Simplest Steamed Fish Food

SIMPLEST STEAMED FISH

Steps:

• Put at least 1 inch of water in the bottom of a steamer, cover and bring to a boil. Lay the fish on the steamer's rack, making sure the rack is elevated above the water, and cover again. Steam 4 to 8 minutes, or until the fish is done. (A good-size halibut steak may take 10 or even 12 minutes.)
• Remove the fish to a warm platter and drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Cut into serving portions, sprinkle with coarse salt and serve.

STEAMED FISH WITH GINGER

Steps:

• Set a large bamboo or metal steamer basket over a skillet of simmering water over medium heat.
• Crush the ginger slices with the flat side of a knife. Place the garlic and half each of the ginger and scallions on a plate that will fit inside the steamer. Score the fish skin a few times with a knife; season with salt and pepper. Place the fish skin-side up on the plate, drizzle with 2 teaspoons sesame oil and sprinkle with the sugar. Put the plate in the steamer. Mix the soy sauce and rice wine and pour over the fish.
• Cover and steam the fish until just cooked through, 6 to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness. Carefully remove the hot plate. Add the snow peas to the steamer, season with salt, cover and cook until bright green, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Transfer the fish to a platter, spoon the juices on top and sprinkle with the remaining scallions. Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons sesame oil and the peanut oil in a skillet over high heat. Add the remaining ginger and cook until it begins to brown. Pour the hot oil over the fish.

LEMONY STEAMED FISH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Cut 6 foil squares large enough for each fillet.
• Center fillets on the foil squares and sprinkle each with dill weed, onion powder, parsley, paprika, seasoned salt, lemon pepper, and garlic powder. Sprinkle lemon juice over each fillet. Fold foil over fillets to make a pocket and fold the edges to seal. Place sealed packets on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until fish flakes easily with a fork, about 30 minutes.

CHINESE-STYLE STEAMED FISH

Steps:

• Arrange 1/2 of the green onions on the bottom of the steaming bowl (it is important to steam in a container in order to retain the steam and juices around the fish). Place 1/2 of the mushrooms and Napa cabbage sections on top of the onions. Place fish on top of the vegetables. Sprinkle ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes over fish. Top with the remaining green onions, mushrooms, and napa cabbage. Drizzle soy sauce and water over everything.
• Place steam bowl in a steamer over 1 inch of boiling water, and cover. Steam for 15 to 20 minutes, or until fish flakes easily. Garnish with cilantro, if desired.

STEAMED WHOLE FISH WITH GINGER, SCALLIONS, AND SOY

Steps:

• 1. Rinse the fish in cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Season the fish inside and out with salt and pepper. Place the fish on a heatproof plate that is both large enough to accommodate it (a glass pie plate works well) and will also fit inside your steamer, bending the fish slightly if it is too long. Stuff half of the ginger inside the cavity of the fish and spread the remaining ginger on top of the fish.
• 2. Pour water into a wok or stockpot and set a steamer in the wok or on the rim of the stockpot. Make sure the water does not touch the bottom of the steamer. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
• 3. Place the plate holding the fish in the steamer, cover, and steam for about 8 minutes, until the fish flakes easily when tested with the tip of a knife.
• 4. While the fish is steaming, in a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, wine, and 1 tablespoon of water. Set aside.
• 5. When the fish is ready, carefully remove the plate from the steamer and pour off any accumulated liquid. Lay the scallion and cilantro along the top of the fish. In a small sauté pan, heat the oil over high heat until it is hot but not smoking. Remove the oil from the heat and pour it directly over the scallion and cilantro to "cook" them. Drizzle the soy mixture over the fish and serve immediately.

SIMPLE STEAMED FISH

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients (apart from the fish and green onions) together.
• Smear a little of the dressing around a dinner plate. Arrange the fillets thickest sides out. Drizzle the remaining dressing over the top and spread it around.
• Cover with cling film, punch a few holes in it then microwave on high for 2 minutes. Check and microwave a further 30 seconds at a time until the fish is just done. Allow to stand a couple of minutes then serve, pouring the juices over and garnishing with the sliced green onions.

SIMPLEST STEAMED FISH

Steps:

• Put at least 1-inch of water in the bottom of a steamer; cover and bring to a boil.
• Put the fish in a heat-proof rack or casserole; place in the steamer; cover and steam 4-8 minutes, or until the fish is done.
• Check fish often, being careful when removing the lid of the steamer so you don't get scalded.
• Stop the cooking as soon as a thin-bladed knife meets no resistance when poking the fillet.
• Thicker fillets may need about 10-12 minutes.
• Transfer the fish to a warm platter and drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle with coarse salt and serve.

SIMPLEST STEAMED FISH

Steps:

• Put at least 1 inch of water in the bottom of a steamer (see Note), cover, and bring to a boil. Put the fish on the steamer's rack-making sure the rack is elevated above the water-cover again, and steam for 4 to 8 minutes, or until the fish is done. You must check often-taking care not to scald yourself when removing the steamer's lid-and stop the cooking the instant a thin-bladed knife meets no resistance when poking the fillet. (A good-sized halibut fillet may require 10 or even 12 minutes.)
• Transfer the fish to a warm platter and drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle with coarse salt and serve.
• Variation
• Simplest Steamed Fish with Soy: You can drizzle the fish with anything you like in place of the olive oil and lemon. Try, for example, a drizzle of soy sauce and a little minced peeled fresh ginger and/or chopped scallion.

STEAMED WHOLE FISH

Steps:

• Rinse the fish under cold running water, pat dry, and place on a lightly oiled, heatproof platter that will fit in your steamer or a large roasting pan. Cut 3 deep diagonal gashes along each side of the fish, to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat. Sprinkle the inside cavity and outside of the fish with the salt, squeeze the lemon juice over the fish, drizzle with sesame oil, then stuff the slivered ginger and chopped garlic into the gashes. Scatter the scallions over the fish, and marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes.
• Fill the steamer or roasting pan with water to within an inch of the steamer rack, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, and add the ginger chunks to the water. Place platter with fish on steaming rack, cover, and steam over low heat for 20 to 25 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish (plan on 10 minutes for each 1inch of thickness at its widest point).
• About 5 minutes before the fish is done, heat the peanut oil and the sesame oil in a small saucepan until hot, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the soy sauce, lemon juice and sugar.
• Test fish for doneness by poking with a fork or chopsticks. The fish meat should flake easily at its thickest part. Remove from the steamer, pour the hot oil mixture over the fish, and serve immediately.

SIMPLE STEAMED FISH

Steps:

• Rinse the fish. Pat dry, then place in a heat-proof dish.
• Set a rack in a pot and add water to a depth of 1 1/2 to 2 inches. (If you use a steamer, fill half the lower tier with water.) Bring to a boil. Set dish on rack (or on upper tier of steamer) and steam over high heat for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish.
• Test for doneness by poking a chopstick or sharp knife through the thickest part of the fish. It should flake easily and look opaque all the way to the bone.
• When fish is done, use a turkey baster or spoon to discard any accumulated liquid.
• Sprinkle ginger, scallion and optional cilantro over fish. Heat oil in a small skillet. Add soy sauce and heat for a few seconds. Pour mixture over fish. Serve immediately.