Creative Vegetable Steamer Recipes For Healthy Eating

A vegetable steamer is a great way to cook your veggies, and it's also one of the quickest and easiest ways to get them on your plate. It's a simple, direct method of cooking that locks in flavour, nutrients and a perfectly tender texture. You can steam all kinds of vegetables, from broccoli and spinach to potatoes and artichokes. And if you're feeling creative, you can even steam fish or dumplings! So, whether you're looking for a healthy and tasty side dish or a simple and satisfying main course, a vegetable steamer is a great option.

Steamer basket or pan

Steaming is a great way to cook vegetables, and you can use a steamer basket or a pan to do this. Here's a guide on how to use these methods to cook your veggies to perfection.

Using a Steamer Basket

A steamer basket is a great tool for steaming vegetables. You can use a metal or silicone steamer basket, or even a bamboo steamer, which is traditional in Asian cooking. Here are the steps to follow:

• Prepare your vegetables: Cut your vegetables into uniform, bite-sized pieces. Smaller pieces will cook faster than larger ones. If you're cooking different types of vegetables, cut the longer-cooking vegetables into smaller pieces than the quicker-cooking ones.
• Heat water in your pan: In a covered pot or pan that fits your steamer basket, heat about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water over high heat until it comes to a boil.
• Fill the steamer basket: Arrange your veggies in the basket, placing the longer-cooking vegetables at the bottom and the quicker-cooking ones at the top.
• Place the steamer in the pan: Carefully place the steamer basket into the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low. If using a metal or silicone steamer, place the lid on top.
• Steam the vegetables: Steam the veggies until they are crisp-tender. Monitor the water level in your pan to ensure it doesn't dry out, adding more water if needed. The steaming time will vary depending on the type of vegetable.
• Test for doneness: Use a paring knife or cake tester to poke the vegetables. The point should slide in easily, but it shouldn't destroy the vegetable. If there's too much resistance, cover and steam for another minute or two.
• Remove the steamer basket: Carefully remove the steamer basket from the pot using a kitchen towel or oven mitts. Alternatively, you can leave the basket in the pan, remove the vegetables with tongs, and allow the steamer to cool before cleaning it.
• Season and serve: Start with a pat of butter or a drizzle of olive oil, and season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also toss the vegetables with fresh herbs, lemon juice, or your favourite spices.

Using a Pan

If you don't have a steamer basket, you can also steam vegetables directly in a pan. Here's how:

• Choose a deep pan: Select a deep pan or pot that is large enough to hold all the vegetables you want to steam. Make sure it has a matching lid that fits securely to retain the steam.
• Add water to the pan: Add about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) of water to the bottom of the pan. This will create steam without boiling away all the nutrients in the vegetables.
• Layer the vegetables: Place the longer-cooking vegetables at the bottom of the pan and layer the quicker-cooking ones on top. This way, you can easily remove the faster-cooking veggies first.
• Heat the pan: Close the lid and heat the pan on medium-high heat. Touch the lid occasionally to check the heat; once it's too hot to touch, the water is steaming.
• Reduce heat and set a timer: Once the water is steaming, reduce the heat to low and set a timer for the recommended steaming time for your vegetables.
• Check for doneness: After the minimum recommended time, insert a knife into the thickest part of the vegetables to check if they are tender. They should have a little crunch but be mostly tender.
• Remove and serve: Once the vegetables are done, remove them from the heat and serve. You can drizzle them with a sauce or toss them with seasonings of your choice.

Microwave

Steaming vegetables in the microwave is a quick and easy way to cook them while retaining their colour, texture, flavour, and nutritional content. It is also a healthy option, as you don't need to add any fat, and the minimal amount of water needed means that fewer nutrients leech out into the water.

Preparation

If you are using frozen vegetables, you will need to thaw them first. Fresh vegetables should be washed, and all vegetables should be cut into serving-size chunks, no more than 2 inches (5 cm) long. Try to cut them so they are roughly the same size to ensure even cooking.

Steaming

Place the vegetables in a microwave-safe bowl or dish and add a thin layer of water—just enough so that the bottom of the bowl is covered. Cover the bowl with microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving one corner open to vent, or use a large plate to cover the bowl instead.

Place the bowl in the microwave and cook on high for two minutes. The amount of time needed to fully steam the vegetables will depend on the quantity and type of vegetable, so check regularly and cook in additional two-minute increments until they are tender.

Cooking Times

The following are cooking times for commonly steamed vegetables. These times are a guide and will vary depending on the power of your microwave and the quantity of vegetables you are cooking.

• Asparagus: 3 minutes
• Broccoli: 3 to 5 minutes
• Brussels sprouts: 7 minutes
• Carrots: 5 minutes
• Cauliflower: 3 to 4 minutes
• Green beans: 3 to 4 minutes
• Peas: 1 to 2 minutes
• Zucchini: 6 to 8 minutes

Electric steamer

To use an electric steamer, simply add water to the base, following the manufacturer's instructions for the recommended water level. Cut your chosen vegetables into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. Place the vegetables into the steamer baskets, arranging them according to their cooking times, with the slower-cooking vegetables at the bottom and quicker-cooking ones at the top.

Close the lid and turn on the steamer. Most electric steamers will automatically time your vegetables, so you don't have to worry about overcooking them. However, it's always a good idea to keep an eye on them and check for doneness after a few minutes. Use a knife or a fork to test if the vegetables are tender.

Once the vegetables are cooked to your liking, carefully remove the steamer baskets from the appliance and serve the vegetables with a drizzle of olive oil, butter, salt, and pepper, or a squeeze of lemon juice to enhance their flavour.

Bamboo steamer

Choosing and Setting Up Your Bamboo Steamer

Recipes for Your Bamboo Steamer

• Steamed Buns ( Gua Bao Buns ): These fluffy steamed buns are perfect for stuffing with your favourite fillings.
• Cantonese Steamed Fish with Ginger and Green Onions: This dish is a delicious way to cook fish, and the bamboo steamer helps to lock in moisture.
• Chinese-Style Spicy Eggplant Salad: Steam eggplants, tear them into pieces, and coat them in a moderately spicy sauce.
• Taiwanese Fresh Peanut Mochi: The bamboo steamer is perfect for making chewy, subtly sweet mochi with a nutty peanut aroma.
• Char Siu Bao ( Chinese Steamed Pork Buns ): Learn how to make the dim sum favourite filled with sweet Chinese barbecued pork.
• Pearl Rice Balls with Ginger-Sesame Sauce: This impressive dish is a restaurant classic that you can now make at home.
• Steamed Mussels with Aioli: A simple yet inspired dish that is perfect for seafood lovers.
• Steamed Chicken with Scallions and Ginger: Show off the natural flavour of a fresh chicken with this recipe.
• Steamed Green Beans with Almond-Mushroom Pesto: A tasty and healthy alternative to traditional green bean casseroles.
• Shiitake Steamed Buns: Use premade pizza dough for a shortcut to making these tangy, umami-rich buns.
• Picadillo-Stuffed Leaves: Your bamboo steamer is ideal for gently cooking stuffed vegetables.
• Steamed Fish with Aromatics: Cook fish with ginger and garlic in your bamboo steamer for a healthy and flavourful dish.

Tips for Steaming Vegetables

When steaming vegetables, it's important to cut them into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. Be mindful of the cooking times for different vegetables and add the denser vegetables first. Avoid over-steaming by setting a timer and checking intermittently. Remove the vegetables from the steamer when they still have a slight crunch, as they will continue to cook through as you prepare the rest of your meal.

Ceramic steamer

A ceramic vegetable steamer is a great way to cook your vegetables and retain all their vitamins and minerals. It's also a quick and easy way to get your veggies on the plate. Here are some tips and tricks for using a ceramic steamer:

Firstly, cut your vegetables into uniform bite-sized pieces. This ensures that they cook at roughly the same rate and are done at the same time. More tender vegetables, like broccoli, will cook faster than denser vegetables, such as carrots. So, if you're steaming a mix of veggies, add the denser ones first and then the quicker-cooking veggies a few minutes later. Alternatively, cut the denser vegetables slightly smaller so they cook through at the same time.

When you're ready to steam, place your ceramic steamer on top of a saucepan filled with water. The water level should be about half to two-thirds full, and the bottom of the steamer should stay above the water level to allow steam to form. Bring the water to a boil and then add your vegetables to the steamer, covering it with a lid. Remember to set a timer to avoid over-steaming—around three minutes is a good starting point, and then check intermittently. The veggies are done when they're tender and can be easily pierced with a knife. They should still have a bit of crunch, as they'll continue to cook a little once out of the steamer.

You can also use your ceramic steamer for reheating and defrosting food, and even making delicious broths. For example, try steaming salmon and potatoes with fresh tarragon, or Provencale tomatoes with garlic and parsley. You can also experiment with steamed fruit—pears, kiwis, apples, and bananas are all great options.

Frequently asked questions