Steaming Veggies: Using Your Insignia Pressure Cooker

Steaming veggies in a pressure cooker is a great way to lock in nutrients and flavour. This method uses high pressure and steam to ensure vegetables cook evenly and quickly, preserving their colour, texture and essential vitamins. It's also a very quick and efficient process, with most vegetables taking only a few minutes to cook.

To steam veggies in your Insignia pressure cooker, first add water to the bottom of the pot. Then, place a steamer basket or trivet inside, and put your veggies of choice on top. Close the lid and set the valve to the pressure cooking position. Electric pressure cookers and stove-top pressure cookers should be cooked for 3 to 5 minutes at high or low pressure. When the time is up, open the pressure cooker and remove the steamer basket to prevent the veggies from overcooking.

How to prepare your veggies for steaming

Preparing your veggies for steaming is simple and can be done in a few easy steps. Firstly, choose your vegetables. Almost any vegetable can be steamed, but some popular options include broccoli, carrots, green beans, asparagus, and potatoes.

Next, wash your chosen vegetables thoroughly to remove any dirt or pesticides. Then, cut them into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. Smaller pieces will steam faster than larger ones, so keep this in mind when deciding on the size.

Now your vegetables are ready to be placed into the pressure cooker. Place them into the steamer basket or onto the trivet inside the pressure cooker, ensuring they are above the water level. Avoid overloading the basket or trivet to allow for free steam circulation.

That's it! Your veggies are now prepared and ready for steaming. Simply follow the instructions for your Insignia pressure cooker, and you'll have perfectly steamed vegetables in no time.

The best type of basket or rack to use

When it comes to steaming vegetables in a pressure cooker, a steaming basket or rack is essential. This accessory keeps the veggies above the water level, allowing them to steam instead of boil. Most pressure cookers come with a rack, but if yours didn't, they are easy to find online or at kitchen stores.

There are a few different types of baskets or racks you can use:

• Wire Trivets: Some pressure cookers come with a wire trivet, but these are usually too shallow for steaming and have wide openings that are not suitable for small vegetables like broccoli.
• Perforated Racks: These racks are also often included with pressure cookers, but they are typically too shallow and will result in your vegetables being covered with liquid instead of steamed.
• Collapsible Steamer Baskets: These baskets are a great option as they have tall feet and come in different sizes. They are also known as "flower steamer baskets" due to their shape. If your pressure cooker has a non-stick insert, opt for a silicone steamer basket to prevent scratching.
• Trivet that comes with the Instant Pot: This can be used as a steamer basket and is very convenient.
• Additional steamer basket: This can make holding the veggies in place easier and is recommended if you want to cook multiple things together. Stainless steel or silicone steamer racks are available.

How much water to add to your pressure cooker

The amount of water you need to add to your pressure cooker depends on the type of food you are cooking and the cooking time. Here are some general guidelines for how much water to use when steaming vegetables in your pressure cooker:

• If the cooking time for your vegetables is less than 5 minutes, use about 1/2 cup (125 ml) of water.
• If the cooking time is between 5 and 10 minutes, use about 1 cup (250 ml) of water.
• If the cooking time is between 10 and 20 minutes, use about 2 cups (500 ml) of water.

These amounts are for vegetables only. If you are cooking other types of food, such as meat or grains, you will need to adjust the amount of water accordingly. For example:

• When cooking meat, use at least 1 cup (0.24 l) of liquid for cooking times under 15 minutes, and at least 2 cups (0.47 l) for cooking times over 15 minutes.
• When cooking rice or grains, the amount of water will depend on the type of grain and the desired ratio of water to grain. For example, for rice, a common ratio is 2 cups of water for every cup of rice.

It's important to note that different types of pressure cookers may require different amounts of water, so always refer to your pressure cooker's instruction manual for specific guidelines. Additionally, some vegetables, such as bok choy, mushrooms, summer squash, and zucchini, naturally contain a lot of water and will not need as much additional water for cooking.

When steaming vegetables in a pressure cooker, it's also recommended to use a steamer basket and trivet to keep the vegetables above the cooking liquid. This will help ensure even cooking and prevent overcooking.

How long to steam different types of veggies

Steaming vegetables in a pressure cooker is a great way to cook them quickly while retaining their nutritional value, colour, and flavour. The timing will depend on the type of vegetable and the desired texture, but generally, softer vegetables like spinach or kale will take 2-3 minutes, while harder ones like carrots or potatoes will take up to 5 minutes. Here's a more detailed guide for different types of veggies:

Leafy Greens

Leafy greens such as spinach or kale are very quick to cook and only need about 2-3 minutes of steaming. They are delicate, so it's best to use the quick-release method to prevent overcooking.

Broccoli and Cauliflower

Broccoli and cauliflower florets cut into small pieces can be steamed in about 1-2 minutes. For larger pieces or whole heads of cauliflower, you may need to increase the cooking time to 4-5 minutes.

Carrots

Carrots cut into 1-inch pieces can be steamed in a pressure cooker in about 2 minutes. If you prefer to keep them whole, set the pressure cooker for 4 minutes.

Potatoes

Potatoes, being denser root vegetables, will take a bit longer to cook. Cut them into small chunks and steam for about 2 minutes. For baby potatoes or larger pieces, you may need to increase the cooking time to 4-7 minutes.

Beets

Beets can be steamed whole or cut into small chunks. Whole beets will take 9-12 minutes, while beet chunks will take around 2 minutes.

Green Beans

Green beans, whether left whole or cut into halves or thirds, will be ready in about 2 minutes.

Other Vegetables

Other vegetables such as asparagus, corn on the cob, sweet potatoes, frozen spinach, and Brassica vegetables like cabbage and Brussels sprouts will also steam nicely in a pressure cooker. The timing will vary depending on the size and type of vegetable, but most will be ready in under 10 minutes.

How to season your veggies before steaming

Steaming vegetables in your Insignia pressure cooker is a great way to cook them quickly while retaining their nutritional value. But before you do, you'll want to season them to add some extra flavour. Here are some ideas for how to season your veggies before steaming them:

Seasoning Ideas

• Squeeze some lemon into the water. Lemon pairs really well with veggies like broccoli, green beans, and summer squash.
• Add a twist of lime peel to the boiling pot.
• Slice oranges and toss them into the cooking water.
• Place fresh herbs like basil or dill on top of your veggies. You can also chop up the herbs and sprinkle them over the vegetables after they're cooked.
• Toss the veggies in olive oil, salt, and pepper before steaming.
• Mince garlic and ginger for an extra flavour kick. You can also sauté garlic with olive oil and toss it with the veggies after they're steamed.
• Add a couple of tablespoons of soy sauce or fish sauce directly to the steaming water.
• Toss sweet vegetables, like sweet potatoes or carrots, with a splash of balsamic, red wine, or other vinegar before steaming.

Other Tips

• Cut your veggies into uniform sizes so they cook evenly.
• Avoid overcooking your veggies, as this can make them mushy and drain them of their nutritional value.
• Use the trivet that comes with your pressure cooker as a steamer basket, or invest in an additional steamer basket to make it easier to hold the veggies in place.
• Keep the veggies from touching the bottom of the pot, as they will boil and may get overcooked.

Frequently asked questions