You know, steaming food is somethin’ that’s been around for a long time, especially in places like the Philippines. The way they do it, it’s real simple, but boy, the taste sure packs a punch! I ain’t no fancy cook, but let me tell ya, steaming dishes the Filipino way ain’t hard at all. They steam all sorts of stuff—fish, meat, vegetables, you name it. Makes everything taste real good without all that grease and mess, ya know?
First thing ya gotta know is that steaming is a real healthy way of cookin’. I ain’t no doctor, but it seems to me, steaming keeps all the good stuff in the food, like the vitamins and minerals. When you boil or fry somethin’, some of that good stuff goes right out the window. But steam? That stuff stays locked in there, and the food stays juicy, tender, and full of flavor.
Now, let me tell ya, a popular dish in the Philippines that’s steamed is steamed fish. They got all sorts of fish they like to steam, like pompano or red snapper. And it’s easy, too! Just take your fish, clean it up nice, and put some ginger and soy sauce on it. You don’t need much else—just steam that baby and it’s done! Don’t even need to put no oil in it, which is good for folks like me who don’t want all that extra grease cloggin’ up the pipes, so to speak!
Some folks like to steam other meats too. You got your steamed pork ribs, chicken, and even beef. They all cook up nice in the steam, and the best part is you don’t need to fry ‘em or drown ‘em in oil. Steamin’ keeps ‘em soft and tender, just the way you want ‘em. Now, I know you might be thinkin’ that meat might taste a little plain without all the seasoning, but that ain’t the case. The steam locks in the flavors, and if you season it right with a little ginger, soy sauce, or garlic, it’s just fine.
Let me tell ya, chicken’s one of the best things to steam. You don’t even need to worry about it bein’ dry, ‘cause when you steam chicken, it stays nice and moist. Sometimes, you can even throw in some mushrooms or vegetables like carrots, onions, or bell peppers in the steamer with the chicken. Those veggies get all nice and soft, and the flavor from the chicken seeps right into ‘em. You don’t even need no fancy side dishes, ‘cause the steamed veggies make a perfect pairing with that tender meat.
Steaming ain’t just for meat, though. You can steam all sorts of vegetables, like beans, sweet potatoes, corn, and even greens like spinach or bok choy. The steam helps ‘em keep their natural taste and color, and they stay real crunchy, not mushy like when you boil ‘em. Steamed vegetables are simple, but they sure make a good, healthy side dish to any meal.
Another thing about steaming, it’s quick! You don’t gotta stand over the stove for hours. Set it up, let the steam do the work, and before you know it, your meal’s ready. Ain’t no need for all that fussin’ and messin’ around. Just set it and forget it, as they say.
And hey, don’t forget about rice! They steam rice too, just like they do in China, though they don’t always call it ‘steaming’—they just say they’re cookin’ it. If you got a good rice cooker, you can throw your rice in there, and it’ll steam up perfect every time. It’s the perfect base for your steamed dishes. Get a big bowl of steamed rice, and you can pile on that steamed fish or meat, and you got yourself a real tasty meal.
Steaming food might not sound all that fancy, but once you try it, you’ll see how simple and delicious it can be. So, next time you’re lookin’ for a way to cook your food that’s healthier and quicker, give steaming a try. It’s a good ol’ way of cookin’ that’s been around for generations and still holds up today.
Tags：[steamed dishes, Filipino food, steamed fish, steamed pork, healthy cooking, steaming vegetables, Filipino recipes, easy cooking, steamed chicken, quick meals, steamed rice, ginger soy sauce]