Has anyone ever steamed fish in a bamboo steamer? I need details...

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dawnnys

Well-known member
I've never used my bamboo steamer - do I wrap the fish AND liquids in parchment paper first? (If not wrapped, the liquid will fall right through the slats!)

Do I tightly wrap the fish, or do I just lay it on the paper? Then, I assume I put the steamer over a smaller pot of boiling water? Or do I use a screen? I put the steamer top on to capture the steam, I'm guessing. This is all new to me (if you can't already tell)...

 
I just put the fish in an uncovered dish. Just make sure that

there is at least 1 inch of space between the dish and the side of the steamer. Unless you have a pot that the steamer fits tightly on top, just like a lid does, you will be better off using a wok.
Just add as much liquid as you can to the wok, without touching the slats of the basket, bring to a boil and place the steamer in the wok. Check the water level several times the first few times you use it. Bamboo smoked food does not taste good, I know from experience. Your house won't smell great either.
And yes you cover the steamer with it's lid.
If you are not cooking the food in liquid then you can line the basket with any leafy vegetable like lettuce, cabbage, swiss chard and I have even used carrots, celery and onions to make a bed in the steamer. It all depends on what food you are cooking.

 
Yes, I have cooked fish in my bamboo steamer using parchment paper to keep liquids in

and I have done it without. Here is a nice, concise site to help you. By the way, your steamer should have come with a little brochure giving you instructions. I got mine at a garage sale, brand new and the brochure was still inside.

 
I bought mine at a garage sale too, but it had no instructions. It's only about 5 inches

across, and I don't have a wok, so I'll give it a try like you both suggested. If it stinks, I'll throw it out and use my rice steamer. Thanks.

 
How big is the steamer?

You can wrap the fish in parchment with ginger, green onion, a little sesame oil, and soy sauce. Place the package, seams up on the steamer or on a heat-proof plate. If the steamer is a small one that goes too deep in your wok you can cris-cross chopsticks to make a rack. Cover the steamer, add water to the wok just below the level of the bamboo and bring to a boil. Allow to steam until done, according to the size of your fish.

Don't throw the steamer away! You can use it for so many other dishes!

 
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