Silly question - steamers *(Audrey)

[Guest guest]

Audrey,

 

    Those little fold-up steamers that fit inside a regular saucepan are great! 

I use my stainless steel one very frequently.  It's really fun to chop up a

bunch of vegetables, pull out a bit of this or that from the fridge veggie bin

and add it to a mix of things in the steamer.  After steaming it for a few

minutes, most things are nicely done--whether you like it " crisp-tender " or more

" tender " than crisp!  My DH will eat most anything that I mix together in

the steamer.  Flavors come out distinct, yet somehow blended at the same time! 

I love it for the convenience--and it is supposedly very " nutritional " when

foods are cooked in a steamer!  (You don't have to water down things by

" boiling " them!)

 

    My advice--yes, keep the lid on, but you don't have to fret if you take the

lid off to check on something.  The steam comes right back when you close it up

again.  It isn't quite the same as what a rice cooker is--better not to remove

the lid when rice is cooking.  I always put enough water in to reach the bottom

of the " basket " , but not get the veggies IN the basket wet.  And one more thing:

don't let the boiling water in the saucepan boil dry--most

foods are DONE in a fairly short time, so, once you get your food cooked in the

steam basket, turn off the heat so that pan where the water is won't boil dry.

 

    Have fun with your steam basket!  It's one of the kitchen " gadgets " that I

would hate to be without, and it makes fixing cooked vegetables a breeze!

 

Peace and blessings!

--Laura B., in Illinois

 

 

Silly question - steamers

    Posted by: " Audrey Snyder " AudeeBird audreylynnsnyder

    Wed May 6, 2009 8:35 am ((PDT))

 

Never had one before. I bought a silicone one the other night that is

supposed to fit in all sizes of pots. How much water do I put in the bottom

of the pan? I know I'm supposed to cover the pan. How long does it take to

steam, say, asparagus? Does it screw it up if I take the lid off to check

how soft the veggies are?

 

Thanks!

Audrey S.