Help - cooking with steamer

denise_h_2

I usually cook my frozen veg in the steamer. I usually put the firmer veg such as carrots, cauli etc in the bottom, with veg such as peas in the upper containers. Then I steam them for about 20-25 mins. Veg such as cauliflower, sprouts etc taste much better as they are not soggy. I've even cooked cabbage in it, after shredding it first. Try it and see the difference to boiling it. You also only need the one item to do an assortment of veg, freeing up the rings on your cooker for stuff such as gravy.

lightisfading

yes i steam veg all the time,
alternatively just put the veg in with the spuds (near the end, if its something quick cooking)?

lisababy2002uk

i use frozen veg now as fresh veg is getting so expensive i usually put it on for 30 mins and its done

aurora_borealis_2

On the advice of my very healthy DD1, I have bought a triple stacking steamer set for the hob.

I have no idea what to do with it

Can you start me off with some ideas ... and can you do potatoes in it?

Thank you.

Queenie

Well done you! :T

Yes you can cook potatoes in the 3 tier steamer. You have two options, either cook them in the water in the base pan, or, steam them in one of the tiers.

All veggies cook and taste much nicer steamed.

You can cook a whole meal in a 3 -tier steamer. For example, wrap some fish in foil and add to one tier and cook your pototoes and veggies in another tier (salmon is especially lovely).

Old fashioned steamed meat puddings in suet pastry (or steamed sponge/suet dessert puddings - scrummy!) can also be cooked in the steamer - they simply take long. To be honest, when it comes to steamed puddings, sweet or savoury, I resort to the speed and efficiency of the microwave over the steamer

I have an eye level grill, so, if I'm cooking say, pork chops, I preheat the grill for the chops and at the same time, put the steamer on the hob for the water to boil. Then, once the water is boiling, I transfer the steamer to the top of the grill which keeps it hot and the food steaming, while the pork chops are cooking. New potatoes in the steamer are just wonderful!

apple_mint

I bought mine off a car boot sale (wedding present and never out of the box for £3) and I couldn't live without it.

I put potatoes in the bottom and two different veggies in the next two layers - all using the same ring. I try to put in as much as possible and use the left over veggies for the next meal (e.g. bubble and squeak).

Before I got this I got an electric steamer (which now spends much of it's time on the pantry shelf) .. however I love steaming salmon in the electric steamer (and I am sure it would work just as well in the hob top one) ... lovely with a squeeze of lemon and black pepper over it (wrapped in an envelope of greasedproof paper).

I bought my daughter a larger set off a car boot sale for £5 (again still in the box and unused!).

aurora_borealis_2

Thanks OSers

Can I have some example timings, kind ladies?

... and salt? (I like salt )

nearlyrich

My 3 tier steamer has been used almost daily for about 20 yeras, we do potatoes in the bottom in the water usually and other veg on top, we had an electric steamer a few years ago but I couldn't be bothered cleaning all the bits so I gave it to a relative.

I have even managed to find a 4th tier for it which is fine for things that don't need much steaming like green beans.

I like my veggies al dente so the idea of boiling carrots and spouts don't appeal at all.

aurora_borealis_2

I'm planning to test tomorrow with a roast.

Potatoes bottom, sprouts middle, cabbage and leeks top?

I'll be doing more veg too - how many tiers high can you go?

nearlyrich

To answer the salt question I just do a twist of the grinder into the water for both salt and pepper, also on timing, the potatoes take about 20 mins I stab 'em with a think skewer to check, other veg depends on density, carrots go on about the same time as potatoes but peas or beans don't take as long so go on later. Hope that helps...