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Steamed Cod and Vegetables: Simple, Delicious, and Nutritious

Whether you are looking to curb calories or need a dish for a Friday during Lent, the Steamed Cod and Vegetables dish is both light and tasty.


I enjoy eating fish, but somehow our family often gets into a rut of chicken and beef. Sometimes we do a vegetarian dish that includes beans or lentils.

Yet when the season of Lent is coming up, I start considering different fish dinners we can add to our dinner routine.

The question I often ask myself is why we don’t eat fish more often.

When you want a richer, heartier fish option for a special Friday night or Christmas Eve, this Sicilian Halibut Fish Stew is another favorite in our house.

Plate with two slices of steamed cod, three mushrooms, two halves of red pepper, three thick slices of carrot, three pieces of broccoli, and one wedge of lemon. A fork and knife tucked into a napkin sits along side with another plate of food to the far side.

Why Cook with Steam?

Cooking with steam is not a new technique.

Many cultures have continued to use steam for cooking. One of the families we knew in Alaska had members from China who used a bamboo steamer on a regular basis.

I have also used steam to cook vegetables on the stovetop for years, and once you learn how to steam vegetables the right way, they come out tender and full of flavor.

More people are beginning to use this method of cooking in recent years.

Image by Bruno /Germany from Pixabay

Healthier Cooking Method

One of the primary benefits of cooking with steam is that it is a healthier cooking method compared to other methods, such as frying or grilling.

When food is cooked with steam, it retains more of its nutrients and vitamins, which are essential for good health. Additionally, steam cooking helps to preserve the natural flavors of food, making it more enjoyable to eat.

Steam Cooking is Easy & Fast

It is also a surprisingly easy and fast method of cooking. Steam cookers typically have multiple tiers, so you can cook multiple items at once. This saves time and energy, as you do not need to use multiple pots and pans.

Additionally, electric steam cookers often have timers, so you can set them and forget about them until your food is ready.

Versatility

Steam cooking is quite versatile. You can use it to cook a variety of different foods such as vegetables, fish, rice, or pasta. This makes it a great option for those who want to eat healthily but do not have a lot of time to prepare meals from scratch.

Electrick two-tier steamer with fish chunks on bottom tier and large chunks of broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, and red peppers on top tier.

When you cook with steam, you retain moisture in food. When food is cooked using dry heat methods, such as grilling or frying, the moisture can be lost, making the food dry and potentially unappetizing. However, when food is cooked with steam, the moisture is retained, making the food more moist and flavorful.

To get started, all you need is a pot or pan with a tight-fitting lid and some water. This makes it a great option for those on a budget or for those who want to save money on their grocery bill.

An electric multi-tiered steamer just makes it less hands-on compared to cooking on the stove, especially if there is a built-in timer.

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Options for Steamers to Cook This Dish

The main tool you will need is a multi-tiered electric steamer.

The 2-tier design allows you to cook multiple items at once.

An electric version of this makes it easy to set the time and let the appliance do the cooking.

My personal preference is for a stainless steel steamer over one with plastic cooking vessels.

If you do not have an electric steamer like this, you can use a stovetop steamer to cook the fish and vegetables separately.

They also make stainless steel “double-decker” steamers for cooking on the stove.

Finally, you can find bamboo steamer baskets that stack as well. All you need to do is set them inside a frying pan or wok with water.

White plate with slices of steamed cod and pieces of steamed carrots, broccoli, and mushrooms.
Yield: 4

Steamed Cod and Vegetables

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal with this steamed cod and vegetables.

No Ratings

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs cod filet, cut into desired serving portions
  • 1/2 t. ground coriander
  • 1/2 t. ground saffron
  • 1/2 t. ground bell pepper
  • 1 medium broccoli head
  • 3-4 small bell peppers, multi-colored for best visual appearance
  • 8-10 mushrooms, trimmed
  • 4 medium carrots, washed, not peeled
  • 1 medium lemon, cut into quarters.
  • Sea salt, black pepper, to taste
  • Water for steaming, per manufacturer’s instructions.

Instructions

  • Wash the cod filet, lightly pat it dry and set aside.
  • In a small bowl combine the coriander, saffron, and ground bell pepper. Mix well, then sprinkle it evenly over the cod.
  • Wash all the vegetables. Cut bell pepper in half and remove seeds. Cut broccoli into large florets. Leave the carrots whole or cut them into large chunks.
  • Following the instructions for your steamer, pour water into the bottom. Place the seasoned cod on the bottom shelf of the steamer and all of the vegetables in the top basket.
  • Use salt and pepper to season vegetables to taste. 
  • Steam fish for approximately 20 minutes. Your vegetables may be at a tender-crisp state at this point. If you want the vegetables to be more cooked, remove the fish and continue steaming vegetables for an additional 5 minutes to achieve desired results. 
  • Cut cooked vegetables into bite-size pieces.
  • To serve, place a piece of fish on each plate, add vegetables, and squeeze fresh lemon juice over each serving.
  • Enjoy!
  • Notes

    Washing the vegetables well and cutting them into large pieces and leaving the skin on results in the best texture and maintains many nutrients that would otherwise be lost.

    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    4

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 259Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 329mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 6gSugar: 6gProtein: 42g

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