gestoomde

Gestoomde is a Dutch term meaning prepared by steaming, and it denotes foods that have been cooked using steam rather than by boiling, frying, or roasting. It is the past participle of stomen and is used as an adjective in front of a noun, for example gestoomde groenten or gestoomde zalm. The base participle is gestoomd, while gestoomde is the form commonly seen before nouns.

Etymology and grammar notes: The word comes from stomen, the verb for steaming. In culinary contexts, gestoomd acts as the participle, with gestoomde serving as the attributive form that agrees with the noun it describes. This label appears in recipes, menus, and nutritional guidance to indicate the preparation method without specifying the exact equipment.

Preparation and methods: Steaming involves cooking with vapor produced by boiling water beneath or beside the food. Common home methods include a traditional steamer or a steamer basket placed over a pot, electric steamers, or microwave steaming in a dish with a small amount of water. Steaming tends to preserve moisture and many nutrients while avoiding added fats, often yielding a tender yet firm texture.

Culinary context and usage: In Dutch cuisine, gestoomde is used to describe a prepared dish or component that has been steamed, such as gestoomde groenten or gestoomde vis. The term is frequently contrasted with koken (boiling) and bakken (frying) in cooking instructions and nutritional guidance. While several cuisines rely on steaming, gestoomde appears primarily in Dutch-language culinary writing and product labeling.