steamed foods by
using herbs, spices, stocks, or wine in the
steaming process. |
