Steaming is a great way to cook fish, locking in its natural flavour and nutrients without ruining its delicate texture. If you don't have a steamer, you can use a steamer basket, which can be bought for as little as $20, and some pots and pans. Here's how to steam fish using a steamer basket:First, arrange your fish inside the steamer basket. Season your whole fish or fillets to taste, and place them at the bottom of the basket in a single layer, leaving at least 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) of space between each piece of fish to prevent sticking or uneven heating. If you're using a bamboo basket, line the bottom surface with parchment paper or lettuce, cabbage, or banana leaves to prevent the fish from sticking to the moist wood.Next, fill a pot with 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) of water. Make sure the water level remains below the bottom edge of your steamer basket so that it doesn’t spill over onto your fish. If you want to add more flavour, you can use other types of liquids for steaming, such as broths, stocks, and cooking wines.Then, bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Place the pot on the cooktop and switch on the burner. Allow the water to warm up for 5-6 minutes, or until it reaches a full boil. You want it to be producing a thick curtain of steam by the time you add your fish.Now, set the steamer basket inside the pot. Most steamer baskets are designed to slip right inside any pot with a larger diameter. Some even have ridges that allow them to be hooked onto the rim of a pot or pan, ensuring that they stay put and hover well above the boiling water. Lower the steamer basket quickly to minimise the risk of burns, and be careful not to drop the basket or the fish.Cover the pot with a lid and double-check that it's secure. Steam will escape if the lid is even slightly ajar, decreasing the temperature inside the pot and increasing your cook time.Finally, steam the fish for 5-7 minutes. Be prepared to give thick, dense fillets and steaks a little longer, up to 10-12 minutes. Fully cooked fish will turn opaque all the way through and flake easily with a fork.Use a potholder or oven mitt to safely extract your steamer basket from the pot. Rest the basket on a heat-resistant surface until you're ready to serve the fish. Most steamer baskets are slotted, so there should be no need to drain them before serving., The easiest way to steam a fresh fish dinner to perfection is to simply pop it in a steamer oven. If you don’t own one of these handy devices, however, you can easily rig up your own makeshift steamer using only an ordinary pot or pan, a cooking ring or steamer basket, and a couple inches of water., Learn how to steam fish perfectly without a steamer! Easy, effective techniques to master this healthy cooking method with delicious results..