Boiled or Steamed What is the Difference?

steaming

One healthy way to cook is using water. Water is used to boil and steam many types of foods. From pasta, rice, vegetables to meat this type of cooking leaves those foods in their healthiest cooked forms. No oil or fats are incorporated into the water when cooking in this fashion. What’s the difference between boiling and steaming? Let’s check it out to see.

Boiling Is Effective

Boiling is a unique and effective way of cooking. It is similar to steaming but slightly different. Boiling requires the food to actually sit in the water. You can boil vegetables, meats and seafood. With boiling the taste, look and even a little of the health values are also different from steaming.

Boiling or cooking food directly in the water gives the nutrients a chance to move from the food to the water. It also doesn’t spice up the food nor does it give it that appetizing color. Boiled foods don’t have a lot of flavor because the enhanced flavors are lost in the water. This is known as blanching foods. Also with no added oil or fat you get the fresh flavor of the food instead of the taste of additives. Adding seasoning to your boiled food will help to enhance the flavor.

There are many positives to boiling:

•    It doesn’t require any added fats leaving it a healthier choice

•    It’s easy; it doesn’t require hovering over the stove for hours

•    It takes those tough pieces of meat and makes them tender

•    It is perfect for large scale cooking

Steam is Unique

To steam foods is to boil water causing it to evaporate into a fine mist. The steam and not the water is what cook the food. Something important to remember when steaming is that you are not putting the food directly in water. The food is suspended over the top the water letting the steam rise up to cook the food. For those who are watching there calories and fats, steaming is a very effective way to cook food and make it healthy. .

Steaming basically eliminates the opportunity to over cook the food. Steaming foods is a slow method of cooking so if the food is left longer than need be, the steam will not have cooking power to over cook the food. Steaming uses a lot more energy than any other cooking method. If steam is cooking the food it must stay at a constant stable temperature to cook through.

Most cooks only use the steam method of cooking for vegetables but some meats can be steamed. Beef, pork and even chicken can be steamed. It gives it a very different taste that some may not like. Seafood is a very common food to be steamed. Fish does very well and even shrimp taste wonderful.

As you can see there are few differences when it comes to boiling or steaming those foods. Yet both are an effective unique way of cooking. Grab a steamer or fill a pot with water and see for yourself just how great they both can be.

Choosing the Right Containers for the Job

pastacontainer

pastacontainerContainers help to organize our foods and keep foods stored properly. Containers are a useful tool for any home. It is so much easier to walk into the kitchen after a long day and be able to find exactly what you’re looking for. Containers can help you do this. The right containers can also help in storing your foods safely for long term.

Choosing the right containers is vital for foods. It keeps them fresh, easy to find and is essential in keeping foods safe for our families to enjoy. They also help to save time and money. These tips can help in deciding just which containers are the right ones for your food needs.

In the Freezer

Freezer burn is one of the worst things that can happen to foods stored in the freezer. Freezer burn occurs when thousands of tiny water molecules turn into ice crystals within the food. This event causes the food to loose moisture and to have the “parched” look. Not only does the water escape and freeze, but also, oxygen gets into the pores of your food, causing the once-bright color to fade and the flavor to dissipate. Proper storage in containers fit for the freezer will help to reduce the amount of freezer burn your foods endure as well as save you money because less will need to be thrown out.

In the Cabinet or Pantry

Storing food in the open can be a risky business without a proper container. Many foods, in a non-refrigerated setting, can go bad well before their expiration date and will not show any signs of such until the day you go to get them out and the smell is rancid. Having the right container makes it possible to keep foods longer and to keep your products organized.

Choosing the Right Containers

There are a few basic rules to follow when choosing and purchasing containers.

Air tight is important. Make sure your container has a good locking mechanism and a rubber seal that goes around to seal out air and moisture. This will slow the process of spoiling and also keep the contents inside fresh for a longer period of time.

Size makes a difference. The more sizes you have, the less space you waste. By filling a container up as much as possible, there is less room for air inside the container, which is what aids in the breakdown process. Not to mention, having different sizes, makes it convenient to stack, store and save different products; there is no reason to keep raisins in a container meant to hold spaghetti.

They must be easy to mark. A surface that is easy to mark, erase, and mark again is extremely important. Having a good writing surface makes it easy to label what is in each container, especially if the containers are not translucent. This also aids in organizing your pantry and freezer since you can put like items together and even alphabetize them if you would like.

Whether it’s a plastic container, a jar or a zip lock bag containers do make a difference in the kitchen. Head to the store and buy some containers for your kitchen. They don’t have to be expensive or fancy to meet the criteria listed above. They just have to make your life in the kitchen easier.