Steamer

All-purpose Indian steamers are made of stainless steel with stacked trays that can be fit into grooves inside the main vessel; the lid is vented to allow some of the steam to escape. Food to be steamed is put on plates that are then set on top of the trays. A bamboo steamer will work for these recipes if you put the food on a plate before putting it in the steamer tray. For idlis, steamed rice cakes, you’ll need an idli stand to fit into a steamer pot.