Steaming Beets In A Rice Cooker: A Quick, Easy Guide

Beets are a versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, ranging from soups to salads, and even cocktails! They are packed with nutrients and offer numerous health benefits, including being low in calories, regulating blood pressure, and aiding in digestion. When it comes to cooking beets, there are several methods you can use, such as boiling, roasting, or steaming. In this article, we will focus on how to steam beets using a rice cooker.

Preparing the beets for cooking

First, you'll want to remove the beet greens, which are the leaves and stems attached to the beetroot. Using a sharp knife, cut off the greens, leaving about 1/4 to 1 inch of the stems still attached to the root. This helps prevent the beets from bleeding and losing flavour during the cooking process. You can save the beet greens for later use in soups or as a side dish.

Next, use a soft vegetable brush to gently scrub the beets. Be careful not to break the skin, as this can also lead to bleeding. Give them a good wash under running water to remove any remaining dirt.

If you're cooking with baby beets or small beets, you can leave them whole. However, if you're working with larger beets, it's best to cut them into uniform sizes before cooking. This ensures even cooking and prevents overcooking. Cut the beets into slices, wedges, or cubes, aiming for pieces that are around 1/2 to 1 inch thick.

Now your beets are ready to be steamed in your rice cooker! Remember to always use tongs or heat-resistant gloves when handling hot beets, and be cautious of any escaping steam when removing the lid. Enjoy your perfectly cooked beets as a simple side dish or incorporate them into your favourite recipes.

How to steam the beets

How to Steam Beets in a Rice Cooker

Preparation

Before you start steaming your beets, you'll need to prepare them. If your beets still have their leafy greens attached, remove them, leaving about 1/2 inch of the stalk. You can use the beet greens in other recipes, such as soups or salads, so don't throw them away!

Next, give your beets a good wash to remove any dirt. You can use a vegetable brush to scrub them gently. Try not to break the skin as this can cause the beets to bleed and lose some of their vibrant colour and flavour.

Steaming

Now it's time to get steaming! Place your beets in the steamer basket of your rice cooker, making sure they are in a single layer so that the steam can circulate evenly. Add water to the rice cooker, ensuring the water level remains just below the steamer basket. The amount of water you need will depend on the size and type of rice cooker you have. As a general rule, the water should be about 2 inches deep.

Put the lid on your rice cooker and turn it on. The water should come to a rolling boil. Then, reduce the heat to a simmer and let the beets steam. The cooking time will depend on the size of your beets. Small or baby beets will take around 20-30 minutes, while larger beets may need up to 40-50 minutes. You'll know they're done when you can easily pierce them with a sharp knife.

After Steaming

Once your beets are tender, remove them from the rice cooker and plunge them into cold water to stop the cooking process. When they are cool enough to handle, use your hands or a paper towel to slip off the skins. The skins should come off easily.

Now, your beets are ready to be used in your favourite recipes! You can cut them into bite-sized pieces and season with a splash of vinegar, a drizzle of olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Enjoy!

How long to steam the beets for

The amount of time you steam beets for will depend on their size. Small or baby beets will take less time to cook than larger beets. For example, baby beets will take around 20 minutes to steam, while larger beets can take up to 40 minutes.

When steaming beets, it's important to use beets of a similar size so that they cook evenly. If you are steaming whole beets, use small beets of uniform size. If you are steaming sliced beets, the cooking time will depend on how thickly you slice them.

In general, you should steam beets until they are tender. This means that you can easily pierce them to their centre with a sharp knife. Beets are done when they are tender but not too soft or mushy.

• Baby beets: 20 minutes
• Small and medium beets: 30 minutes
• Large beets: 40 minutes
• Sliced beets: 7-10 minutes for crisp beets, longer for tender beets
• Two pounds of fresh beets: 35-50 minutes

What to do after steaming the beets

Once you've steamed your beets, there are a few steps to follow to ensure they're ready to be served or stored. Firstly, plunge the beets into cold water to stop them from continuing to cook and make them easier to handle. Then, when they're cool enough to touch, peel the skins off. You can do this with your hands, a paper towel, or a knife. Give the beets a quick rinse, and they'll be ready to be served or stored.

If you want to serve the beets as a simple side dish, you can finish them with a drizzle of olive oil, a splash of vinegar, and a pinch of salt. You could also toss them with some fresh herbs, such as parsley, mint, or dill. Beets can be served alongside grains, roasted meats, or used in salads.

If you have any leftover beets, you can store them in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the refrigerator. They should last for about 3-5 days. Uncooked beets will keep in the fridge for about 14 days.

There are also a few things to keep in mind when preparing and cooking beets. Firstly, the size of the beets matters. Baby beets or small beets will take less time to cook, while larger beets will need more time. It's best to use beets of a similar size so they cook evenly. Secondly, when preparing the beets, cut the greens about 1/2 inch above where they attach to the root. This will prevent the beets from bleeding and losing flavour. You can cook the greens separately or add them to the steamer for the last few minutes of cooking. Finally, beets will stain anything they touch, so it's a good idea to lay down some parchment paper before peeling and cutting them, or wear kitchen gloves to avoid staining your hands.

Recipe ideas for steamed beets

Beets are a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of recipes. Here are some ideas for steamed beets:

Side Dish

Steamed beets can be served as a simple side dish with a drizzle of olive oil, a splash of vinegar, and a pinch of kosher salt. You can also add some fresh herbs like parsley, mint, or dill to enhance the flavour.

Salads

Beets are a great addition to salads. Try making a beet and quinoa salad, or a beet salad with arugula and walnuts. You can also use steamed beets as a base for salad dressings.

Soups

Steamed beets can be blended into soups, such as a cold beet and fennel soup.

Dips and Dressings

Beets can be made into delicious dips and dressings. For example, you can make a sweet and tart beet dressing or a garlicky beet spread with yogurt, dill, and horseradish.

With Tahini Sauce

Try serving your steamed beets with a pungent tahini sauce. To make the sauce, puree garlic cloves with salt, then whisk in sesame tahini and lemon juice. Add water gradually until the sauce reaches the desired consistency.

Other Ideas

• Beet chips: Slice beets thinly, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt, and bake until crispy.
• Pickled beets: Beets can be pickled and stored for later use.
• Beet greens: Don't discard the beet greens! They are similar to kale or collard greens and can be sauteed as a healthy side dish.

Frequently asked questions