Basic Steamed Fowl Recipes

EASY STEAM CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place chicken and salt in a bowl. Evenly rub salt into chicken. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Rinse chicken and place in a pot fitted with a steamer basket over water. Bring water to a boil, and steam chicken until juices run clear, about 30 minutes.
• Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in onion and cook until tender. Mix in garlic, and cook about 1 minute. Stir in soy sauce and sesame oil, and remove from heat. Scoop over the chicken to serve. Garnish with cilantro.

SIMPLEST STEAMED FISH

Steps:

• Put at least 1 inch of water in the bottom of a steamer, cover and bring to a boil. Lay the fish on the steamer's rack, making sure the rack is elevated above the water, and cover again. Steam 4 to 8 minutes, or until the fish is done. (A good-size halibut steak may take 10 or even 12 minutes.)
• Remove the fish to a warm platter and drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Cut into serving portions, sprinkle with coarse salt and serve.

STEAMED SHRIMP

Steps:

• Set a steamer basket into a heavy saucepan and pour in enough water, so the steamer basket sits just on top of the water without touching it. Remove steamer basket and bring water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, butterfly the shrimp with a sharp paring knife, carefully running the knife 1 inch down the bottom of the shrimp without cutting all the way through. Press shrimp open.
• Set shrimp into the steamer basket and sprinkle with salt. Set steamer basket over the boiling water (shrimp should not touch the water).
• Steam shrimp until they are bright pink on the outside and the meat is opaque, carefully moving shrimp around using tongues so they cook evenly, about 5 minutes.
• Serve immediately or chill for later use.

SIMPLE STEAMED MUSSELS

Steps:

• Place a cast-iron enameled Dutch oven over high heat and add the olive oil. Add the onions, garlic and butter and briefly cook until the onion softens, 2 to 3 minutes, then stir in the chili flakes. Add the mussels, Chardonnay and chicken stock. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook until all of the mussels have opened, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the lid then add the parsley.
• Preheat a grill pan over medium heat. Brush the bread slices with olive oil on both sides. Grill until toasted on both sides, 30 seconds per side.
• Serve the mussels with a rustic piece of grilled bread.

BASIC STEAMED FOWL

Steps:

• 1. Place chicken in a large heatproof bowl. Add mushrooms, whole, along with water. 2. Steam 2 hours. (See HOW-TO, _Steaming.) Add salt to taste. This chicken can be served hot or cold. When using it for cold dishes, remove skin, slice meat thin and serve either in salads or with dips for white-cut chicken. (Search for "Category: White-Cooked or Roast Chicken Dips".) NOTE: A larger bird, steamed slowly 3 to 4 hours in 8 cups of water, makes a dish that's nutritious and easily digestible for expectant mothers, convalescents and small children. The Thousand Recipe Chinese Cookbook. ©1994 by Gloria Bley Miller.