Dinnertime Sizzles with Stacking Bamboo Steamers

Using a bamboo steamer for cooking is a great way to retain the natural vitamins and color of your food, especially with vegetables. Best of all bamboo steamers are all purpose. You can steam grains, breads, meats and desserts, too. Even leftovers can be reheated by steaming them on a serving plate placed in the steaming compartment. Bamboo Steamers save you time and effort by steaming your entire meal at once.

A bamboo steamer is a beautiful addition to your kitchen décor as well. The heavenly bamboo color and raw natural look add grace and texture to any kitchen. In fact all your beautiful bamboo kitchen items look great on display, such as bamboo placemats, bamboo cutting boards, and graceful bamboo vases.

Probably the most incredible attribute of bamboo steamers is their stackablity. You can easily steam an entire meal at one time. Just do the following:

1. Use separate steamer compartments for the different food types: vegetables, meats, grains, breads, and desserts.
2. It is best to use a wok to produce the steam, but if you don't have one, you can use any pot or pan that is slightly smaller in diameter than your bamboo steamer.
3. Stack the compartments of your bamboo steamer in order of longest to steam on the bottom, and fastest to steam on the top. For example, if you are steaming chicken, broccoli and buns, place the chicken in the bottom compartment, the broccoli in the middle compartment and the buns on the top. This is because the steam is hottest as it leaves the pan on the bottom and cools slightly on the way up the stack.
4. Tip: You can revitalize two-day old bread and buns by steaming them this way.
5. When you are filling the steamer compartments, place leaves of green such as lettuce or spinach beneath items that tend to stick, like chicken and buns. If you don't have greens, use parchment paper or foil, but always remember to leave portions of the tray uncovered for the steam to rise through the compartments.
6. Tip: If you put aromatic herbs and spices in the water for steaming, you will not only permeate the food with their scent and taste, you will also fill your home with the succulent scent of delicious food. As an added bonus, your left over water will make great soup stock!
7. Cleaning your bamboo steamer is simple. As long as you don't let your food stick to the trays, just rinse with warm water. If a little sticking has occurred, use a very mild soap in the water and be sure to rinse well. DO NOT ever place your steamer in the dishwasher.
8. Store your bamboo steamer in a well ventilated area so it stays good-smelling and ready to use!

Bamboo steamers are durable, lovely, and easy to use. My bamboo steamer and my bamboo wind chimes were passed down to me by my mother when she downsized at retirement. If you care for it properly, your grandchildren will be able to enjoy your bamboo steamer!