Delicious foods cooked in a double boiler preserve maximum vitamins, trace elements and appetizing appearance!
There is an opinion that a steamer is only suitable for creating dietary dishes with taste qualities, to say the least, an amateur. In fact, a well-equipped unit allows you to prepare a variety of second courses from fresh products and frozen semi-finished products, soups and any side dishes, including rice, potatoes and even "whimsical" broccoli inflorescences. Add the ability to cook eggs and cereals, cooking soufflé, creams and sauces - get a full menu! A delicious product cooked in a double boiler will also please your guests, because all the food has preserved its vitamins.
Compact for beginners
At your choice three types of models - compact, full-sized solos and embedded. A compact and inexpensive electric steamer the size of a large saucepan is useful in the kitchen as a help if you, only occasionally cook for a couple or just decided to try. The compact models of steamers Moulinex, Braun and others are popular. The design is simple: from below the heating element and the water tank, from the top 1-2 containers for products with steam outlets and a dense lid. It is enough to pour about a liter of water, load the ingredients, cover and set the timer at the right time.
Then you can forget about the steamer for 30-40 minutes, depending on the recipe: the unit will notify you with a sound signal that the dish is ready. If desired, you can watch the process, stirring and turning over the products, adding salt and spices. Only gently open the lid: the temperature of the steam is 100 ° C.
When choosing a compact steamer, pay attention to the fact that you have the opportunity to add water during cooking: if there is an external hole, the device does not have to be "disassembled", removing the top container to add water. Preferred model with containers of non-dyeing plastic, which does not leave any traces, for example, from beets and carrots.
Solo-steamer for experienced
Most of the solo-steamers are arranged approximately the same way: a "floor" design with a bottom heater, a water tank with a level indicator and an external hopper for topping, a timer, 3-4 tanks and a universal cover suitable for each one.
Their principle of operation does not differ from compact analogs: water heats up, steam envelops and quickly brings food to completion. At the same time, solo-steamers are equipped with better compact steamers, are functional and safe to use. Using this design, delicious products cooked in a double boiler will enchant your home and guests.
The most affordable for the model Scarlett, Vitek, Tefal, expensive stand Philips, Bosh, Kenwood, etc.
Luxurious built-in
Embedded models look like a microwave or an oven - it's a solid and expensive technique.
Built-in steamer does not take up space on the table, it has a huge volume, sufficient for cooking dinner for a large family, allows you to use the usual dishes, not the trays from the kit. Built-in models are equipped with baking trays for stewing dishes in marinade or filling. They have a maximum of useful functions, and water and electricity consume little more than a solo steamer.
Interesting new items appeared in Bosch, Teka and Miele. You get a full set of automatic programs - from 75 to 120, touch control, the ability to adjust the steam temperature from 35 to 100C for gentle cooking and preserving the texture of the product, delayed start, heating mode and security system.
For example, the Gaggenau model provides for full automation of the preparation and connection to the drain for self-cleaning, and the new Miele DG 5080 allows you to store your recipes in the device's memory, has the function of reducing the amount of steam: at the end of the cooking process, the steamer opens the door, releases steam, closes automatically.
Relatives of a double boiler
Multivarkers, pressure cookers, rice cookers, cooks - all of them in their design and purpose are closely related to the steam cooker. With their help, you can also boil, stew and bake products.
Rice cook Kenwood rc417. It is intended not only for cooking rice, but also for vegetables. It is completed with a bowl with non-stick coating. Has cooking and heating modes. Disconnected automatically.
Multiwire Panasonic SR-TMH18. The device with a 4.5-l volume pan with non-stick coating and a container-steamer. Suitable for steaming, steaming and baking, and Slow cook for quenching can cope even with hard meat.
Steamer-blender Philips Avent SCF870 / 22. The 2 in 1 device allows you to steam and grind food in one container in a matter of minutes - just turn it upside down and turn on the other mode. Convenient to use. Ideal for cooking baby food.