steaming veggies

[Luvourlives]

I am completely addicted to those ready to steam bags of veggies that you just toss in the microwave for 5 minutes. They are quick easy and taste way better than the frozen veggies I was steaming myself in the microwave. My kids are much more agreeable to eating them too. But they can be SO expensive, even on sale. And the portion in the bag is often a tad large for our family so there is also some waste involved. This is perhaps a stupid question but how can I cook veggies so that they taste good and are less expensive. I have never cooked fresh veggies and don't own a steamer (but could get one if it was worth it!)

[Marisol]

What was your process for steaming in the microwave before you discovered the steam bags?

I've been doing it the same way for years with no complaints. Veggies in a bowl with some water, and maybe a shake or two of dried minced onion. Put plastic wrap over the top and microwave for 5 minutes or so. Drain off water and throw a pat of butter on top. *shrug* I've never had the steam bag ones. Maybe I'm missing out.

[mtm]

I have a steamer basket for the top of my pot, I don't like microwaves and the thought of using a ziploc type plastic bag in the microwave makes me twitch.

[Yooper]

Use fresh veggies and a steamer pan on the stove. A steamer pan is a regular-looking lidded pot, usually with a small steam vent, with a basket inside. Wash and chop your veggies, put them in the basket, put the basket in the pot, add a little water to the bottom of the pot and cook. I have an electric stove so I usually put the burner on hot to get the water boiling, then turn it down to a vigorous simmer until everything is cooked. If you have a general cookbook like Better Homes and Gardens, they usually have a section which details how long each veggie should be steamed. However, I usually just get a fork and try out the veggies to figure out when they are done to my liking. For things I steam every day, I just sense when they are done You can use a steamer pan for frozen veggies too but I find fresh in-season produce to be cheaper and tastier. I also do not bother to "wash" the pan with each use. I just quickly rinse after I have served the veggies. I use mine twice a day and would be washing a lot if I did a full wash with each use.

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by mtm

I have a steamer basket for the top of my pot, I don't like microwaves and the thought of using a ziploc type plastic bag in the microwave makes me twitch.

:

Personally I don't do traditional steaming with most veggies - too many dishes involved. I do more of a steam-roasting. Heat up a stainless skillet (with lid) with a little butter, toss the veggies in, toss them to coat and get them a little color - add any salt/pepper/spices. Then dump in about 1/4-1/2 c of water (just enough to cover the bottom of the pan), clap the lid on and let it cook a couple minutes. Then take the lid off and let any liquid left evaporate and serve.

It sounds kind of like a lot - but once you clap the lid on, you can wash a couple dishes, set the table, get the rest of the food onto the table, etc. And bonus is that the only thing dirty is a single skillet - which is easy enough to wash quickly.

[mormontreehugger]

Ooh ooh! Fresh veggies (in season of course) are cheaper than frozen ones? I've actually been thinking about this lately.... My mother always steamed the frozen mixed veggies in her steamer pot basket thingy so that's what I was used to growing up.

I also love those microwave steam things but I've graduated to the little colander thingy you can put in a regular saucepan (what ARE those things called?) and I just had to learn to not overcook broccoli (it does NOT taste good...). Adding my own seasonings was easy because I'm easily pleased--a little butter, salt (maybe seasoned salt if I'm feeling adventurous lol) and that's it. DH seasons his own because he likes spicier stuff than I do. Also, I've done that with both fresh and frozen veggies and it works out. There's just a little trial and error involved (especially if you have ADD)

[velochic]

I roast almost all of my veggies. Salt, pepper, tad bit of olive oil and put the pan in the oven. Roasted vegetables are always more tasty, their flavors concentrate and none of the nutrition is lost. You can also roast them without oil by soaking in water, then letting the oven do the steaming.

I would personally never use those steam-in-bag veggies, not because of the price but because of cooking in plastic.

[Luvourlives]

Originally Posted by Marisol

What was your process for steaming in the microwave before you discovered the steam bags?

I've been doing it the same way for years with no complaints. Veggies in a bowl with some water, and maybe a shake or two of dried minced onion. Put plastic wrap over the top and microwave for 5 minutes or so. Drain off water and throw a pat of butter on top. *shrug* I've never had the steam bag ones. Maybe I'm missing out.

That was what I was doing, always w/ frozen veggies...they were never well received by the kids and now that I have had the other kind, I feel the taste of what I was formerly preparing is seriously lacking.

[Contrariety]

Steam basket... the only way I'll steam veggies.

[lalaland42]

Originally Posted by velochic

I roast almost all of my veggies. Salt, pepper, tad bit of olive oil and put the pan in the oven. Roasted vegetables are always more tasty, their flavors concentrate and none of the nutrition is lost. You can also roast them without oil by soaking in water, then letting the oven do the steaming.

I would personally never use those steam-in-bag veggies, not because of the price but because of cooking in plastic.

:

[sunnysandiegan]

Originally Posted by velochic

I roast almost all of my veggies. Salt, pepper, tad bit of olive oil and put the pan in the oven. Roasted vegetables are always more tasty, their flavors concentrate and none of the nutrition is lost. You can also roast them without oil by soaking in water, then letting the oven do the steaming.

I would personally never use those steam-in-bag veggies, not because of the price but because of cooking in plastic.

Your "recipe" sounds sooooo YUMMY!!!!! I am sooooo craving veggies now!!!

We have stainless steel cookware (Premiere 2100 aka CookBest) and we cook fresh veggies with the "waterless" method recommended by our cookware. Wash and chop veggies. Put in pot. Run water in pot over veggies. Hold your hand over veggies and tip pot over until veggies start to tip out. Leave the rest of the water in the pot. (It is basically the amount of water that clings to the veggies and covers the bottom of the pan.) Put lid on pot with steam vent open. Turn heat on high/med-high. (We have gas and eyeball settings.) When pot whistles, LEAVE THE LID ON! Close the steam vent and turn the heat down to low. Spin the lid. If it spins easily, then the heat is perfect. Adjust heat until lid spins. From here, it is experience that guides how long to cook the veggies. Thicker, sturdier veggies (carrots, for example) take longer than thinner, more fragile veggies (fresh spinach leaves, for example). All told, all veggies are fast to cook and taste delicious this way. Full of FLAVOR and never mushy, yet not hard as a rock like restaurants serve them these days.

[karne]

I second roasting the veggies! I find that certain root veggies almost carmalize while roasting. Our fav-roasted beets, olive oil, salt and pepper, tossed w/ goat cheese. Roasted veggies are excellent in salads or cous cous if you have leftovers. They hold their shape and texture pretty well.

Ick...plastic in the microwave is not ok for us.

[annettemarie]

Moving to Nutrition and Good Eating since this is more a question of food preparation

[Sailor]

I use a steamer basket as well. Both frozen and fresh veggies work there. So, you can buy frozen (or fresh) and just steam the portion you need.

[lil_earthmomma]

Blech, I hate steamed veggies. Roasted veggies, and sauteed veggies have WAY more flavor imho.

I usually saute with butter or evoo, lemon, crushed garlic, salt and pepper. I like them to still have a little bite or crunch, so I barely cook them.

(We eat most of our veggies raw btw, I just like em better that way.)

[Snowflower]

Originally Posted by mtm

I have a steamer basket for the top of my pot, I don't like microwaves and the thought of using a ziploc type plastic bag in the microwave makes me twitch.

I Love my little steamer basket thingy!! Get one!