How can i steam veggies without a steamer

Together, these factors make using a mesh sieve or colander a natural choice. Using this method, you can readily steam up a dish of delicate fern fiddleheads. To steam with it, you can either shape it into a trivet or perforate it for a makeshift colander.

If you're wondering what a trivet is, think of it as any object designed to buffer direct heat. In cooking, this could be the grate that lies on top of a gas stove. To make an aluminum foil trivet, tear off 1 to 2 feet of aluminum foil and roll it into the shape of a donut.

Place it into the pan on your stovetop, then once the water is boiling, add your vegetables to a heatproof bowl and place it onto the aluminum foil trivet—ta-da! To create a colander from aluminum foil, measure and tear a portion that fits over the rim of your pan, providing enough space to both create a depression in your foil and to fold the edges over your pan.

Keep in mind that this method uses a lot of foil, so it may be best used only when in a pinch. Those wire racks you use to cool your baked goods can double as an easy steamer when you need it—but just to be clear, we mean veggies in this case. This is a pretty straightforward method, only requiring the usual pan of boiling water the wider the better and a wire rack.

The Pioneer Woman Products. Type keyword s to search. Danielle Daly. How do you steam vegetables without a steamer? Should you salt water when steaming vegetables? How long should I steam vegetables? Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. Yields: 2 cups.

Prep Time: 0 hours 5 mins. However, when it comes to cooking, there are more than one or two ways to do something, even steaming. If you are cooking vegetables, a steamer basket comes in useful. You can steam with a wide variety of items that you probably already have in your kitchen. You only need a metal bowl or a baking dish, a large pot, as well as some aluminium foil to create a steamer at home.

So, without the need for a steamer basket, how do you steam veggies? The pot should be filled in with about half an inch of water. Place a metal colander or strainer inside, and ensure that there is enough space between the strainer and the boiling water. In that situation, a strainer with a heat-resistant handle would be ideal. You can also use an oven mitt to protect yourself. Heat the water to a boil with the food in a single layer in the strainer, then reduce the heat to slightly bubbling.

The amount of water you add depends on the amount of vegetables you have in your bowl. If you are steaming a large amount of vegetables, then consider adding a little more water. The water that is left behind on the rinsed leafy vegetables will be enough to steam them. Rest the lid on the bowl, but do not snap it closed. You want there to be space for the steam to escape, otherwise the lid might pop off in the microwave.

This would not only make a mess in your microwave, but also will prevent your vegetables from steaming properly. Microwave the vegetables for 2 to 5 minutes, then check them. Most vegetables should be properly steamed after 5 minutes, but that time can vary depending on the amount and type of vegetables you have in the bowl.

So take a fork and prod some of the smallest and largest vegetables, and check the tenderness and texture. Broccoli will typically take about 2 or 3 minutes steam, while denser vegetables like potatoes will take 5 minutes or more to steam thoroughly. Pour water into the base of a saucepan. Choose a saucepan that a colander will fit into.

Insert the colander in the saucepan. Cut the broccoli into florets. Heat the saucepan until the water boils, then add the florets and add a lid. Steam for minutes, then serve. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0. If I don't have a steamer, couldn't I just steam the veggies in the microwave?

Choose your deepest pot or saucepan, one that has sufficient depth for the asparagus lengths but not the top sections. Using kitchen foil, shape a ring like a doughnut; the inner hole should be wide enough for the asparagus to be inserted in. Fill the pot with water, float the foil ring on the top. Boil the water, then add the asparagus stalks ad make sure the top spears stay well above the water. The steam will rise up from the water and steam them. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Related wikiHows How to. How to. More References About This Article. Co-authored by:. Co-authors: 4. Updated: March 31, Categories: Fruits and Vegetables. Article Summary X To steam vegetables in the microwave, first place the chopped veggies in a microwave-safe bowl.

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