Steamed veggies, I now think I invented the process

[Roadwarrior]

While wintering in the SW since October I have learned a few things, one is the versatility of the steaming pot. My wife had packed it in my trailer since I bought a smaller for her at home. I had let it sit for months under my bed. 2 weeks ago I decided to give it a go. I have been consuming sweet potatoes for the fiber & nutrients, I thought microwaving them was the only way (I had fried them like home fries but was worried about what the fat was doing to my body).

I had been reading about steaming foods, now I've never professed to be anything of a cook but I gave it a try. Easy, quick & delicious. I'm now experimenting with carrots & cauliflower. I like my carrots almost mush, somehow they always get caught in my throat. The sweet potatoes were a success, I hope the mix of carrots & cauliflower will be as good. It's easy cleanup (wash a few pots) mash with a potato masher add real butter you now have a healthy side dish.

Are there other things I can use the versatile pot for? What about beets? I've had steamed cabbage & broccoli at home, were okay. Raw or almost raw vegetables are not my cup of tea, hard on my digestion, although my wife suggested diced celery to give the dish a little crunch. I don't like steamed tomatoes there's only one way to eat them & it doesn't involve fire. I did steam a batch of while sweet potatoes yesterday, the jury's still out on them. The process seems very easy to me & less messy & healthier than frying in oils.

 

[RadishRose]

I've always heard steaming vegetables preserved more vitamins than boiling or frying. They're ok by me but I'm not fond of sweet potatoes . I really like roasted vegetables though, tossed in a little olive oil and spread flat on a sheet pan.

 

[Seeker]

I steam my breads...like hamburger buns and such....that's about it. I love raw carrots, celery, and peppers.
I tried white sweet potatoes recently and really liked them.
Don't own a steaming pot..I have a old steamer gadget you just set on top of a pot of water.

 

[Roadwarrior]

I really like roasted vegetables though, tossed in a little olive oil and spread flat on a sheet pan.

That's how my wife does Brussel Sprouts, little extra virgin olive oil, a little Mrs. Dash (flavor (?)) in a bag shake, dump in pan, roast in the oven, turn or shake the pan every so often until the outer leaves start curling & crispy. I have to watch it somewhat, too many - cramps.

Every thing I've read on the cooking method says steaming is the healthiest way for most foods, also eat an avocado with your orange veggies (carrots, orange sweet potatoes,,,etc) helps your body extract the maximum beta-carotene from them.

 

[SeaBreeze]

I steam both frozen or fresh vegetables in a small steamer pot that I've had for years. Also steam shrimp in there. This picture is similar to the one I have, but I think mine's smaller.

 

[Ruth n Jersey]

I always steam my string beans fresh from the garden. They stay so green and a bit on the crisp side but I suppose if you steam them longer they will be softer. When I first decided to try steaming I had what I though was a steamer. I told my sister in law how I loved the steamer she gave me as a gift a few years back. She told me it wasn't a steamer but a vintage egg basket. She thought it would go well with my then chicken figurine collection. I didn't ask her what it was at that time. I must say it made a great steamer.

 

[Smiling Jane]

I steam a bunch of different fresh vegetables, usually broccoli, green beans, carrots, onions, crookneck squash, zucchini and whatever else I happen to have. I serve it over brown rice. I used to melt cheese over it but now I make a sauce.

I've been making this for years; it's always one of my favorite meals.

 

[Ruthanne]

Steamed veggies are best when they are still on the hard side because when you steam them until they are soft you lose a lot of the vitamins.

 

[Mizzkitt]

Another one here with the old fashioned steam insert. I use it not only for the meal of the day veggie but also for blanching veggies for the freezer.

Generally will make a double batch in the steamer and save the other half for a microwave.

 

[Roadwarrior]

Steamed veggies are best when they are still on the hard side because when you steam them until they are soft you lose a lot of the vitamins.

Lot of schools of thought on that, boiling or otherwise, Yes! Steaming loses less & some say it brings out more of the nutrients. I subscribe to the agenda of 'Softer the better' but that's just my preference, it's all about my digestive process. You are probably right but it's still better than something canned or packaged.

This morning a neighbor brought over a plate of bacon, I consumed it, more or less inhaled it wondering why did I ever eliminate that from my diet, it doesn't spike my BS & at my age a few extra nitrates won't hurt that much. Back to the eggs, bacon & sweet potato patties.

Update: This afternoon for lunch I fried (in olive oil) up two eggs, mixed a third with my white sweet potatoes, sided with a sliced avocado & had eggs-potato patties, avocado & hot coffee. By my standards it was a very nutritious lunch & felt I had cheated.