Steamers

Bamboo steamers are among the most ancient of Chinese cooking utensils. These attractive, basket-like bamboo steamers come in several sizes; the 25-cm/10-in size is the most suitable for home use. Bamboo steamers are filled with food and placed on top of a pot or over a wok of boiling water. One of the advantages of the design is that several steamers can be stacked on top of one another. Bamboo steamers can be bought at Asian speciality markets and at cookware and department stores. (Alternatively, any kind of wide, metal steamer can be used.) Before using a bamboo steamer for the first time, wash it and steam it empty for about 5 minutes.