Steam-Free Carrot Cooking: Simple Stove-Top Methods

Steaming carrots is a great way to retain their beneficial nutrients, flavours, textures, and colours. While a steamer basket is the most obvious choice for steaming vegetables, there are several ways to cook carrots without one. Here are some alternative methods to try:

- Using a microwave: Place the carrots in a microwave-safe bowl with a small amount of water, cover with a plate or lid (not plastic wrap), and microwave on high for 4 to 6 minutes.

- Boiling in a pot: Add about 1 inch of water to a saucepan, bring it to a boil, and then add the carrots. Cover the pan and simmer until the carrots are tender.

- DIY steamer: Fill a pot with about 1/2 inch of water and place three balls of aluminium foil at the bottom. Rest a heat-proof plate on top of the foil balls, add the carrots, cover the pot, and steam until tender.

- Oven steaming: Place a roasting pan with a rack in the oven, heat to a low temperature, and add half an inch of boiling water to the pan. Put the carrots on the rack, cover with aluminium foil, and steam in the oven.

How to steam carrots in the microwave

Steaming carrots is a great way to cook them, as it preserves their beneficial nutrients, flavours, textures, and colours. It's also quick, easy, and convenient. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam carrots in the microwave without a steamer.

Step 1: Prepare the Carrots

Rinse the carrots with cool water to remove any dirt. You can peel the carrots if you prefer, but it is not necessary. Cut off the ends of the carrots and cut them into fairly equal-sized chunks. The size of the chunks will determine how long they need to be steamed for, so try to keep them consistent.

Step 2: Set Up the Microwave

Place the carrots in a microwave-safe bowl and add about 2 tablespoons of water. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or plate; do not use plastic wrap.

Step 3: Microwave the Carrots

Microwave the carrots on high power for 4 to 6 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the carrot chunks and the strength of your microwave, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. The carrots are ready when they are tender but still firm. You can test their doneness with a fork; if the prongs slide through the carrot easily, they are done.

Step 4: Season and Serve

Once the carrots are cooked, remove them from the microwave and drain any excess water. You can season them with salt and pepper, or a drizzle of melted butter or olive oil. Fresh herbs such as thyme, parsley, chives, basil, or dill can also be added for extra flavour. Serve the carrots immediately while they are still hot.

Tips:

• Be careful when removing the bowl from the microwave, as it will be hot. Use oven mitts or a kitchen towel to protect your hands.
• If you want to steam baby carrots, adjust the cooking time accordingly, as they will take less time to cook than larger carrots.

How to steam carrots on the stovetop without a steamer

Steaming carrots is a great way to cook them, as it preserves their beneficial nutrients, flavours, textures, and colours. Here are some methods for steaming carrots on the stovetop without a steamer.

Method 1: Using a plate and tinfoil

This method involves using a plate and tinfoil as a DIY steamer basket. Here's what you need to do:

• Fill a medium pot with about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) of water.
• Make three golf ball-sized balls of aluminum foil and place them at the bottom of the pot.
• Rest a heat-proof plate on top of the foil balls.
• Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil.
• Add the carrots to the plate, cover, and steam until they are crisp-tender.
• Carefully remove the carrots from the plate and set them aside.

Method 2: Using a metal colander or strainer

If you have a metal colander or strainer, you can use it to steam your carrots. Here's how:

• Fill a pot with approximately 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) of water.
• Place the metal colander or strainer inside the pot, leaving enough room so that the boiling water won't touch it.
• If your strainer doesn't rest on the rim of the pot, hold it in place with a heat-proof handle or protect your hand with an oven mitt.
• Place the carrots in a single layer in the strainer.
• Bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat so it's barely bubbling.
• Cover the pot as much as possible to prevent steam from escaping.
• Check the carrots often to prevent over-cooking. They are done when you can gently pierce them with a fork.

Method 3: Using a frying pan

This method involves cooking the carrots directly in a small amount of boiling water in a covered frying pan. Here's what you need to do:

• Rinse and prepare the carrots as desired.
• Add about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water to a large frying pan with a fitted lid.
• Add a dash of salt to the water and bring it to a boil.
• Carefully place the carrots into the water, cover the pan, and let them simmer.
• The carrots are done when the water has evaporated and you can easily pierce them with a fork.
• Carefully pour out any excess water or drain the carrots in a colander.

Tips for steaming carrots:

• Cut the carrots into equal-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
• Don't overcook the carrots, as they can become mushy.
• Season the steamed carrots with butter, salt, pepper, or your favourite herbs and spices.

How to steam carrots in the oven

Firstly, you will need to gather a roasting pan with a rack, or a big pot and a baking rack. You will also need a teapot of boiling water.

Next, preheat your oven to a low temperature of around 200°F.

Then, pour about half an inch of boiling water into your large pot. Place the carrots in a single layer on the baking rack and put the rack over the pot.

Cover the whole thing with aluminium foil to prevent steam from escaping.

Finally, place the pot in the oven until the carrots are steamed to your liking.

You can also steam carrots on a stovetop without a steamer. Here is a guide:

Fill a pot with about half an inch of water. Place three golf ball-sized balls of aluminium foil at the bottom of the pot. Rest a heat-proof plate on top of the foil balls. Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil. Add the carrots to the plate, cover, and steam until tender.

How to steam carrots using a plate and tinfoil

Steaming carrots is a great way to cook them, as it preserves their beneficial nutrients, flavours, textures, and colours. Here is a simple method to steam carrots using a plate and tinfoil.

What you will need:

• A medium pot
• 3 balls of tinfoil (roughly golf ball-sized)
• A heat-proof plate
• A lid for the pot
• Carrots
• Water
• Salt (optional)
• Butter, olive oil, or herbs (optional)

Step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Fill the pot with about 1/2 inch (or 1-1.5 inches) of water.

Step 2: Place the three balls of tinfoil at the bottom of the pot.

Step 3: Rest the heat-proof plate on top of the foil balls.

Step 4: (Optional) Add a dash of salt to the water and bring it to a boil.

Step 5: While waiting for the water to boil, prepare the carrots by peeling them and cutting them into equal-sized chunks or slices. You can cut them on the bias (diagonally) to make them look more elegant.

Step 6: Once the water is boiling, carefully place the carrots on the plate.

Step 7: Cover the pot with the lid and leave the carrots to steam. Check the carrots with a fork after 4-5 minutes to see if they are tender. Do not overcook them, as they can become mushy.

Step 8: When the carrots are cooked to your liking, carefully remove them from the plate and set them aside.

Step 9: (Optional) Drizzle the carrots with melted butter, olive oil, or sprinkle with fresh herbs to add flavour.

Tips:

• Make sure the plate is heat-proof to avoid any accidents.
• Keep an eye on the water level to ensure it doesn't completely evaporate.
• You can experiment with different spices and seasonings to find your preferred flavour combinations.
• Steaming carrots should take around 10-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the carrot chunks.

Enjoy your perfectly steamed carrots!

How to steam carrots using a sieve

Firstly, rinse your carrots with cool water to remove any dirt. Peel the carrots, cut off the ends, and cut them into fairly equal-sized chunks. The size of the chunks will determine how long they need to be steamed for, with thicker chunks requiring more time.

Next, add about an inch of water to a saucepan and place it on the stove. Bring the water to a boil. While you wait for the water to boil, prepare a fine-mesh sieve that will fit inside the saucepan.

Once the water is boiling, carefully place the carrots into the sieve. Cover the saucepan, leaving a small gap for the steam to vent. Steam the carrots for 4 to 10 minutes, depending on their thickness, until they are tender. Check the carrots with a fork to ensure they are cooked to your liking.

Finally, remove the carrots from the sieve and serve. Season the carrots with salt and pepper, or a drizzle of melted butter, to taste.

Note: This method of steaming carrots using a sieve may not work as effectively as other methods, as it can be difficult to capture the steam and the vegetables may end up tasting water-logged.

Frequently asked questions