Steam cooking?

[Boondocker]

Anyone big on steam cooking? I have been thinking about getting one of the dohickies to take with me on the road. Are they worth the bother? Which type is the best? Recipes?

[easyride]

Are you talking about steam cooking or pressure cooking ? Dave

[CanoeStream]

We've had a backpacking-type steamer -- grid in the bottom of the pot where you put water; food cooks in special plastic bags. Results for that type were underwhelming. Any prep involving softening vegetables in a bit of EVOO was out of the question. Or imagine cornbread that's a bit soggy and without a crusty top. I should have tried tamales, right?!

[Boondocker]

Originally Posted by easyride

Are you talking about steam cooking or pressure cooking ? Dave

Steam

[Boondocker]

Originally Posted by CanoeStream

We've had a backpacking-type steamer -- grid in the bottom of the pot where you put water; food cooks in special plastic bags. Results for that type were underwhelming. Any prep involving softening vegetables in a bit of EVOO was out of the question. Or imagine cornbread that's a bit soggy and without a crusty top. I should have tried tamales, right?!

I was thinking down the lines of veggies and maybe fish. But the point about altitude is well taken.

[ArtStream]

Originally Posted by Boondocker

Anyone big on steam cooking? I have been thinking about getting one of the dohickies to take with me on the road. Are they worth the bother? Which type is the best? Recipes?

Rodney,

Is this the doohickey? Seems a bit pricey !

Amazon.com: Miele : DG4082SS 24in Steam Oven with Convection Steam Cooking - Clean Touch Steel: Kitchen & Dining

Michael

[Janet H]

I'm a big fan of steaming on the stove. Using a steamer insert that sits on top of your pot allows double duty cooking. You can for instance cook rice or pasta in the pot and then add a steamer on top for veggies or fish. Here's the one I use - it also serves as a colander to drain stuff.

All-Clad Steamer Insert, 8&#34 x 3½&#34 deep

[easyride]

Any kind of a pot with a metal strainer [that will keep food out of water] will work,a little water in the bottom,[place a nickel in the bottom,when it quits clicking,you are out of water]veggies in the strainer,lid on top. No need for big bucks for a steamer.We also use this method for seafood,though I`ve never tried it on fish. Dave

[Lily&Me]

We have used the little steamer inserts in saucepans for vegetables with great success.

Being storage-space challenged in our Interstate, we are always looking for space-economical everything and like the Ziploc Zip 'n' Steam bags for traveling. They come in two sizes, with a few recipes, you can cook vegetables or fish in them, also reheat leftovers/rice in the microwave---- or in a saucepan if boondocking. We especially like them for leftovers because they assume only the space and shape of what is in them, very important with a small refrigerator.

As you have to throw them away rather than reuse, they are not terribly "green", but what they are is space-saving (in storage and in use) and leave no dish to wash.

Maggie

[loudruff]

I carry an electric rice cooker. It cooks the rice and then switches to warm mode on its own. It makes perfect rice and then keeps it warm til I am ready. It has a nice steamer basket on the top that does a nice job of steaming fish or veggies, to put with the rice! I think you could do pasta in the bottom although we have not tried it out for that yet.
This is only one of my four trusty appliances. I carry a large crockpot, an electric skillet and an electric griddle besides. I am planning on adding a very small crockpot to my collection..for dips etc.

[TomW]

Originally Posted by Boondocker

Anyone big on steam cooking? ...

No.

I tried that long ago, and decided it wasn't worth the effort.

Nutrionally, I think one can accomplish the same goal by boiling vegetables with less water.

Fish is more palatable under the broiler, or on top of the grill.

My preference is fried... in bacon grease.

If nothing else, the device linked to above needs a dishwasher to clean effectively. Not good for Boondockers.

Tom

[AirsDream]

I've tried steamer (works pretty good) and pressure cooker (works fine but takes a lot of energy ... just cooks stuff faster and works well at altitude), but now have one of these gizmos Amazon.com: Thermos Thermal Cooker RPC-4500 4.5L Thermo Pot: Kitchen & Dining - and it's terrific. There's a thread on here about them somewhere.

You can whip up e.g. a beef stew or a hearty soup or chili, put it in the pot (much like a crock pot but no electricity) clap on the lid, drive to a new location or go for a day long hike, and when you come back, dinner's ready. Pricey, but I love it.

[WineStream]

I have a small rice cooker that has a removable basket on top for steaming veggies or fish. Obviously I use it for rice all the time and have made quinoa, barley, and oatmeal as well. I've used the top basket for green beans and broccoli and have always been happy with it.

I also have one of the metal inserts that goes in a regular pot, but I much prefer the rice cooker.

I love that rice cooker so much that I'm already thinking about upgrading to a bigger one in the airstream.

[Chasmorgan]

Check out cancooker.com. Came across it in a hunting/fishing magazine. Looks interesting and fairly inexpensive.