Simply Steamed Seafood

Cooking with steam from boiling water may seem simple, but there are a few nuances when it comes to seafood. As opposed to the popular seafood boil, where shrimp, crab, and sausage is submersed in a rolling boil of liquid, steaming is a softer way to gently cook seafood. When steamed properly, the results range from delicious, tender crab meat to light and evenly cooked fish fillets.

Here are some simple steps for steaming fresh seafood properly.

Shellfish

Steaming is a great way to cook clams, mussels, and other bivalves. They cook in their own juices, enhancing the briny flavor that shellfish eaters enjoy.

1. Place your shellfish in a large pot with a small amount of water (wine or broth works well for bivalves like clams and mussels).
2. Add heat and when they open they are cooked.
3. Throw out any that have not opened after cooking (closed shells typically mean dead, unfresh meats).

Whole Fish and Fillets

Steaming wrapped fish is a great way to seal in the flavor. Pay attention to the timing, especially if unwrapped, or the outside of your seafood can become dry when steamed for too long.

1. Select a steamer that fits tightly over a pan or inside of it just off the bottom. Poor about 1 to 2 inches of water into the pan on a stove.
2. Set the steamer cover aside and cover the pan with the steamer or pan lid and bring the water to a low boil.
3. To seal in the flavor, place a bamboo or collard green leaf, parchment paper, or foil onto the steamer. Lightly season the fish with salt, other seasonings, and place it on the lined steamer. Cover your steamer or pan keeping the water at a low boil.
4. The fish is done when you stick a metal skewer in the middle of the fish for 5 seconds, pull it out, and feel heat from it on the back of your wrist.

Fresh Seafood is Best

At FreshAIG, we connect you with merchants offering fresh seafood perfect for steaming. From whole to filleted, your local fishmongers are experts at processing seafood to make your steaming easy. When you buy from seafood markets and fishermen nearby, you're not only enjoying a delicious meal, you're improving your health and supporting your community's economy.

Take Home

Steaming seafood is more than just a cooking method; it's an elegant, yet simple technique that brings out the pure flavor of seafood. Whether you're exploring new trends or seeking healthy options, steaming offers a convenient way to prepare and enjoy fresh seafood. Visit FreshAIG.com to find the freshest seafood nearby  and share your seafood experiences using #FreshAIG on your favorite social media platform.