I have had a life long relationship with a steamer. To be specific, I am referencing the type of vegetable steamer that folds open (see pic below). As a child, I just liked opening and closing the steamer and thought it was a kitchen flower. Now as an adult, I’m not sure how other people steam food. I’ve seen people use large automatic steamer type devices which look all impressive. But I’ll take my traditional, comfortable, compact lil steamer any day.
A few weeks ago, I would have found it strange if someone had never seen this device before. Then I found out my homie Lindsay over at FitandAwesome.com has never had one! When I asked her how she steamed her vegetables, she replied that she ‘cooked them in boiling water’. Last I checked, that was BOILING vegetables. I couldn’t handle the thought of those poor vegetables being massacred in such a cruel manner (I believe it’s against the Geneva Convention) and gifted her a steamer.
She said that her husband immediately noticed the vegetables were “much tastier” when she used the steamer and asked how she had prepared them that night. Win!
FYI she never had a vegetable peeler until recently as well. Poor chica, I’m never gonna let you live this down.
Using these steamers is super easy – you expand the steamer and pop it into your sauce pan of whatever size. Just put a little bit of water on the bottom of the sauce pan and bring it to a boil. Plop your veggies on top, then place a lid on the pot (or veggies, if they are piled higher than the pot). Few minutes later – tender, delicious steamed veggies.
Like a bud waiting to bloom!
And then lo! the flower blooms!
This is the ONLY way I prepare my cauliflower to be mashed. Keeps it from being too grainy, and creates a nice smooth consistency.
So now I want to know, people – have you never seen or used one of these devices?
Zoe says
I remember these, didn’t know you could still get them!
Sparky says
Oh no, now I feel “old school”. LOL Sometimes the best “technology” is one that has been around the block for awhile? 😀 What do you use to steam your veggies?
Lindsay says
Thank you for my vegetable steamer! I love it so much and hubby does too! You are such a thoughtful kitty.
Ellora says
I’ve seen them and played with them as a child, but have never seen one in use. I’m confused that such a small amount of boiling water doesn’t evaporate enough that the veggies were smoked/burnt instead of steamed (I’ve managed that before…). How deep would you recommend the water being for that wire steamer basket? They have very short legs…
My mum had a system that I believe is (maybe?) just as old school. It was a stackable set of 4 small pots and only one lid for the very top, the top 3 pots had vent holes in the bottom and you could steam things separately with different timings. She had the pot set for about 18 years before the bottom pot that held the water (a half filled small pot of water usually) got a crack in the bottom and made the whole set useless.