Which method involves cooking food surrounded by steam?

The method that involves cooking food surrounded by steam is steaming. This technique entails placing food in a vessel above boiling water, allowing the steam to permeate and cook the food evenly while preserving moisture, flavor, and nutrients. Steaming is particularly effective for delicate items such as vegetables, fish, and dumplings, as it cooks them gently without the risk of drying them out or compromising their texture.

In contrast, baking involves cooking food in an oven using dry heat. Boiling cooks food by submerging it in rapidly bubbling water, which is a different process than the use of steam. Sautéing requires fats and direct heat in a skillet to cook food quickly, often resulting in browning. Each method has its distinct applications and outcomes, but steaming specifically relates to the use of steam as the primary cooking medium.