Anyone know anything about cooking?

[-Raina-]

I'm supposed to make steamed dumplings for a party (unfortunately, I wasn't given any choice on the matter), but I don't exactly have spare change to buy a steamer right now. Is there a way to steam cook using some other method? I've got an oven, pots, pans, a microwave, etc...just nothing fancy, like a steamer. I need to have it ready by Sunday, so I don't have a whole lot of time to figure something out. @__@;;;

[nobodyknows]

@Raina- I make a mean Eggy toast... but all I can really cook aside from that is breakfast meals.. bleeeehhh

[shugo_lover]

Who doesn't have a steamer? jk,I don't have one either. Anyway I normally just dump them in a boiling pot.

[-Loveless-]

I usually use a mesher (think what's that called) over a pot of boiling water and cover the steam things with a wet towel. Don't recommend it though.

[Erranty]

I usually use a mesher (think what's that called) over a pot of boiling water and cover the steam things with a wet towel. Don't recommend it though.

Its called a strainer.

And that's not that far off from what you need. If you're really desperate I'll tell you what to do.

Go buy a thing of kabob sticks, string, staples,and some ducktape. Make sure you have a large pot.

Line up the sticks next to eachother, not super tight, but enough that dumplings wont fall through. Make sure it can fit in your pot.

Put 2 or 3 going the other direction at each of the ends of the group of sticks. Cut them if you need so they can fit in your pot. These are your supports for the other sticks.

Put a strip of ductape over each line of supports so they stay in place, and roll it over the ends of the other sticks. Staple it together in a few spots or the ductape MAY come unstuck to the sticks from all the steam.

Now attach your string securely to each corner, about a foot long each strand, and tie them all together at the end so they act like a handle.

Fill the pot about 1/3 of the way with water. Hold the dumpling loaded wooden tray you just made about an inch above the water and set the lid down on the strings to it doesn't fall into the water, you may want a clear lid for this.

Turn the burner on and leave it on low, if the water gets too how it'll just boil instead of steam.

When you think the dumplings are done just take them out, cut one in half to see if its cooked, taste it to see if its done, and start another batch.


It should basically end up being like this:

[-Raina-]

I ended up putting a strainer over a pot of boiling water and covering it with the lid that goes over hte pot. It was a success!

The kabob stick idea sounds useful, but I didn't have time to go out and buy the stuff. Thanks for the ideas, everyone, I'll keep them in mind in the future. =)