Steam Cooking With Lg Microwaves: A Step-By-Step Guide

Steam cooking is a healthy and convenient way to prepare meals. It's a cooking method that uses hot steam to cook food, retaining its natural flavour and nutrients. If you're an owner of an LG microwave, you can easily steam cook by following a few simple steps. In this article, we'll guide you through the process, from preparing your ingredients to using the steam cook function on your LG microwave. So, whether you're a health-conscious foodie or simply looking for a quick and easy way to cook, read on to discover the benefits of steam cooking with your LG microwave!

How to Steam Cook in an LG Microwave

Prep your ingredients

To prep your ingredients for steam cooking in your LG microwave, start by gathering fresh ingredients of your choice. Wash and thoroughly clean the ingredients, especially if they are vegetables or fruits. Once they are cleaned, chop them into bite-sized pieces. This step ensures even cooking and faster steaming. You can cut them into larger pieces if you prefer a softer, well-cooked texture, or keep them in slightly bigger chunks for a crisp and vibrant result.

After washing and chopping, it's important to arrange the ingredients properly in the steamer basket or dish. Spread them out evenly, leaving some space for the steam to circulate. Overlapping or overcrowding the ingredients can lead to uneven cooking.

If you're steaming multiple types of ingredients with different cooking times, consider placing similar items together in the steamer basket. For example, group ingredients that cook faster, such as spinach or mushrooms, in one section, and place denser items like potatoes or carrots in another section. This way, you can easily remove or adjust the cooking time for specific ingredients without overcooking others.

Additionally, when preparing your ingredients, consider the quantity you are steaming. Avoid overfilling the steamer basket or dish, as this can hinder the steam from reaching all the ingredients effectively. It's better to steam smaller batches at a time to ensure even cooking.

By following these preparation steps, you'll be well on your way to successfully steam cooking in your LG microwave. Now, let's move on to the next step of adding water to the steaming process.

Add water

Adding water is an essential step in steam cooking with your LG microwave. Here is a detailed guide to help you with this process:

Amount of Water:

Start by pouring water into your microwave-safe steamer basket or dish. The amount of water required can vary depending on the recipe and the type of food you are preparing. For most steaming tasks, a good starting point is to add about 1/2 to 1 cup of water. However, always refer to your LG microwave's user manual for specific guidelines. Each model may have slightly different recommendations, so it's essential to consult the provided instructions.

Using the Heating Pan:

If your LG microwave is equipped with a heating pan, follow these steps:

• Add approximately 200ml of water to the heating pan. This amount is specifically recommended for the heating pan method.
• Place the steaming net on top of the heating pan. This net ensures that your ingredients don't come into direct contact with the water.
• Properly place the lid over the heating pan. The lid helps to trap the steam and ensure even cooking.

Steamer Basket or Dish:

If you're using a steamer basket or dish, follow these steps:

• Pour the recommended amount of water (1/2 to 1 cup) into the microwave-safe steamer basket or dish.
• Place the ingredients in the steamer basket, ensuring they are evenly spread out and not overcrowded. This arrangement allows the steam to circulate effectively.
• Cover the steamer basket or dish with its lid, or use a microwave-safe plate to cover it if it doesn't come with a lid. The cover helps contain the steam for thorough cooking.

Remember, it's important to always handle the steamer basket or dish with caution, as they can become very hot during the cooking process. Additionally, be sure to refer to your LG microwave's user manual for any model-specific instructions or variations in the steaming process.

Place ingredients in steamer

Once you've washed and chopped your ingredients into bite-sized pieces, it's time to place them in the steamer basket or dish. This is an important step in the steam-cooking process, as it ensures even cooking and faster steaming.

When arranging your ingredients, be sure to spread them out evenly. This allows the steam to circulate and cook everything uniformly. Avoid overcrowding the steamer, as this can lead to uneven cooking. Leave some room for the steam to work its magic!

For vibrant and crisp vegetables, opt for a shorter steaming duration. This will help retain their colour, texture, and nutrients. If you prefer your veggies softer and more well-done, go for a longer steam. It's all about adjusting the cooking time to your personal preference.

Always use oven gloves when handling the steamer, as it will be very hot. Be careful not to place the hot steamer on a glass table or any other surface that might melt. Use a pad or tray instead to avoid any accidents.

Cover and steam

Once you've prepped your ingredients, added water to your steamer basket or dish, and placed your ingredients inside, it's time to cover and steam. This step is crucial to trap the steam and ensure thorough cooking.

If your steamer basket or dish has a lid, secure it in place. If not, you can use a microwave-safe plate or dish to cover it. This will help contain the steam and ensure even cooking. It is important to note that the steam cover should be set perfectly right to avoid any mishaps, such as exploding eggs or chestnuts, as mentioned in the LG MS2839AC Owner's Manual.

When covering your steamer basket or dish, leave some space for the steam to circulate. Overfilling or overcrowding the container can lead to uneven cooking. The steam needs room to move freely and cook your ingredients uniformly.

After you've securely covered your steamer basket or dish, it's time to set the steam cook function on your LG microwave. Refer to your user manual for specific instructions, as the button label and settings may vary depending on your microwave model.

Now, you're ready to start cooking! Press the start button, and your LG microwave will generate steam to cook your food according to your designated time and power level. You can monitor the cooking process through the microwave's door or window, adjusting the cooking time as needed.

Set the steam cook function

Now that you've gathered all your ingredients and placed them in the steamer basket, it's time to set the steam cook function on your LG microwave. This step is crucial to ensure your food is cooked thoroughly and efficiently.

First, locate the steam cook function on your LG microwave. Depending on the model, this button may be labelled differently. For example, on the LG MS2839AC model, the button is labelled 'STEAM ChEF'. Refer to your user manual if you're unsure about the specific button on your model.

Once you've located the steam cook function button, it's time to select the appropriate cooking mode. On the LG MS2839AC, pressing the 'STEAM ChEF' button twice will activate the 'Fresh vegetable (large cut)' mode. This model also has pre-programmed cooking times, so you won't need to set the cooking time or power level manually. However, you can adjust the number of servings by pressing the select buttons.

If your model doesn't have pre-programmed settings, you'll need to refer to your user manual to understand how to set the cooking time and power level. Typically, you'll use the microwave's control panel to enter the desired cooking time.

After selecting the steam cook function and adjusting the settings according to your preferences and the type of food you're preparing, you're almost ready to start cooking. Just ensure that the steam cover and steam water bowl are set perfectly right, as mentioned earlier, to avoid any mishaps with ingredients like eggs or chestnuts.

Now, you're all set to move on to the next step of starting the microwave and letting it work its magic!

Frequently asked questions