Steam-Free Veggies: Broccoli And Carrots Perfectly Cooked

Broccoli and carrots are healthy, versatile vegetables that can be cooked in a variety of ways. If you don't own a steamer, there are several alternative methods you can use to cook these vegetables. For broccoli, you can use a pot with a lid and about an inch of boiling water, cooking the broccoli for around 3 to 5 minutes. Alternatively, you can use a microwave-safe container with a little water and cook the broccoli for a similar duration. Carrots can also be steamed without a steamer by using a frying pan with a fitted lid and a small amount of water, or by placing them in a microwave-safe bowl with a little water and cooking for around 4 to 6 minutes.

Broccoli in the microwave: cut into bite-sized pieces, add water and microwave for 3-4 minutes

If you want to cook broccoli and carrots without a steamer, you can boil them or use a microwave. Here's a guide to the latter option:

Broccoli in the Microwave:

First, prep your broccoli by cutting it into bite-sized pieces. Wash the broccoli well, and place the florets into a microwave-safe bowl. Add about three tablespoons of water to the bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, but leave one small section uncovered to allow steam to escape.

Place the bowl in the microwave and cook for 3-4 minutes. The broccoli should now be a vibrant green colour and can be easily pierced with a fork. Be careful when removing the bowl from the microwave, as it will be very hot. Drain off the excess water.

You can now season your broccoli. Add butter and stir until it melts. Sprinkle lemon juice and your chosen seasonings over the broccoli. Stir gently until the broccoli is evenly coated.

Serve the broccoli immediately while it's still hot.

Carrots in the Microwave:

To cook carrots in the microwave, first, wash and peel them. Cut the carrots into your desired shape and size. Place the carrots in a microwave-safe bowl and add a small amount of water—around 2-3 tablespoons. Cover the bowl loosely with a microwave-safe lid or plate, leaving a small gap for steam to escape.

Microwave the carrots for 3-4 minutes on high power. The exact cooking time will depend on the power of your microwave and the size of your carrot pieces. Check the carrots after 3 minutes to see if they are tender. If not, continue microwaving in 30-second intervals until they are cooked to your liking.

Once the carrots are tender, drain the water and season them to taste. You can add butter, salt, pepper, or any other desired seasonings. Stir to coat the carrots evenly.

Serve the carrots immediately while they are still hot.

Broccoli on the stove: use a pot with a lid and add 1-2 inches of water. Boil and cook for 3-5 minutes

Broccoli on the Stove:

Ingredients:

• Broccoli
• Water
• Butter (optional)
• Lemon juice (optional)
• Salt and pepper (optional)

Utensils:

• Stove
• Pot with a lid
• Colander

Method:

• Place 1-2 inches of water in the bottom of your pot and put it on the stove on high heat.
• While you're waiting for the water to boil, wash the broccoli in cold water and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Make sure to cut off the tough ends of the stems.
• Once the water is boiling, add the broccoli to the pot and cover with the lid.
• Reduce the heat to medium or medium-high and cook for 3-5 minutes. The broccoli is done when you can easily pierce it with a fork. Be careful not to overcook it—bright green broccoli is what you're aiming for!
• Drain the broccoli in a colander and run it under cold water to stop the cooking process.
• If you like, you can return the broccoli to the pan and add some butter, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir gently over low heat until the broccoli is evenly coated.
• Serve immediately while it's still hot.

Carrots in the microwave: rinse and cut into desired shape, add water and microwave for 4-6 minutes

Carrots in the microwave

Preparation

Rinse the carrots and cut them into your desired shape. Place the carrots in a microwave-safe bowl and add about three tablespoons of water for every cup of carrots. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, leaving a small opening for steam to escape.

Cooking

Place the bowl in the microwave and cook for 4-6 minutes, depending on the size and shape of your carrot pieces. The carrots are ready when they can be easily pierced with a fork but are still firm.

Seasoning and serving

Remove the bowl from the microwave and drain off the excess water. You can season the carrots with butter, olive oil, salt, pepper, or any other desired spices or herbs. Serve the carrots immediately while they are still hot.

Carrots on the stove: rinse and peel carrots, add water to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer until water evaporates

Cooking Carrots Without a Steamer

Carrots on the Stove:

First, rinse and peel your carrots. Next, add water to a saucepan and bring it to a boil. You'll want to add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan by about an inch or two. Once the water is boiling, carefully place your carrots into the pan. Cover the pan with a lid to trap the steam inside. If you don't have a lid, you can use a sheet of foil instead. Just be careful when removing it, as the steam can cause burns.

Let the carrots simmer in the pan for around 5-7 minutes, or until they are tender and can be easily pierced with a fork. The cooking time will depend on the size of your carrot pieces, so be sure to keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. Once they are tender, drain the carrots and return them to the pan. If you'd like, you can add some butter and stir until it melts, creating a delicious glaze on your carrots.

Tips for Cooking Carrots:

• Cut your carrots into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
• If you're using a pot without a tight-fitting lid, you may need to add a little extra water to prevent it from evaporating and your carrots from burning.
• For extra flavour, you can season your carrots with salt, pepper, herbs, or a squeeze of lemon juice.
• If you're short on time, you can also cook carrots in the microwave. Cut them into bite-sized pieces, place them in a microwave-safe bowl with a small amount of water, cover, and cook for a few minutes until tender.

Broccoli and carrots in a frying pan: add 1 inch of water to a frying pan with a fitted lid. Bring to a boil and cover

If you want to cook broccoli and carrots without a steamer, one option is to use a frying pan with a fitted lid. Here's how to do it:

First, add about an inch of water to your frying pan and place it on your stove. Turn the heat up and bring the water to a boil. While you're waiting for the water to boil, you can prepare the broccoli and carrots. Wash the vegetables and cut them into bite-sized pieces. You can also peel and slice the carrots if you prefer.

Once the water is boiling, carefully add the broccoli and carrots to the frying pan. You may want to use a spoon or tongs to do this to avoid getting too close to the steam. Cover the pan with the fitted lid and adjust the heat to medium or medium-high. Let the vegetables steam for around 5-7 minutes. The exact time will depend on how big your florets and slices are and how crunchy or soft you like your vegetables.

When the broccoli and carrots are tender, carefully remove the lid, being mindful of the hot steam. You can now season the vegetables as desired. A simple option is to add some butter and stir until it's melted, then sprinkle with lemon juice, garlic salt, and pepper. You could also just add some salt and pepper, or try something different like sweet Thai chili sauce or a drizzle of ranch dressing.

Serve the broccoli and carrots while they're still hot, and enjoy!

Frequently asked questions