From crisp, fresh-tasting vegetables to juicier, more succulent roasts, steam cooking can elevate your meals to the next level. There are countless advantages compared to traditional oven cooking or frying, and it doesn't take the skills of a top chef to achieve amazing results. Here's why a steam oven could be your favorite new kitchen appliance.
How Do Steam Ovens Work?
Simply put, steam ovens cook your food as you would expect an oven to, but also add a mist of steam into the cavity. The steam circulates your food, making the heat moist (rather than dry as in a conventional oven). The results speak for themselves. Meat tastes juicier, vegetables are crisper, and they retain more of their nutrients and vitamins. You may even notice crisper crusts on bread.
What Can I Cook with a Steam Oven?
Almost anything! Many people mistakenly believe that steam can only be used to cook vegetables, but there are a whole host of dishes and ingredients that are perfect for steam cooking. With the Ciarra Nosh Oven, you also benefit from quicker cooking times. For example, green beans and carrots are up to 50% quicker steamed, and potatoes up to 35% faster.
Steam Cooking Meat and Fish
You can use steam cooking for most types of meat and fish, often in less time than traditional oven cooking. Whether it's a quick weekday dinner or a Sunday roast, try steam cooking for your next meal. For example, steam-cooking roast beef results in an even more tender joint. Another benefit of steam cooking is that it helps melt fats in proteins such as meat and fish, letting them run out rather than cooking them into the finished dish.
Steam Cooking Vegetables
There are many ways to cook and serve vegetables, but steam cooking excels in keeping the nutrients intact and is perfect for veggies that are best served al dente – such as broccoli and asparagus. Steaming is a gentler way to cook vegetables, which means they retain more of their flavor and vitamins. It's also often more energy-efficient than boiling or roasting.
Steam Cooking Bread
It may sound strange, but adding steam while baking bread helps to develop a crisp, crunchy crust. Many master bakers add steam to their ovens while baking – especially for traditionally crusty bread like baguettes. The moisture settling on the outside of the bread means the crust develops at the ideal rate while the inside of the loaf cooks to a perfectly soft crumb. Steaming in the oven ensures a good rise on your dough, specifically using the steam function in the Ciarra Nosh Oven.
Improved Flavor and Texture
Steam ovens are known for their ability to lock in flavor, so you can be as creative as you wish with your dishes. Try a tray of chicken and vegetables, or even fish with lemon and your favorite herbs and spices, and discover new dimensions to your favorite dishes.
Healthier Dishes
Steam helps reduce the fat from proteins like chicken and fish instead of locking them into the dish, which lowers the overall amount of cholesterol you consume. Steam cooking also retains vitamins while cooking meat, fish, bread, and vegetables without using oil.
Reduced Fat and Sodium
When you cook with steam, any sodium in the food starts to be drawn out into the water, which means less sodium in the final dish. Plus, because the food is cooked at a lower temperature while steaming, there is less need for oils and butter. Overall, this results in a healthier, lower-calorie, and lower-sodium dish.
Conclusion
Incorporating steam cooking into your culinary routine offers numerous health benefits and enhances the flavor and texture of your dishes. With the Ciarra Nosh Oven, you can enjoy quicker cooking times and a versatile appliance that helps you create healthier, tastier meals effortlessly. Whether you're steaming vegetables, meats or baking bread, the advantages of steam cooking make it a valuable addition to any kitchen.