We all know that eating healthy is part of healthy living. But many of us forget that cooking wisely is also part of the equation. So don't let all that dieting, slimming exercise, jogging and gym workout go to waste by eating unhealthy and oily food that we so very often cook at home or 'take away" from the fast food outlets.

In steam cooking or steaming, the boiling water never comes in contact with the food. Heat from the steam is gentle and uniform. It slowly diffuses through the food and let the food cook in its own juice thus minimizing loss of nutrients and retaining its texture and flavor.

The easiest and all-purpose method for cooking meat, vegetables, fruits, pasta etc. is to suspend the food over boiling water.

Another method is to seal the food in wax paper or in bamboo or banana leaves and place on a perforated vessel over boiling water. This is used for marinated food recipes and allow the food to cook in its own juice.

In the Chinese traditional method of steaming rice, the rice is placed in a container containing water or chicken stock. It is then cooked over steam until the liquid is absorbed and the rice cooked to perfection.

One of the biggest benefits of steam cooking or steaming is that you can simultaneously cook various food items on different perforated tiers using the same steam thus saving precious energy, time and effort.

Why not start on a fresh note today and go back to the basics and rediscover the benefits of steam cooking. Steam cooking is not something new but has been around for centuries. Forget about micro-waves or pressure cookers or electric steamers for steam cooking can be done with just a covered pot placed over a heat source. You don't need any elaborate and expensive utensils and the benefits you get is good for you and for your health.

Here are my 10 reasons why steam cooking is the best:

1. Retains food valuable nutrients, vitamins and minerals

2. Maintains food moisture and freshness

3. Keeps food vibrant colors and natural flavors

4. Softens food fibres, making food tender and easily digestible

5. Discard the need for cooking oil or fat, resulting in light and healthy meals

6. Cooks almost all kinds of food from vegetables to meats to seafood to fruits and pasta

7. Cooks food fast and easy - cooks a complete meal in just under 30 minutes

8. Cooks over a single heat source a load of different layers of food stacked one on top of the other - saves time, energy and money

9. Keeps your kitchen clean - no oil, no smoke, no mess - cleaning up is easy.

10. Keeps everyone happy and healthy with loads of recipes for delicious and nutritious steamed dishes

You can cook almost all kinds of food with steam cooking. From vegetables to meat, to poultry, to seafoods, to fruits and pasta.

Steam cooking is simple and you need not use oil or fat to cook your food. With steam cooking, you can prepare light and healthy meals. And cleaning up is a breeze as there is no oil, no smoke and no mess.

Do's

1. Do ensure you cover the steamer or pot or saucepan with a tight fitting lid.
2. Do keep an eye on the cooking time: the heat during cooking is intense and it is easy to overcook. Become familiar with the various periods needed to cook each type of food.

Don'ts

1. Do not let the boiling water or stock touch the steaming equipment.
2. Do not let the water or liquid boil dry. Check the level every 15 to 20 minutes and top up with water or stock as required.
3. Do not leave food in the steamer after cooking, even with the heat turned off, as it will continue to cook and possibly overcooked or spoil your food.

Ingredients:

• 2 pcs crabs (about 1 kg)
• 1 piece of onion (sliced)
• 1 can of your favorite beer
• 1 egg york
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 2 slices of ginger
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• a dash of pepper powder
• 1 stalk coriander (minced)
• a few drops of sesame oil
• 1 stalk spring onions (shredded) for garnish

Method:

1. Clean the crabs and cut into halves or quarters.
2. Heat up cooking oil and fry the onion until fragrant.
3. In a steamer saucepan, add the fried onion, crabs, beer and the rest of the ingredients. Steam for 10 minutes.
4. Top with shredded spring onion and serve.

You can just use light soy sauce, spring onion and celery to steam cook your fish. Here is a more elaborate recipe for steamed fish.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium-size fish (cleaned and washed)
• 1 thin slice fresh ginger (cut into strips)
• 2 black mushrooms (soaked in wam water to soften & shredded
• 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
• dash of sesame seed oil
• 1 stalk spring onion (sliced)
• dash of oyster sauce
• salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. Place fish on steaming tray and season with salt and pepper
2. Mix sesame seed oil, oyster sauce and light soy sauce together
3. Heat a pan with a little vegetable oil and stir-fry the mushrooms
4. Pour in mixed sauces and stir
5. Dish out and pour over fish
6. Sprinkle sliced ginger over fish
7. Put tray in a steamer, cover and steam for about 10 minutes. (Water should be boiling when you put in the tray)
8. When fish is cooked, remove from steamer and garnish with sliced spring onions and serve hot.

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 50 gm brown sugar
• 75 ml milk
• 100 gm self-raising flour
• 1 teaspoon of corn oil or vegetable oil
• honey or golden syrup for topping

Method:

1. Beat eggs in bowl and stir in sugar and milk
2. Add flour and mix well
3. Add oil into the batter
4. Pour batter into a greased container and steam for 30 minutes
5. Remove hot cake from container, cut into squares or triangles.
6. Serve hot or cold with golden syrup or honey.

Ingredients:

• 3 egg whites (beaten lightly)
• 3 salted eggs (hardboiled and sliced)
• 3 preserved egss (boiled and sliced)
• 1/4 cup chicken stock

Method:

1. Mix all the eggs together and stock
2. Pour into greased tray and steam for 20 minutes
3. Serve hot or cold

Note:

Very high in cholesterol and salt. Enjoy only once in a blue moon. It's delicious and one of my favorites. Goes very well with rice porridge.

http://hubpages.com/_p15zzdc333va/hub/10-Reasons-Why-Steam-Cooking-Is-Good-For-You