Have you ever considered steaming your tomatoes? Steaming is a traditional Chinese cooking technique with a rich history in Chinese cuisine. Initially, we used bamboo steamers to enhance the flavor and nutritional value of vegetables. In this post, I will share two methods for perfectly steaming your tomatoes, allowing you to savor the essence of sunlight in every bite.
Tomatoes, with their juicy and natural sweetness, are one of my favorite ingredients for stir-fries, stews, and soups. If you enjoy Chinese cuisine, you might have already tried our tomato and egg stir-fry.
While steamed tomatoes may not be as popular as stir-fries or tomato egg drop soup, they offer a unique taste experience. You can truly savor the sunlight in these soft, steamed tomatoes.
Why Steam Tomatoes?
Steamed tomatoes offer nutritional benefits that differ from their raw counterparts. While fresh tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamins C, K, A, and several B vitamins, they also contain an important nutrient called lycopene. Cooking tomatoes enhances our body’s ability to absorb lycopene.
Additionally, steaming alters the texture of tomatoes, making them super soft and juicy with a more pronounced sweet and sour flavor due to the heat.
Methods for Steaming Tomatoes
While the traditional steaming method involves using a steamer, there are various ways to steam your tomatoes. Here are two of my favorite methods:
- Using a traditional steamer—this is the most common method and is perfect for serving as a side dish.
- Steaming tomatoes alongside rice in a rice cooker—this is a trendy option among younger generations.
Cook’s Notes
- Select mature, high-quality tomatoes for the best flavor.
- Remove the skin before eating.
- Drizzle with olive oil to enhance the flavor.
- Don’t discard the juice left in your bowl; it’s a treasure!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Start by cleaning the tomatoes and making two cross cuts on their surface.
Place the tomatoes in a bowl and steam for about 10 minutes once the water begins to boil.
Once steamed, drizzle olive oil on top, and you have a deliciously simple dish.
Steaming Tomatoes with Rice
Rinse the rice and place it in a rice cooker.
Add the appropriate amount of water; this is crucial as the water-to-rice ratio affects the outcome. Generally, a 1:1 ratio works for white rice, but consult your cooker’s instructions for specifics.
Create a small hole in the center of the rice and place the cross-cut tomato in it.
Start the rice cooking process. Your steamed tomato will be ready when the rice is fully cooked. I prefer this method as it is economical and requires no steamer.
Once the rice is cooked, I enjoy peeling the skin off the tomato, breaking it apart, and allowing each grain of rice to soak up the juice and sweetness of the tomato.
