I read a recipe in the print version of The Nest the other day for ginger steamed cod (I can’t find the recipe online, otherwise I’d link to it – but here’s something similar from Martha Stewart). The basic idea is that you shred some ginger, layer it over some spinach (or some other type of leafy stuff) in the bottom of your bamboo steamer, and then place the cod on top and steam for 4-6 minutes (until kinda opaque). Here’s the thing – I have a bamboo steamer…that I have never used it because I’m ever-so-slightly afraid. I’m not AFRAID afraid (what’s the worst that can happen? I end up with something inedible. Yawn.) It’s more that since I’ve never steamed anything before, I keep putting off the big steam debut.

Yes, I bought a lovely two-tier bamboo steamer without a clear purpose in mind. I like adding to my kitchen arsenal, even if I don’t fully understand the tools at the point of purchase (there’s always the opportunity to research later). But I did know that steaming food is a healthy method of prep. According to Williams-Sonoma, steaming has multiple benefits such as preserving food shape, texture, and flavor. Additionally, since you don’t need to add oil, you reduce the fat content of the final meal. Yummier food that delights with look, feel and flavor, with less fat? Ok! <humming “Steam It” to the tune of “Beat It”>

My bamboo steamer has two tiers, as I already mentioned (proudly), which is ideal for steaming entire meals in one go. Items that take longer to cook go on the bottom, and items that cook quickly go on the top. The idea is that less steam reaches the top, and anyway, if that part cooks quicker, you can just remove it. Every single item I’ve ever read on steaming in a bamboo steamer specifies that the water level has to remain below the lowest basket bottom (no water in with the food, just steam, please), and to not let it all boil away. So it seems worth mentioning. I’d guess that you could severely dry your food (or ignite your bamboo) if you leave it go, and you’ll just end up boiling your food if you let it get too high. So for what it’s worth, be aware of the level of your water.

I delight at the idea that everything can be cooked all at once in a super efficient (and healthy!) way. Who wouldn’t? <humming “Steam On” to the tune of “Dream on”> So now I just have to figure out how to cook in it, and, more specifically, what to cook in it. This recipe that popped up on Yummly looks good: http://www.yummly.com/recipe/Ginger-Steamed-Salmon-Recipezaar, as does this one (also Yummly): http://www.yummly.com/recipe/Steamed-Fish-And-Vegetables-My-Recipes.  This one seems a little daring (because I think it means for you to cook an entire fish): http://www.yummly.com/recipe/Chinese-Steamed-Fish-In-Sauce-Recipezaar. This one seems ambitious, but like it will be absolutely heavenly (I’d use low-sodium soy sauce and go sparingly on the salt – I don’t think I need 53% of my sodium from one meal): http://www.yummly.com/recipe/Ginger_steamed-Fish-Recipezaar.

I think tonight is the night. Steam me up! (see what I did there?) I’ll let you all know how it goes…