How to Cook Different Foods In The Steam Oven

Cooking food in steam is not a new concept neither is cooking multiple foods in steam at one time; however, the advantages of cooking with the technology in the steam oven definitely makes food preparation easier. Once you set the oven in the steam mode you can add in multiple containers of food at one time, all you have to do is determine the timing for each type of food and the order in which you want to cook those foods. 

Planning is Key When Cooking Multiple Foods at one Time

It’s easier than ever these days to keep track of the timing when cooking multiple dishes at one time. In addition to the oven timers we have devices such as Alexa, our phones, digital timers and the old fashioned wind up timers. If your oven is connected to the manufacturer's app you will also get an alert when the timing has elapsed. In other words, planning the timing for cooking multiple dishes is easy.

Prepare Meals in Advance at the same Time as Cooking Dinner

Steaming multiple foods at one time can be helpful when preparing a meal, but also when you are preparing several meals in advance. Say for example you wanted to make mashed potatoes as a topping for Shepherds Pie that you plan to serve on another day, and also steam some bone in chicken

for sandwiches as well as steam some rice and vegetables for dinner, well all those foods can be cooked in the Steam mode at the same time. It might sound ambitious, but really it’s amazingly easy.

Here is the timing for this scenario:

Steamed (2) bone-in chicken legs, prep time, 5 minutes, cooking time 40 minutes. Yield approximately 3 cups cooked chicken + 2 cups chicken stock. Cook in a solid pan with 1 cup of water and the desired aromatics. Set the chicken aside to cool before shredding.

Potatoes (4 large) for mashed potatoes, prep time, 5 minutes, cooking time 20 minutes.  Yield 4 - 6 servings. Cook in the solid pan, add ½ cup of water and salt. Remove when potatoes are very tender and mash with butter etc. 

Rice (1 cup) cooking time 15 - 30 minutes depending on the type of rice. Yield 2 - 3 servings. Cook in the solid pan with 1 ¾ cups of water and salt. Allow to stand for 5 minutes then fluff with a fork.

Steamed vegetables, green beans, broccoli, asparagus, thinly sliced carrots: 6 - 8 minutes depending on your preference.

In this scenario the base for the Shepherd's Pie could be prepared while the potatoes are steaming, once the mashed potatoes are spread over the filling you would have a dish ready for another meal. Once cooled, the chicken can be shredded and stored ready to add to sandwiches or salads and you will have some simple side dishes ready to serve with dinner.

Planning to cook this way is a very efficient way of keeping your refrigerator stocked with healthy nourishing food, so there is always something good to eat. Remember that Shepherds Pie you made in advance well that will heat beautifully in the Steam oven without needing to be covered because, it won't dry out when baked in the combination Convection/Steam mode.

With No Cooktop to Clean, Clean-Up is Easy

Since all the steam oven cooking containers can be washed in the dishwasher, clean-up is much easier and you have managed to cook a lot of food with little stress. 

Don't Go Without Breakfast, Cook it in the Steam Oven

Using the steam oven to cook multiple foods at breakfast time also makes it easier to ensure everyone gets a healthy breakfast. Oatmeal can be cooked directly in the bowl water in the Steam mode. The timing is approximately 6 minutes, but if the bowl stays in the oven for 10 minutes nothing bad will happen. Eggs can also be poached in the oven at the same time, for large cold eggs between 5-6 minutes works best.  Although at higher altitudes it can take up to 8 minutes. 

Keep the Steam Oven Clean and Dry

For ovens with a tank it is recommended to empty the tank after each use, however, if you use the oven to cook breakfast and plan to use it again that evening the tank can be emptied after the last meal of the day is cooked.  Just be sure to dry the oven out to maintain a hygienic environment.

Think Beyond Cooking One Item at a Time and Let the Oven Work for You

Steam ovens are truly remarkable tools, and I encourage you to think beyond just using the oven to prepare one food at a time. Always ask yourself, is there something else I can cook at the same time to get a head start on another meal or to make it easier to prepare several dishes at one time. With a little planning you will get great results every time when cooking with your steam oven.

Larissa Your Convection (and Steam) Enthusiast