Steaming: Method and Recipes
Steaming Recipes
Bao
(Chinese steamed, filled buns)
Bao, also known as baozi, are pillowy, soft buns that are either steamed or baked. They come with a variety of fillings and are a common item in dim sum shops. Bao are a favorite breakfast or mid-morning snack. Read more »
Cranberry Pudding
(American steamed Christmas pudding)
This steamed pudding is popular on the American Christmas table. Flame it with rum and serve it with eggnog sauce for an extra treat. Read more »
Khao Niao Mamuang
(Thai sweet coconut rice with mangoes)
This luscious dessert is a form of rice pudding that is paired with mangos at the peak of their ripeness. Sweet and rich, khao niao mamuang is a favorite way to finish any Thai meal. Read more »
Law Bok Gow
(Chinese steamed radish cake)
Law bok gow is a favorite Cantonese dim sum treat, especially popular during Chinese New Year celebrations. Usually called daikon, turnip or radish cake in English, it is really more of a savory pudding. The recipe below is very basic, but law bok gow is normally studded with savory garnishes and lightly fried on both sides until golden brown. Sometimes spelled lo bark goh. Read more »
Nacatamales
(Honduran, Nicaraguan meat and vegetable-filled tamales)
Nacatamales, are popular steamed corncakes from Nicaragua and Honduras. They are similar to Mexican tamales but are larger, filled with meat and vegetables and steamed in banana leaves. Nacatamales are special occasion food and are most often served as a Sunday morning meal or at Christmas, weddings and other large celebrations. Read more »
Nasu
(Japanese steamed, sliced eggplant)
This dish can be served as part of an assortment of sashimi. Sashimi is normally made with raw fish, but this is a delightful vegetarian substitute with an interesting texture.
Siu Mai
(Chinese steamed pork and shrimp dumplings)
Siu mai (SHOO-my), or shaomai, are popular little steamed dumplings from southeastern China. They are sold by shops as a quick snack food or from carts in dim sum restaurants as part of a larger menu selection. Read more »
Tamales de Elote
(Central American fresh corncakes)
Tamales de elote are a favorite breakfast food in Mexico and throughout Central America. In El Salvador and Guatemala they are often served as the starchy portion of a meal. The fresh elote, or corn, used in Central America has a higher starch content than that in the United States, but the addition of masa harina in this recipe produces a very good approximation of the original. Read more »
Tamales de Pollo
(Mexican steamed corncakes with chicken)
Tamales are a staple of Central American cuisine. At their simplest, they are masa corn dough wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves and steamed in a large pot — the tamalera. Most tamales have some sort of stuffing. There are thousands of varieties of tamales, and each region has its own specialty. This simple recipe makes tamales stuffed with chicken in tomatillo sauce. Feel free to experiment with your own stuffings. Read more »
