Pressure Cooker Steamer Basket: Creative Alternatives

Pressure cookers are a great way to cook healthy, delicious food quickly. However, they don't usually come with a steamer basket, which is a handy accessory for preparing vegetables, fish, meat, and more. If you don't have a steamer basket, there are several ways to improvise one using common kitchen items. For example, you can use a metal colander, a wire cooling rack, a splatter screen, or even a foil pie tin with holes poked in the bottom. These methods allow you to steam food without needing to purchase a specialised steamer basket.

Use a metal colander or strainer

If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use a metal colander or strainer to improvise a pressure cooker steamer basket. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

First, choose a saucepan that is wide enough to hold the metal colander or strainer around its rim, and deep enough that the colander or strainer doesn't touch the bottom. Add about half an inch to one inch of water to the bottom of the pan. Make sure the water level is not too high, as you don't want the boiling water to touch the colander or strainer.

Next, place the metal colander or strainer inside the saucepan. If your colander or strainer doesn't rest on the rim of the saucepan, you can hold it in place with oven mitts or use a tool with a heat-proof handle. Just be careful to protect yourself from the steam.

Now, it's time to add your food. Place your vegetables or other food items in a single layer inside the colander or strainer. Make sure not to overcrowd it, as you want the steam to circulate evenly. Cover the saucepan as much as possible to prevent steam from escaping.

Turn on the heat and bring the water to a boil. Then, lower the heat so it's barely bubbling. Keep an eye on your food and check it often to prevent overcooking. Steaming times will vary depending on what you're cooking, so adjust accordingly.

Using a metal colander or strainer is a simple and effective way to improvise a pressure cooker steamer basket. Just make sure you have the right equipment and follow these steps for a successful steaming experience!

Use a plate and aluminium foil

If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use a plate and aluminium foil to create a DIY steamer basket. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, grab a medium-sized pot and fill it with about half an inch of water. Then, take three similarly-sized balls of aluminium foil and place them in the bottom of the pot. You can also use a flat piece of foil with a few holes punched in it, or a foil pie tin with holes poked in the bottom.

Next, find a heat-proof plate that's slightly smaller than the circumference of the pot and rest it on top of the foil balls. Make sure there's enough space between the plate and the water for steam to circulate. Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil.

Once the water is boiling, carefully add your chosen food to the plate in a single layer. Cover the pot again and steam until your food is cooked to your desired level of doneness. This technique works especially well for vegetables like broccoli, which will turn out crisp, and potatoes, which will be creamy.

When your food is ready, remove the plate from the pot and carefully transfer the food to a serving dish. And that's it! You've successfully improvised a steamer basket using a plate and aluminium foil.

Steam in the microwave

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to steam your veggies, the microwave is a great option. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to steam in the microwave:

Step 1: Choose Your Vegetables

Not all vegetables are created equal when it comes to steaming. Some options that work well include broccoli, spinach, leafy greens (kale, Swiss chard), cauliflower, asparagus, corn, peppers, carrots, green beans, small potatoes, Brussels sprouts, peas, zucchini, and artichokes.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables

Give your chosen veggies a good rinse under running water to remove any dirt or debris. Use a colander to make this easier. Then, trim off any hard ends or damaged parts, and cut larger vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Here are some specific guidelines for common vegetables:

• Broccoli and cauliflower: Cut into 1-inch florets or pieces.
• Baby carrots and green beans: Trim the ends but keep them whole.
• Leafy greens: Remove tough stems and keep the leaves whole.
• Brussels sprouts: Cut in half or leave whole, removing the outer leaves.
• Artichokes: Peel the fibrous skin from the stalks and leave them whole.
• Regular carrots: Slice into 1/4 to 1/2-inch discs.
• Zucchini: Slice into 1/4 to 1/2-inch discs.
• Small potatoes: Cut into quarters or leave whole, and pierce a few times with a fork.

Step 3: Arrange in a Microwave-Safe Container

Spread your prepared veggies out evenly in a microwave-safe bowl or dish. Glass, ceramic, and plastic containers are all good options. Avoid using flimsy plastic containers, take-out containers, plastic bags, or aluminum foil. Make sure the veggies aren't piled on top of each other, as you'll likely be steaming them in batches to ensure even cooking.

Step 4: Add Water and Cover

Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water to the container. The water will create the steam needed to cook your veggies. Cover the container loosely with a plate, microwave-safe plastic wrap, wax paper, parchment paper, or a heatproof lid. This will help trap the heat and create steam, but make sure to leave a small gap for steam to escape. If using plastic wrap, fold up one corner, and ensure it doesn't touch the food.

Step 5: Microwave

Now it's time to cook your veggies! The time will depend on the type of vegetable and the power of your microwave. Here are some general guidelines for common vegetables:

• Sliced or baby carrots: 6-8 minutes
• Cauliflower florets and asparagus: 5-6 minutes
• Broccoli florets, spinach, and leafy greens: 5 minutes
• Brussels sprouts: 8-10 minutes
• Green beans: 4-5 minutes
• Small potatoes: 15-20 minutes
• Whole artichoke: 25-35 minutes

Place the covered container in the microwave and set the timer accordingly. For most vegetables, you'll want to use the HIGH setting.

Step 6: Check for Doneness

Once the timer goes off, carefully remove the container from the microwave, keeping the lid or covering in place. Set it on a heat-safe surface and wait a few minutes for the steaming to finish. Then, remove the cover, being careful of the hot steam, and use a fork to check if the veggies are tender. If they're still too crisp, pop them back in the microwave for another 30 seconds to a minute, and check again.

There you have it! A simple and quick way to steam your veggies in the microwave. Now you can enjoy perfectly cooked, healthy vegetables any time.

Steam in water

Steaming in water is a simple method for steaming vegetables without a steamer basket. It involves adding water to a pot, bringing it to a boil, and then adding the vegetables to cook. While this technique is easy and effective for firm vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots, it can result in watery potatoes.

• Fill a pot with water: Add about half an inch to one inch of water to a pot or saucepan.
• Bring the water to a boil: Place the pot on the stove and heat it until the water reaches a rolling boil.
• Add the vegetables: Put the desired amount of vegetables into the pot. Ensure they are fully submerged in the water.
• Cover the pot: Use a lid or suitable covering to prevent steam from escaping.
• Cook the vegetables: Let the vegetables cook in the boiling water. The cooking time will vary depending on the type of vegetable and the desired level of doneness.
• Drain and serve: Once the vegetables are cooked to your liking, drain the water and serve the vegetables.

It is important to note that different vegetables have different cooking times. For example, broccoli cooks faster than cauliflower. Therefore, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Additionally, steaming in water may not produce the best results for potatoes, as they tend to absorb too much water.

While steaming in water is a straightforward method, it might not yield the same crisp and tender results as using a steamer basket. However, it is a useful technique to know when you need to quickly cook vegetables without any specialized equipment.

Use a splatter screen

If you're looking to improvise a pressure cooker steamer basket, a splatter screen can come in handy. Here's how you can use it to steam your veggies:

Firstly, grab a wide saucepan and fill it with water. The amount of water you add will depend on the vegetable you're cooking and your desired texture. For crisp-tender veggies, around half an inch of water should suffice. Bring this to a boil.

Now, take your splatter screen and place it over the saucepan. Ensure it covers the pan well, as you want the steam to be trapped inside. Then, add your vegetables to the splatter screen. Cover the splatter screen with a large bowl to help contain the steam.

Using this setup, your veggies will steam nicely. This method is particularly useful for sticky rice. If you don't have a splatter screen, you can use tin foil as a substitute. Just ensure it fits tightly around the pan to support the weight of the food.

So, the next time you're in a pinch and need to steam some veggies, don't fret! Grab your splatter screen and give this method a try. It's an easy and effective way to cook without needing a steamer basket.

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