Steam cooking is nothing new. Yet memories of ‘healthy’ yet bloated vegetables and watery fish still haunt us. The good news is that the days of bulky plastic contraptions that steam the life out of fantastic ingredients are over. Instead, steam ovens are the contemporary kitchens’ best friend and one of the best ways to achieve healthy, exciting and flavourful meals.
Interestingly, many still wonder about steam ovens, yet they can create fantastic results and full-on fresh flavour. The process of gentle yet powerful steam technology ensures that more nutrients are retained. Unlike conventional ovens, steam ovens are a wonder in delivering the desired texture and preventing ingredients from drying out. In the most basic terms, steam ovens are the healthiest, most energy-efficient (speedier than conventional overs) and a great way to cook food.
One of our favourite contemporary kitchens’ gadgets accompanying a steam oven is the vacuum drawer for professional-style vacuum pack cooking. Those familiar with Master Chef and Chef’s Table will know that sous-vide cooking can create wonders. From marinading to super gentle cooking, you can make restaurant-standard meals with this piece of kitchen technology. Another bonus to the vacuum drawer is that it also reduces food waste. The brilliant thing about it is that users can freeze leftovers or other foodstuffs, as the process locks in flavour and freshness.
Of course, the clever engineers at Miele, our partners, also design combination steam ovens that give their proud owners all the benefits of steam cooking combined with a conventional range. So, if you are cooking meat or fish, the steam function will keep it moist and retain more nutrition. In addition, the final blast from the conventional oven can offer the final dish colour or caramelisation for added flavour.
Both the steam oven and a vacuum drawer feature in our Clifton Kitchen project in Bristol, Somerset. Our client was keen to incorporate the latest technology in the total kitchen redesign and build. We chose Miele appliances to meet their high standards, and both our team and client were delighted with the results.
It’s fair to say that at Papilio Bespoke Kitchens, we get very excited about kitchen technology. So, if you’re researching tech-savvy contemporary kitchens, speak to us!
