Steamers With Asian Broth And Cilantro Butter Recipes

STEAMERS WITH ASIAN BROTH AND CILANTRO BUTTER

Steps:

• Combine 2 cups water, clam juice, basil, lemongrass, lime juice, fish sauce, and salt in a stockpot; bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until well flavored, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine cilantro and butter in food processor; mix until cilantro is in tiny flecks. Set aside in a small saucepan.
• Pass liquid in stockpot through cheesecloth-lined strainer. Return to stockpot over medium-high heat. Add clams (use a bamboo steamer if desired); cover pan. Cook until clams open, 10 to 12 minutes; discard unopened ones. Melt the cilantro butter. Transfer the clams to a serving bowl, and strain the broth through a cheesecloth-lined strainer.
• Serve clams with lime wedges, broth for rinsing off sand, and butter for dipping.

CANTONESE STEAMED FISH

Steps:

• Cut the scallions into 2-inch lengths, and cut the pieces in half lengthwise. Julienne them thinly. Thinly slice about 15g of ginger, and julienne them. Give the cilantro a rough chop. Set the aromatics aside.
• Combine the light soy sauce, salt, sugar and hot water in a small bowl and mix until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Set aside.
• Prepare your steaming set-up, and fill with 1-2 inches of water. Bring to a boil.
• Rinse your fish fillet, and carefully lay it on an oblong heat-proof plate that will fit into your wok or steaming setup. Carefully place it in the steamer, and adjust the heat to medium. The water should be at a slow boil that generates a good amount of steam, but not so high that the water evaporates too quickly.
• Cover and steam for 7-10 minutes depending upon the size and thickness of your fish fillet. If you have extremely small, thin fillets (half an inch), cook for 4-5 minutes. Check for doneness using a butter knife. If it falls easily through the thickest part of the fillet to the bottom of the plate, the fish is done.
• Turn off the heat, and carefully drain any liquid on the plate. Spread about ⅓ of the scallions, ginger, and cilantro on the steamed fish (alternatively, you can wait to do this AFTER adding the sauce).
• To make the sauce, heat a wok or small saucepan to medium high heat, and add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Add the remaining ⅔ of the ginger, and fry for 1 minute. Add the white parts of the scallions and cook for 30 seconds.Then add rest of the scallions and cilantro. The mixture should be sizzling.
• Add the soy sauce mixture. Bring the mixture to a bubble, and cook until the scallions and cilantro are just wilted, about 30 seconds.
• Pour this mixture over the fish. If you prefer to add the raw aromatics after adding the sauce, you can do so now, and heat an additional 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to pour over the raw aromatics. Serve immediately!

ASIAN-STYLE STEAMED SNAPPER WITH BABY BOK CHOY

Steps:

• In a shallow pot that a bamboo steamer fits over or in a wok, add the water and bring to a boil. You can also use a traditional steamer that has 2 layers. Add the ginger, lime leaves, citrus zest, cilantro, scallions, white wine, jalapeno, and peanut oil. Season well with salt. Bring back to a boil and cook for 10 minutes for the flavors to combine.
• Season the fish with salt and pepper. Place the first layer of the bamboo steamer over the pot. Line the steamer with the cabbage leaves, making sure that the surface is not completely covered so the steam can get through. Lay the fish, skin-side up, on the cabbage leaves. Cover and steam for 1 minute.
• Place the bok choy on the second layer of the bamboo steamer in 1 layer. Uncover the steamer and place the bok choy layer on top of the fish. Cover and steam for about 5 minutes, or until the fish is just cooked through and the bok choy is tender, but still has some crispness. Check the fish for doneness by gently inserting a fork into it. If the fork slides easily in, the fish is done. If the fork resists sliding in, it is not quite done. Remove the fish and bok choy and keep warm while you make the sauce.
• Heat a medium saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the peanut oil and heat. When the oil is hot, add the ginger, garlic, and jalapeno and saute until just translucent, about 3 minutes. Do not allow the vegetables to brown. Add 4 ounces of the steaming liquid and the soy sauce and boil for 2 minutes. Do not season with salt as the soy sauce is salty. Add the sugar and boil for 1 minute, or until the sugar is completely dissolved. Lower the heat and whisk in the butter. Add the scallion whites, stir, and remove from the heat.
• Place some jasmine rice on a platter. Top with the steamed bok choy. Top the bok choy with the snapper, skin-side up. Spoon the sauce over the fish. Garnish with the scallion greens and cilantro sprigs.

STEAMED CLAMS

Steps:

• Place steamers in a large bowl. Add enough water to cover. Add cornmeal, and stir to thoroughly combined. Let stand for at least 3 hours and up to 6 hours to allow the clams to purge their sand.
• Remove clams from water, and rinse thoroughly. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• In a large saucepan, combine beer and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add clams, and cook, covered, until the clams have opened, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove clams with a slotted spoon, discarding any clams that have not opened or ones with broken shells, to a large bowl. Sprinkle with parsley.
• Strain cooking liquid through a cheesecloth-lined sieve. Serve clams immediately with lemon wedges, hot broth, and melted butter.

STEAMERS AND BROTH

Steps:

• Begin by cleaning the steamers in a large pot filled with the vinegar and ice cold water to cover. Discard any clams that rise to the surface, they are not alive. Allow the steamers to soak for at least 30 minutes, then rinse in cold water and drain in a large colander.
• *Vinegar is the secret to de-sanding steamers during the cleaning process. Live steamers dislike an acidic enviroment, and will naturally purge themselves of any excess sand.
• Fill a tall, narrow pot with 2 inches of water and the celery and bring to a rapid boil. Carefully add the steamers to the pot, so that the shells do not break. Cover and cook over high heat for 8 minutes, or until the shells open; discard any that don't open. Meanwhile, melt the butter over low heat in a medium saucepan and divide among 6 small bowls.
• Transfer the cooked steamers to medium serving bowls, discard the celery, and ladle the steamer broth (the water left in the pot)into separate small bowls. Serve immediately with the melted butter and more bowls for discarding the shells.
• *To eat pull the steamer from its shell, dipping it in the warm steamer broth water to remove any remaining sand, then dipping it in melted butter, and finally eating it as you pull the skin off the neck of the clam.

STEAMED CLAMS WITH CILANTRO AND RED PEPPER

Steps:

• Melt 4 tablespoons butter in large pot over medium heat. Add green onions and cook 3 minutes. Add 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro and next 4 ingredients. Increase heat to high; bring mixture to boil. Add clams; cover pot. Cook until clams open, shaking pot often, about 7 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer clams to 6 soup bowls (discard any clams that do not open). Boil remaining liquid over high heat until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Whisk in remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Season with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over clams. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and serve.

STEAMED CLAMS WITH CILANTRO BUTTER

Steps:

• Place broth and butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat.
• When butter is melted, add the green onions, cilantro, garlic, cumin and lime juice and bring to a boil.
• Add clams and cook about 5-7 minutes or until clams open. Discard any unopened clams.

STEAMED SEAFOOD MEDLEY

Steps:

• Line a 6-inch bamboo steamer basket with kaffir lime leaves and orange slices; top with tilapia fillets. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
• Line a separate 6-inch bamboo steamer basket with cilantro, grapefruit slices, and 2 scallions; top with shrimp. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
• Line another 6-inch bamboo steamer basket with lemon slices and 2 scallions; top with clams. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
• Line a final 6-inch bamboo steamer basket with parsley and lime slices; top with mussels. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
• Fill a large skillet with enough water to reach a depth of 1/2 inch; bring to a simmer. Place the steamer baskets into skillet, one on top of the other, beginning with the fish and followed by the shrimp, clams, and mussels. Cook until mussels have opened, 4 to 6 minutes; remove mussels from stack. Cook until remaining seafood is cooked through, about 2 minutes more. Remove from heat. Serve bamboo steamers stacked on a plate along with desired sauces.