Steam your way to a lean new you with the magic of steamers!

Whether you’re poaching fish, sealing the goodness into your evening veg or cooking up a succulent chicken breast, steamers are the ideal way to cook your way to a healthier diet. Less fat, less mess, less time and MUCH more flavour – steamers are the ultimate kitchen gadget for any food lover. Good steamers can handle multiple food stuffs, such as rice, veg and meats all in one go – without any added stress – meaning that a healthy dinner is just a short steam away.

So how can you make sure that your new steamer is a (ha) steam come true?

The cost of steamers

Firstly, work out how much you can afford when it comes to shopping for steamers. With steamers priced at anywhere between £10 and £100, you are sure to find one that suits your budget – although paying more leads to better features. Think timers, delayed start options and separate compartments, which are just perfect for cooking up an entire meal in one machine.

It’s also worth considering how often you plan on using your steamer; after all, steamers – particularly electric steamers - can be rather slow. Cooking times will surprise those who are used to steaming over a pan, as electric steamers generate far less steam – carrots can take twice as long as normal. And steamers are considered bulky pieces of kitchen equipment; they’re only worth buying if you intend on using them regularly, as banishing them to the back of the kitchen cupboard won’t cut it this time around.

What you can create with steamers

Steamers aren’t just about bland foods – after all, it’s what you, the chef, puts in there that leads to the meal which comes out the other end. Make sure you layer herbs in between your vegetables when cooking, to add some zing.

And try to use your steamers for something a little more exciting than just chicken and fish; why not create sweet dumpling skewers, corn on the cob, Chinese green beans, bacon and parmesan asparagus or even a jam roly poly pudding? The possibilities are endless with steamers; it’s all about letting your creative juices flow! Savvy seafood lovers can also use steamers to create mussels, cockles and plenty more delicious fishy dishes too.