Garlic is a flavorful and versatile ingredient found in most kitchens. Garlic is a very common ingredient used for sauteing or frying foods.
But can you steam garlic in a steamer? The answer is yes!
Steaming garlic preserves its nutritional benefits and helps bring out its flavor without needing oil or butter.
This article will explore the benefits of steaming garlic with a steamer and some tips to get the best results.
Let’s get into it!
The Benefits Of Steaming Garlic
Garlic is a powerful vegetable with many health benefits. One of the best ways to get all these benefits is by steaming garlic.
Steaming garlic helps keep its flavor and nutritional value intact while making it easier for your body to absorb the nutrients.
Garlic contains antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, vitamins, and minerals that can help boost immunity, reduce inflammation, and even lower cholesterol levels.
Additionally, steamed garlic has been shown to have antimicrobial properties, which may help fight off bacterial infections and viruses.
The main benefit of steaming garlic is that it retains most of its nutritional value instead of boiling or frying, which can cause some nutrients like Vitamin C to be lost due to heat exposure during cooking.
You can reap more health benefits from eating this powerhouse veggie when cooked through steam instead.
Furthermore, it retains essential vitamins. It preserves flavor compared with other cooking methods like sautéing, where strong odors form over time due to high temperatures used throughout the process.
See also: Can You Steam Frozen Peas In A Steamer?
What’s The Difference Between Sautéing And Steaming Garlic?
Sautéing garlic involves cooking it in a skillet with oil or butter over moderate heat. This cooking method brings out garlic’s nutty, sweet flavor and adds complexity to dishes.
Steaming garlic is a gentler way of preparing garlic that helps preserve its subtle flavor while releasing its natural oils. When steamed, garlic is placed in an enclosed container with enough water to create steam and cook until tender.
The main difference between sautéing and steaming garlic is the level of heat used during preparation.
Sautéing uses higher temperatures to break down some of the delicate flavors inherent in fresh raw garlic cloves.
In contrast, steaming uses much lower temperatures that help retain those precious flavors for longer periods.
Additionally, sautéed garlic tends to be softer than steamed garlic because it cooks faster due to the higher temperature.
This process causes more moisture loss from the clove itself, resulting in a slightly drier texture than when gently simmered using steam instead.
When deciding between these two methods, one should consider how they would like their final dish to taste and what kind of texture they want.
If you want something nutty sweet, sautéeing may be your best bet. Opt for gentle steaming if you’d prefer something more subtly flavorful with a moist and tender texture.
Ultimately both approaches will yield delicious results, but depending on your desired outcome, one method may work better. So experiment away until you find what works best for you.
See also: Can You Steam Green Beans In A Steamer?
Type Of Steamers For Steaming Garlic
The best type of steamer for steaming garlic is a stovetop steamer. This steamer has advantages over electric steamers, microwaves, and rice cookers.
Firstly, it is quick and easy to use. Put the garlic in the basket, add water to the pot below and bring it to a boil.
Secondly, it allows for precise control over how much time food spends in the steam.
If your recipe calls for a specific cooking time or texture, this steamer will help you achieve that result. Thirdly, stovetop steamers are generally more affordable than other types of steamers.
Since ancient times, cooks have used stovetop steamers worldwide because they effectively prepare meals quickly with minimal effort.
A key feature of these steamers is that they retain heat well; once heated up, they stay hot even after being turned off so as not to waste energy unnecessarily reheating water when preparing multiple dishes.
Additionally, most models come with adjustable lids, which allow you to regulate how much moisture escapes during cooking.
Overall, stovetop steamers are an excellent choice for anyone looking for an efficient way to cook healthy meals quickly and easily.
They also require very little storage space, making them ideal for cramped kitchens where counter space might be limited.
See also: Can You Steam Kale In A Steamer?
How To Clean Garlic Before Steaming?
The best way to clean garlic before steaming is to peel off the outer skin and rinse it under cold running water. This will help remove any dirt or debris that may be present.
Additionally, you can use a vegetable brush to scrub off any stuck-on pieces of skin or dirt. After rinsing, pat dry with a paper towel and steam your garlic.
Cleaning garlic properly before cooking is important for many reasons. When cooked, it helps remove any soil or bacteria that could contaminate the food and improve its taste and texture.
By peeling away the outer layer of skin and rinsing it in cold water, you can ensure that all traces of dirt are removed from the surface area before steaming starts.
Furthermore, using a vegetable brush helps remove stubborn pieces of dirt that would otherwise remain on the clove if left alone during cleaning.
Finally, patting dry with a paper towel removes excess moisture, ensuring that your final dish won’t be watered after steam-cooked.
See also: Can You Steam Lentils In A Steamer?
How To Steam Garlic In An Electric Steamer?
Start by plugging in your electric steamer. Turn it on, and set the temperature to approximately 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius).
Peel the outer layers of skin off the garlic cloves, leaving only a thin layer attached to each clove. It’s okay if some pieces break apart during this process – that’s perfectly normal!
Place the peeled cloves into the steamer basket or tray, ensuring they are spread out evenly so they steam evenly.
Securely cover the steamer with its lid and let it cook for around 15 minutes until you can easily insert a fork into one of the larger pieces of garlic without much resistance.
When pressed with a utensil or fingertip, this should be about when all parts turn golden brown and soft to the touch.
Once finished cooking, carefully remove from heat and let cool down slightly before handling further – you don’t want to burn yourself!
When ready, use tongs or kitchen gloves to grab hold of whatever vessel is holding your garlic while wearing oven mitts over the top just in case any remaining steam gets released upon opening the lid/covering.
Serve warm or store cooled leftovers in an airtight container until needed next time; enjoy!
FAQs
Can You Put Garlic And Onions In A Steamer?
Yes, you can put garlic and onions in a steamer. Make sure to cut them into small pieces so they cook evenly.
What Happens If You Steam Garlic?
Steaming garlic helps preserve its flavor and texture while making it easier to digest. It also helps retain more beneficial compounds in garlic, such as allicin.
What Does Steamed Garlic Taste Like?
Steamed garlic has a milder flavor than raw or roasted garlic, with a slightly sweet and nutty taste.
Is It Better To Boil Garlic?
Yes, boiling garlic is a great way to bring out its flavor and make it easier to mash or puree. Boiling also helps reduce the pungency of raw garlic.
Does Boiling Garlic Remove Nutrients?
Yes, boiling garlic can reduce its nutritional content. Boiling garlic for more than 10 minutes can cause a significant loss of water-soluble vitamins such as C and B.
Conclusion: Can You Steam Garlic In A Steamer?
In conclusion, yes! You can steam garlic in a steamer and enjoy the taste of a delicious, healthy meal.
Steaming garlic allows you to retain more vitamins and minerals often lost when cooking with high heat.
Not only is this method easy, but it also yields flavorful results.
So grab your steamer basket and get creative in the kitchen by adding fresh-steamed garlic to your next dish.
Happy cooking!