Preparing Porcelain and Pyrex for Steaming

Occasionally foods are placed within steamers in porcelain or Pyrex dishes to cook and serve on. These dishes must first be seasoned, or tempered.

Fill the wok with 5 to 6 cups of cold water. Place a cake rack inside and pile up dishes to be prepared on the rack, making certain they are completely covered by the cold water. Cover with a wok cover and bring the water to a boil. Let the water boil for 10 minutes, turn off heat, and allow the wok to cool to room temperature. The dishes are then seasoned and can be placed in steamers without fear that they will crack. They may be used in place of steamers themselves. The foods are placed in the tempered dishes, which are in turn placed on cake racks in the wok. Cover and steam as in process just described.