Home cooking methods # 5: Steaming.

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Steaming is one of the oldest ways of cooking. Steam is one of the most appreciated culinary methods that is distinguished by its long life and health. In our society, this type of cuisine is mainly known as dietary, recommended by doctors for the prevention and treatment of diseases.

Steaming is considered one of the healthiest and most natural. In fact, in food, during steam cooking, the necessary body moisture is retained. In addition, it is believed that brown rice and some other steamed cereals lose much less B vitamins than boiled ones.

It is possible to cook almost any steamed product, starting with vegetables and fruits, cereals and ending with meat and fish delicacies. Meatballs, egg and seafood dishes, meatballs, meatballs, cakes are excellent for steaming. As well as desserts such as muffins, stews and even cakes.

Today, there are many different devices for cooking steam dishes. They differ in functionality, volume and number of dishes prepared simultaneously. But all of them are united by a common principle of action: the water in the container boils, and the food located in a special basket, or in another container, is heated under the influence of steam and prepared.

The cooking time of steam products is slightly shorter than those prepared with roasting and boiling. In addition, the method is recommended as simpler. Here it is not necessary to constantly monitor the cooking process: the products do not burn and do not boil, in addition, it is not necessary to turn them over, which is another important advantage of this method.

There are many ways to steam. Consider the three most common.

Method 1. A common skillet half filled with water and a strainer covered with a lid on the top can quickly become a true double boiler. This method of steam cooking is recommended in case of infrequent cooking of steam dishes. The advantages include the budget method, its availability for all.

Method 2. A double boiler purchased at a store is an improved version of the first method. The device comes with a pan with a special insert: a perforated food container. A great advantage: the lid fits perfectly to the device, which maintains the temperature necessary for the rapid preparation of any food, even slow cooking.

Method 3. An electric double boiler is the most convenient and popular type of double boiler. Nowadays you can find electric vapors designed for different volumes and the amount of dishes prepared simultaneously. In these wonderful devices, you can cook 3 dishes in just 30 minutes: for example, fish, garnish and muffins. The electric vapors are turned off when the water is boiled, they have the function of differing cooking, heating mode, sterilization and many other convenient functions. It all depends on the brand of the device and its price category.

Useful properties of steamed foods.

Steam-prepared foods allow you to establish a complete and balanced diet for the whole family in a short period of time. The dishes in a double boiler are bright, beautiful and attractive. They retain a large amount of vitamins and minerals, leaving natural moisture, which allows these products to be absorbed more easily by the body without irritating the gastrointestinal tract.

Steam dishes are especially recommended for people suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous exhaustion, and are shown to all who are often in a state of increased nervous tension.

Vapor does not contain heavy metal impurities, which are often found in hard chlorinated water. So, the dishes are healthier than the boiled ones.

Nutritionists argue that steam dishes have a beneficial effect on the condition of hair, skin and nails. These dishes are indicated for people with diseases of the cardiovascular system, as well as for their prevention, since they do not contain large amounts of cholesterol and toxins.