Steaming Cauliflower Without A Basket: Easy, Quick Techniques

Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable that can be cooked in many ways. One common method is steaming, which can be done on a stove or in a microwave. Steaming is a preferred method of cooking cauliflower as it preserves the most flavour, texture, aesthetics and nutrition. This article will discuss how to steam cauliflower without a steamer basket.

How to steam cauliflower in the microwave

Steaming cauliflower in the microwave is a quick and convenient way to cook this nutritious vegetable. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Cauliflower

Start by choosing a fresh cauliflower head. Look for one that is pure white with bright green leaves. Cut off the leaves and trim the central stem to make it easier to remove the florets. Cut the cauliflower into individual florets, ensuring they are all roughly the same size to promote even cooking.

Step 2: Arrange the Florets in a Microwave-Safe Dish

Place the cauliflower florets in a microwave-safe dish, spreading them out as evenly as possible in a single layer. This helps ensure even cooking.

Step 3: Add a Small Amount of Water

Add a small amount of water to the dish, just enough to cover the bottom. This water will create steam to cook the cauliflower. You don't want too much water, as you don't want to boil the florets.

Step 4: Cover the Dish

Cover the dish to trap the steam inside, which is essential for cooking the cauliflower. Use a microwave-safe lid, microwavable plastic wrap, or a ceramic/stoneware plate to cover the dish. Avoid using plastic wrap if possible, as it is not recommended for use in microwaves.

Step 5: Microwave for 3 to 4 Minutes

Place the covered dish in the microwave and cook on high power for 3 to 4 minutes. Check the cauliflower after 2-2.5 minutes to ensure it doesn't overcook. The florets are done when they are tender and can be easily pierced with a fork but are not mushy.

Step 6: Serve Warm

Once the cauliflower is cooked to your desired doneness, remove it from the microwave and serve immediately. Season with salt, pepper, and melted butter, or get creative with other seasonings and sauces. Enjoy your perfectly steamed cauliflower!

How to steam cauliflower on the stove without a steamer basket

Steaming cauliflower is a wonderfully easy and nutritious way to cook this versatile vegetable. Here is a step-by-step guide to steaming cauliflower on the stove without a steamer basket.

Step 1: Prepare the cauliflower

Start with a fresh head of cauliflower. Remove any leaves and cut the florets away from the stem. You can use your hands to break the florets into bite-sized pieces, or a sharp knife to cut them into similar-sized pieces. This helps the cauliflower cook more evenly.

Step 2: Prepare your cooking equipment

You will need a large pot or saucepan with a lid, and a metal colander or strainer that fits inside the pot. The colander should not touch the bottom of the pot, and there should be a few inches of space between the bottom of the pot and the colander.

Step 3: Add water to the pot

Pour a small amount of water into the pot, around 1/4 to 1/2 an inch deep. You just need enough water to create steam, so be careful not to add too much.

Step 4: Place the cauliflower in the colander

Place the raw cauliflower florets into the colander, and put the colander inside the pot. The water in the pot should not touch the cauliflower.

Step 5: Cover and steam

Cover the pot with a lid, and place over medium-high heat on the stove. The steam will cook the cauliflower, so it is important that the lid fits well and does not let the steam escape. Check the pot regularly to ensure the water has not all evaporated, and add more if needed.

Step 6: Check for doneness

Depending on how tender you like your cauliflower, steaming can take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. Check the cauliflower after 5 minutes, and then every few minutes after that. It is ready when a fork can easily pierce the florets.

Step 7: Season and serve

Once the cauliflower is cooked to your liking, remove it from the heat and season as desired. You could try salt and pepper, butter, olive oil, soy sauce, or a squeeze of lemon juice. Enjoy!

How to steam cauliflower in an Instant Pot

Steaming cauliflower is a great way to cook this nutritious vegetable, as it preserves its flavour, texture, and nutrients. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam cauliflower in an Instant Pot.

Step 1: Prepare the Cauliflower

Start with a fresh head of cauliflower. Remove any leaves and cut the florets away from the stem. Cut larger florets in half so that all the pieces are roughly the same size, which will help them cook evenly.

Step 2: Add Water to the Instant Pot

Add about 3/4 cup of water to your Instant Pot. Then, place a steamer insert into the pot. Make sure the steamer basket does not dip into the water.

Step 3: Add the Cauliflower

Carefully place the cauliflower florets into the steamer insert. Spread them out in an even layer, with the stems facing down and the florets facing up.

Step 4: Cook the Cauliflower

Seal the Instant Pot and set the timer. For soft, tender cauliflower, cook on high pressure for around 6-8 minutes. If you prefer your cauliflower to have a bit more bite, cook for a shorter time, around 3-5 minutes.

Step 5: Release the Pressure

As soon as the timer goes off, release the pressure and remove the lid. Be very careful when removing the lid, as the steam will be hot and can cause burns.

Step 6: Serve

Remove the cooked cauliflower from the steamer and serve immediately. Season with salt, pepper, and butter, or a squeeze of lemon juice, to taste. You can also add toppings like Parmesan cheese or spices like paprika.

Tips:

• If you don't have a steamer insert, you can add about 1/4 cup of water directly to the bottom of the Instant Pot and place the cauliflower florets in a steamer basket or metal colander above the water.
• For a softer texture, increase the steaming time.
• Steaming times may vary depending on the size of your cauliflower florets and your desired level of doneness.
• Always be cautious when handling hot steam and use oven mitts or kitchen towels to protect your hands.

How to prepare cauliflower for steaming

Preparing cauliflower for steaming is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, choose a fresh cauliflower. A fresh cauliflower will be pure white and will have crisp, bright green leaves. Pay close attention to the base of the cauliflower, as this is the best indication of its freshness. The floret tops along the outside of the head should be fairly compact. If there are wide gaps between the tops, the cauliflower may not be fresh.

Next, cut off the leaves with a sharp knife. Cut the leaves as close to the base of the stem as possible. You can cook the leaves, too—they are great for vegetable stock, stews, or salads.

Now, trim the central stem to make removing florets easier. Cut off the large stem just before it divides into individual florets. You can also save the stem for vegetable stock.

Turn the head upside down so that the cut stem end faces up. Use a sharp kitchen knife to cut off each individual branch or floret. Slice the floret off at the point where the floret stem meets the central stem, cutting at a 45-degree angle.

Take your time to trim away any discoloured parts of the cauliflower, as these will not taste as good and lack the nutrients found in fresh cauliflower.

If you are using a baby cauliflower, you can cook it whole. However, if you are using a large cauliflower, you may want to trim the florets into smaller, evenly sized pieces to ensure even cooking.

Finally, wash the cauliflower florets in a colander under cool, running water. Gently scrub away any remaining dirt with your fingers, then pat dry with clean paper towels.

Your cauliflower is now ready to be steamed!

How long to steam cauliflower

The length of time you steam cauliflower for depends on the texture you want. For tender-crisp cauliflower, steam for 5-6 minutes. For softer cauliflower, steam for 7-9 minutes.

If you're making cauliflower rice, or want your cauliflower with a little bit of texture, check on it often after 10 or 15 minutes, until it is cooked to your liking. For fork-tender cauliflower, steam for 20-30 minutes.

To test for doneness, pierce the cauliflower with a fork. When it’s done, it should pierce easily.

Frequently asked questions