He spent 10 years working front- and back-of-house in a few casual and upscale restaurants, adding professional experience to his love of eating and cooking. But if you don't have one, that doesn't mean this cooking method is off the table for you; steaming veggies without a steamer is certainly possible. Pour half an inch of the water into a large pot. Place your steamer basket into a pot and fill with water until it’s just below the basket. If you have long veggies you want to steam, just wrap them in a wet paper towel and put them on a microwaveable or in a microwave-safe dish. eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'ireallylikefood_com-leader-4','ezslot_7',602,'0','0']));For shorter vegetables, like broccoli and cauliflower, you should place them in a microwave safe dish and put a little water in the dish. Cooking times typically range from about three to 20 minutes when steaming. So, if you're steaming carrots without a steamer, it takes considerably longer than steaming spinach, one of the fastest-cooking veggies. They come out of the microwave nicely steamed, looking plump and moist. Make sure that the colander is not touching the water within the pot. Pauline is a mother of four, when she isn't cooking up new dishes for her family and friends, she likes to dine out at newly-opened restaurants (especially tapas!) And many people don't realize that steaming is a good option for preparing leafy greens like spinach, kale, cabbage and collard greens. Besides that, if the rice cooker does not have a basket then do not get worried. You can always steam frozen vegetables directly, however. eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'ireallylikefood_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_10',609,'0','0']));If you use the microwave or the covered pot method to cook frozen vegetables, there is a good chance that they will turn out soggy. But need to way until the rice is cooked a halfway. Cover the pot and cook the veggies until they're tender-crisp, or until leafy greens have wilted. The most common way to steam vegetables is by using a pot with a good fitting lid and a metal steamer basket. -Place the aluminium foil into the bottom of the pan. There isn’t a one size fits all solution for how to steam vegetables without a steamer, so please keep that in mind. Place your metal colander inside the pot. 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While we have shown you how to steam canned vegetables without a steamer in the microwave, some canned or fresh vegetables benefit more from one method over another. Scoop them out and toss them in a little oil or melted butter, if you like, and season to taste. Many of the cooking methods people use to prepare veggies can rob them of their nutrients, making them less beneficial to you. A steaming basket is the traditional kitchen tool for steaming food, and it's a handy gadget to have around. Steaming veggies, whether fresh or frozen, in a stainless steel steamer basket or a bamboo steamer is also one of the healthiest cooking methods. Place the heatproof plate on the foil balls and put the veggies on the plate. Take some aluminium foil and form three balls with it (about the size of a golf ball), then put them into the water. His stories on food and beverage topics have appeared in numerous print and web publications, including Visit Florida, Orlando Style Magazine, CrushBrew Magazine, Agent Magazine, Dollar Stretcher Magazine, The 863 Magazine and others. All help is greatly appereciated. Place frozen vegetables in a bowl of water, covered, on the counter. These baskets are inexpensive and sold in most supermarkets. Use some water, depending on the pot and lid you are having. This works okay, but it’s probably the least successful method, because it tends to make the vegetables taste watery. Defrost frozen vegetables in the microwave. You don’t need a steamer to get that wonderfully tender, juicy, steamed experience with your veggies, and we will show you how to do it. If you’re steaming a large number of vegetables, place the steamer basket in a Dutch oven instead of a large saucepan to cook more vegetables at once. Each vegetable is different, and you will have to experiment or research as to which steaming or cooking method works best with each one. Or fish? Kitchen Equipment Needs. Frying, grilling and pan searing may all make your vegetables taste good, but they aren’t good at keeping the nutrients locked in and ready to be used. Watch this video to learn a genius trick to steam vegetables and other foods with just a bit of tinfoil and a heatproof plate. This is why it is preferable to thaw them out first or cook them in a pan with no water rather than try to steam them while they are frozen. 15th January 2021, 8:08 am. Steaming Vegetables in a Steamer Heat the water in your steamer. Steaming the veggies is going to take around 5 to 15 minutes depending on their toughness. Cover the pot to trap the steam and cook the veggies on a low heat. Fill the pot with enough water so that it just barely reaches the bottom of the colander or steamer basket. Now give yourself a pat on the back for making your very own vegetable steamer. Whether you use an electric steamer, a bamboo steamer, or a microwaveable plastic bag or dish, steam vegetables will retain more texture, flavor, and nutritional value when you prepare them with this indirect form of heat and… Use some water Or shrimp? eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'ireallylikefood_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_9',607,'0','0']));For this steaming method to work, you need to have the pot covered very tightly. Steaming softens vegetables while maintaining most of their nutrients, especially water-soluble compounds that are easily damaged by heat. Just place your vegetables into the cooking vessel and add a couple of inches of water. Pauline This simple, direct method of cooking is one of the reasons I love eating in Japan. Carrots, beets: about eight to 12 minutes. Veg to avoid steaming – Any large chunks of hard veg, such as potatoes, squash or celeriac. Season the vegetables. I steam food so often that to me, owning a stainless steel steamer is a … Broccoli, cauliflower: about seven to 10 minutes. Bring the water to a boil, then turn the heat down to medium-low. and review them in her blog posts. Pauline 2. People can be so creative when it comes to cooking methods, and we want to share one of the more creative methods we have come across. Just use all the same methods we have listed above and expect them to take longer to steam fully if they are frozen as compared to thawed. Your metal colander is going to need to hang inside and along the rim of your pot. Some approximate cooking times (remember, they vary by the size of the pieces) for commonly steamed vegetables are: You can also use the microwave to steam vegetables without a steaming basket. I mean, let's be honest, I probably like steamed vegetables … Ok, I am not sure if I am in the right section for this, but I need to know how to steam vegetables without a steamer. While you don’t need special equipment to steam vegetables if you plan to serve steamed veggies frequently a steamer basket might be worth purchasing. Source(s): steam fruits vegetables steamer: https://tinyurl.im/y1p82. It's particularly useful for preparing many types of vegetables. Amazon and the Amazon logo or trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.SitemapTerms & ConditionsCookie PolicyAffiliate DisclaimerPrivacy Policy, How to Steam Vegetables without a Steamer, How to Freeze Fresh Blueberries Without Ruining the Taste, How to Cut Tomatoes for Different Uses & How to Store Cut Tomatoes, Shallow Fried Chicken Flautas Recipe | Crispy Mexican Rolled Tacos, YouTube Video UC3ZgPPuKi-iT2_Sma7X0b1w_Lr93-Lrk6cc, Easy Potato & Garlic Soup Recipes (40 min recipe), YouTube Video UC3ZgPPuKi-iT2_Sma7X0b1w_67F5Q3JMcAs. Or shrimp? 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