Steaming Veggies: Birdseye's Quick Cooking Time Perfected

Birds Eye's Steamfresh range offers a convenient way to cook vegetables in the microwave without any hassle. The Steamfresh bags are designed to puff up under steam pressure, creating an even cooking environment for the vegetables inside. This innovative method ensures perfectly steamed veggies every time. The bags are available in nine varieties, including Broccoli, Carrots, Sugar Snap Peas & Water Chestnuts, Mixed Vegetables, Super Sweet Corn, and Sweet Peas. With Birds Eye Steamfresh, you can enjoy tasty and nutritious vegetables in just a few minutes.

Cooking times for different wattages

The cooking time for Birds Eye Steamfresh vegetables depends on the wattage of your microwave and the number of bags you are cooking.

If you are cooking one bag of the Super Sunshine Mix, which includes carrots, peas, and sweetcorn, the cooking time varies as follows:

• 700W: 3 minutes
• 800W: 3 minutes
• 900W: 2.5 minutes

If you are cooking two bags, the cooking time varies as follows:

• 700W: 6 minutes
• 800W: 6 minutes
• 900W: 5 minutes

The cooking times are similar for the Birds Eye Steamfresh Family Favourite Mix, which includes carrots, broccoli, and sweetcorn. For one bag of this mix, the cooking time varies as follows:

• 700W: 2.5 minutes
• 800W: 2.5 minutes
• 900W: 2 minutes

And for two bags of the Family Favourite Mix, the cooking time varies as follows:

• 700W: 4.5 minutes
• 800W: 4.5 minutes
• 900W: 4 minutes

Regardless of the wattage or the number of bags, it is recommended to let the bag stand for 1 minute after cooking before serving.

It is important to note that these are guidelines only and that cooking times may vary depending on your microwave. Always ensure that the food is cooked until piping hot before serving.

Preparing the vegetables

The cooking time will vary depending on the power of your microwave and the number of bags you are cooking. For a 700W microwave, cook for 3 minutes for one bag and 6 minutes for two bags. For an 800W microwave, cook for 3 minutes for one bag and 6 minutes for two bags. For a 900W microwave, cook for 2 and a half minutes for one bag and 5 minutes for two bags.

After cooking, let the bag stand for a minute. Then, remove the bag from the microwave and cut it open. Be careful, as the contents will be very hot.

If you are steaming your own vegetables, first wash them and cut them into manageable pieces of roughly the same size. Place them in a microwave-safe dish and add 1-2 tablespoons of water. Cover the dish with a lid and microwave until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.

Placing the bag in the microwave

To cook Birds Eye Steamfresh vegetables, start by opening the outer bag. Remove the steam bag(s) and place them with the printed/green corner side up, unopened, into the microwave. Make sure that the bags are not overlapping if you're cooking more than one bag. Do not pierce the bag or microwave the outer packaging.

Microwave on full power for the following durations, depending on your microwave's wattage and the number of bags:

• 700W: 1 bag 2 1/2-3 mins, 2 bags 4 1/2-6 mins
• 800W: 1 bag 2 1/2-3 mins, 2 bags 4 1/2-6 mins
• 900W: 1 bag 2-2 1/2 mins, 2 bags 4-5 mins

Let the bag stand for a minute after cooking. Remove the bag from the microwave, shake, then cut it open to serve. Be careful, as the contents will be very hot.

During cooking, the bag will slowly inflate as steam builds up. A special vent in the bag will allow the steam to escape slowly, and you may hear a slight whistling sound.

Cooking the vegetables

The cooking time for Birds Eye Steamfresh vegetables depends on the type of vegetable and the number of bags being cooked. Here is a step-by-step guide to cooking Birds Eye Steamfresh vegetables:

Preparation

Open the outer bag and remove the steam bag(s). Place the bag(s) with the printed/green corner facing upwards, unopened, into the microwave. If you are cooking more than one bag, ensure they are not overlapping.

Cooking

Do not pierce the bag and do not microwave the outer packaging. Refer to the following cooking times for different wattages:

• For 700W, cook 1 bag for 3 minutes or 2 bags for 6 minutes.
• For 800W, cook 1 bag for 3 minutes or 2 bags for 6 minutes.
• For 900W, cook 1 bag for 2.5 minutes or 2 bags for 5 minutes.

Standing

Allow the bag to stand in the microwave for 1 minute. Then, carefully remove the bag from the microwave, as the contents will be very hot.

Serving

Tear the bag open along the dotted line and pour the vegetables into a serving dish. Be sure to shake the bag before opening to ensure even distribution of flavours and to prevent scalding.

Enjoy!

Your Birds Eye Steamfresh vegetables are now ready to be served and enjoyed!

Notes:

• The cooking times provided are guidelines only, and the vegetables should be cooked until piping hot.
• It is important to not refreeze the vegetables after defrosting.
• Always cook the vegetables before consumption and do not eat them raw.

Serving the vegetables

Once you've cooked your Birds Eye Steamfresh vegetables, it's important to be careful when removing them from the microwave. The bag will have inflated during cooking, and it will be very hot. Open the bag by tearing it along the dotted line—be cautious of the steam!

After you've drained the vegetables, they're ready to serve. The whole family will love these veggies, which are packed with taste and nutritional value.

You can serve the vegetables as a side with a whole range of dishes. Why not try them with some shortcrust steak pies or meat-free sausages? They'd also go well with fish or chargrilled chicken.

If you're serving the vegetables to young children, you might want to let them cool down a little first. The Steamfresh range is a great way to get kids to eat their veggies—they're crisp but soft enough for little teeth to manage.

Frequently asked questions