Steam fish at home without the fancy gadgets.
Steaming is one of the healthiest ways to cook fish. Because it involves no added fat, you get the pure protein goodness of the fish without any added calories. Steamed tilapia is healthy and delicious. Add as much flavor as you like, or keep it bland (read: kid-friendly) by seasoning the liquid only and not the fish directly.
Tips For Steaming Fish
Steaming is cooking with steam, which is produced by boiling liquid in the bottom of a saucepan and letting the heat cook your fish. The fish does not come into contact with the liquid - only the steam. Steaming is one of the easiest ways to cook fish when you follow some simple guidelines:
- Include an acid ingredient in the cooking liquid. This could be lemon juice or a nice balsamic vinegar.
- Consider seasoning the fish directly with herbs, spices, ginger, shallots, or your favorite sauce.
- Bring two inches of liquid to a boil before placing the fish in position.
- Place the fish on a rack or in a steamer basket to prevent it from coming into contact with the liquid.
- Cover and cook until fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
If you don’t have a steamer rack or basket, you can place fish portions between two plates and put this over a saucepan of boiling liquid. This method retains every last bit of the fish’s natural juices and flavor, and its especially nice when you want to savor the subtle taste of a fish without any seasoning. I like mine with lots of flavor, but some people (especially little people) like foods that taste like nothing.
Snazz Up Your Steamed Fish
There are many ways to dress up a steamed fish. A lot of people use bouillon in the steaming liquid, which is a great option if plan to serve the steamed fish with a sauce. You can make a simple one by reducing the liquid after the fish is cooked.
Steaming in seaweed is another way to prepare the fish that adds some unique flavor, but it might not be a great option if you’re trying to get kids to eat the final product. Ginger is a traditional favorite for adding a bit of flavor to fish, while also cutting down on any fishy cooking odors in the kitchen.
Oh my gosh - I just thought of something really awful: steamed tilapia with ketchup! It’s gross but I can’t think of a kid who wouldn’t go for it! You do what you have to, right?
How about you? How do you like your steamed fish? Share your creative ideas in the comments!
