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| Photo: roundstable.com |
Steaming vegetables is quick, easy and healthy. It maintains vitamins and nutrients of the vegetables and takes less time than other methods of cooking.
Vegetables suitable for steaming include: Pick one vegetable to steam or mix it up with a couple of veggies that require the same amount of time to steam. Choose: Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, artichokes or green beans. Leafy greens; Baby bok choy, spinach and Chinese broccoli also steam well but take only a couple of minutes.
A medium or large saucepan, stockpot or dutch oven with tight fitting lid. A stainless steel steamer basket (not plastic!!!). It can be purchased online, at most grocery stores and box stores for under $5. They are adjustable and fit most pans from medium size sauce pans to stock pots.
How to Steam:
Wash, cut or trim your vegetables into uniform size pieces.
Fill saucepan or stock pot with 1-2 inches of water (just below the steamer basket base). Place the steaming basket inside; add vegetables and cover with a tight fitting lid.
Turn the burner on High. Once the water boils, it takes anywhere from 5 to 12 minutes to cook depending on the size and density of the vegetables. Occasionally, check the vegetables and remove them from the pan when they are fork tender but still crisp.
Serve piping hot right out of the pan or add a flavor enhancing topping.
Flavorful toppings:
* Lightly drizzle a healthy oil... olive, walnut, avocado or melted ghee.
* Add a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
* Add a sprinkling of herb blend from a grinder.
* Sprinkle with a few roasted nuts or seeds.
Refrigerate leftovers in glass containers; individually packaged alongside a meat of your choice for quick 'grab-n-go' meals the next day.
Avoid...
We do not recommend microwave cooking or using the microwave-ready steam veggie packs you can purchase at the grocery store. Heating, cooking or even reheating food inside plastic is never a healthy option. Avoid it.
* Lightly drizzle a healthy oil... olive, walnut, avocado or melted ghee.
* Add a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
* Add a sprinkling of herb blend from a grinder.
* Sprinkle with a few roasted nuts or seeds.
Refrigerate leftovers in glass containers; individually packaged alongside a meat of your choice for quick 'grab-n-go' meals the next day.
Avoid...
We do not recommend microwave cooking or using the microwave-ready steam veggie packs you can purchase at the grocery store. Heating, cooking or even reheating food inside plastic is never a healthy option. Avoid it.