The technique is simple: fill a medium pot with 1/2 inch of water, place three golf ball–sized balls of aluminum foil on the bottom, rest a heat-proof plate on top of the foil balls, cover the pot, and bring the water to a boil. Add vegetables to the plate, cover, and steam until crisp-tender.
What can I use if I don’t have a steamer?
If you don’t steam food frequently—‚or if you find yourself in need of a steaming basket, stat—don’t run out and buy one. All you need is a metal colander or a baking rack, a big pot, and some aluminum foil, and you’ve got everything you need to make a steamer at home.
Can I boil vegetables instead of steaming?
Boiling veggies leads to a lot of nutrient loss, and the longer the veggie boils, the more nutrients will escape into the water. Steaming veggies on the other hand is a brief process, and it is the method that leads to the least loss of nutrients in most veggies.
How do you steam vegetables on the stove top?
How do you steam vegetables in a pan?
- Fill a medium pan with around 2 inches of water and bring to the boil.
- Cover and cook until tender. Top up with a splash more water if the pan boils dry.
Can I use a colander as a steamer?
So, can you use a colander as a steamer? This hack says yes. It’s just simple. All you need to do is put your food in a large colander and set it on top of your pot of water.
Is it quicker to steam or boil vegetables?
Steaming makes your vegetables taste better. Steaming is faster than boiling. Steaming is far more energy- and time-efficient than boiling. … boiling because most of you are wasting your time, waiting for a big pot of water to boil while your hungry family sits growing more famished.
Is it better to blanch or steam vegetables?
What’s the Difference Between Boiling and Steaming? … Steam blanching, which takes a few minutes longer than your average blanching time, typically maintains more of the nutritional value than water blanching, dropping vegetables straight into boiling water, where nutrients can get extracted and lost forever.
Should carrots be boiled or steamed?
Is it better to boil or to steam them? Generally speaking, when cooking vegetables, steaming is preferable to boiling. Steamed vegetables remain separate from the hot water, allowing them to retain more nutrients.
How do you Flavour boiled vegetables?
7 ways to bring more flavor to steamed vegetables
- Salt and pepper. A dish is never going to taste great if salt and pepper aren’t involved in it in the slightest. …
- Olive oil. …
- Vinegar. …
- Soy sauce or broth. …
- Lemon juice. …
- Garlic. …
- Herbs.
How long does it take to boil vegetables?
Boil: Add water to cover. Boil, uncovered 15 to 20 minutes or until tender. Steam: 18 to 22 minutes or until tender.
How do you make steam?
Steam is traditionally created by heating a boiler via burning coal and other fuels, but it is also possible to create steam with solar energy. Water vapor that includes water droplets is described as wet steam.
Can you use a strainer as a steamer?
To steam vegetables with a strainer or colander, follow the same steps as you would with a steamer basket. The most important thing about this method is to make sure that your strainer or colander can withstand heat. … Place your strainer or colander into a pot and fill with water until the water line is just below it.
Is it safe to steam with aluminum foil?
In all honesty, you’re probably safe, as long as you’re not over-using aluminum foil in your cooking. “For the majority of people, this shouldn’t be a problem, as the amount of aluminum that is pulled into the food during the cooking process is very immaterial,” says Adams. Just keep moderation in mind.