Image by whologwhy
One of the easiest ways to cook vegetables is to steam them. Of course, we all have visions in our heads of overcooked, yucky-smelling vegetables from cafeterias or perhaps well-meaning parents who didn’t know how to cook. You know…the ones that are totally limp and have no flavor left to them. Who wants to eat that?
Luckily it doesn’t have to be that way. You can easily steam veggies so that they are nicely cooked and still slightly crisp and flavorful. It’s easy, too!
How to Steam Vegetables
You will need:
- About 1/2 lb. of a veggie of your choice (I’m using broccoli)
- 1/2 c. water
- A wide 2 qt. or larger saucepan with lid
- A steaming basket
Step 1: Place your steaming basket into your pot. Add your veggies. Mine were frozen and that’s okay; you don’t have to thaw them first.
Step 2: Add your water on top. Put the lid on your pot, and take it to the stove. It will cook on medium heat for 5 – 10 minutes. Look for steam to appear and it will take around 5 minutes after this, but the exact time depends on the size of the veggies in the pot.
Step 3: Stick a fork in the veggies to check if they’re done. They should still be firm, but you should be able to poke them. They also should still be brightly colored. If they’re limp and have lost much of their color — you’ve cooked them too long! Always check on your veggies sooner rather than later.
Remember that if you keep the lid on the pot, even if you turn the heat off, there is still steam and they will still continue to cook. Don’t try to keep them warm this way. If the rest of the meal isn’t ready yet, keep the pot prepared but OFF until the last few minutes before serving. Then turn it on to start the veggies steaming. It really doesn’t take long.
Once they’re done, dump them into a bowl or onto plates and add a pat of butter and some real sea salt. That fat makes it taste delicious, but also helps you to absorb the vitamins in the veggies. Perfect!
I steam veggies if I need a side dish very quickly (like when I’ve forgotten about making a side until the main dish is just about done!) but our very favorite way to prepare veggies is to roast them.
I cook my veggies like this. I LOVE broccoli! I frequently crave broccoli, asparagus, okra & avocado (not all together). I guess I like green. 🙂