Steaming preserves nutrients, reduces added fats, and eases digestion—making it an ideal cooking method for those looking to support liver function and overall wellness. Here are four simple, flavorful steamed recipes that are as nourishing as they are delicious.
1. Steamed Spare Ribs with Tomatoes
Ingredients:
Pork spare ribs, tomatoes, ginger slivers, chopped scallions
Instructions:
- Cut ribs into small pieces and place in a large bowl. Add ginger slivers, a pinch of cornstarch, light soy sauce, and a drizzle of peanut oil. Mix well and marinate for 20 minutes.
- Wash and dice the tomatoes. Spread them evenly on the bottom of a heatproof steaming bowl, then layer the marinated ribs on top.
- Steam over boiling water for about 30 minutes, until ribs are tender.
- Garnish with chopped scallions before serving.
2. Steamed Chicken Wings with Shiitake Mushrooms
Ingredients:
Chicken wings, dried or fresh shiitake mushrooms, ginger slivers, scallion segments, chopped scallions
Instructions:
- Chop chicken wings into pieces and place in a bowl. Add ginger slivers, scallion segments, cornstarch, light soy sauce, a pinch of salt, and peanut oil. Mix thoroughly and marinate for 20 minutes.
- Soak dried shiitake mushrooms (if using) until soft, then slice thinly. Arrange the mushroom slices on the bottom of a steaming bowl, and top with the marinated chicken wings.
- Steam for about 25 minutes, until chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Sprinkle with fresh chopped scallions and serve.
3. Steamed Beef with White Button Mushrooms
Ingredients:
Beef (sirloin or flank), ginger slivers, white button mushrooms (or oyster mushrooms), toasted sesame seeds, chopped scallions
Instructions:
- Slice beef thinly against the grain. Place in a bowl and add ginger slivers, cornstarch, light soy sauce, and peanut oil. Toss to coat and marinate for 10 minutes.
- Clean mushrooms and slice thinly. Line the bottom of a steaming dish with the mushrooms, then arrange the beef slices on top.
- Steam for about 20 minutes, or until beef is just cooked through and tender.
- Finish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and chopped scallions.
4. Garlic-Steamed Spare Ribs
Ingredients:
Pork spare ribs, minced garlic, ginger slivers, chopped scallions
Instructions:
- Cut ribs into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, combine with minced garlic, ginger slivers, cornstarch, light soy sauce, and a neutral cooking oil (like peanut or vegetable oil). Mix well and marinate for 20 minutes.
- Transfer the marinated ribs to a steaming dish in a single layer.
- Steam over high heat for 35 minutes, until tender and fragrant.
- Top with chopped scallions before serving.
These four steamed dishes offer a perfect balance of lean protein, vegetables, and gentle seasoning—free from excess oil and heavy frying. Not only are they easy on the digestive system, but ingredients like garlic, mushrooms, and tomatoes also contain antioxidants and compounds known to support liver detoxification and overall metabolic health.
Make steaming your go-to cooking method—it’s how you eat well without sacrificing flavor!