Here is something I tried and was surprised

Canada
February 9, 2008 3:08pm CST
Ok now you must ahve seen those microwavable steam bags , well being on disability I can`t afford them so I first tried just a plain ziplock and I wasn`t happy how the veggies turned out at all . I love my veggies but am nervous to carry a heavy pot of water to drain , due to the MS I tend to drop things and now won`t carry a pot of hot water to the sink ... Then I thought well if they can steam them and they turn out fine why can`t I just boil the water PLOP the veggies in , bring it to a boil and turn it off . Make sure there is enough water that covers the veggies though . AND THE LID FITS TIGHT or have extra water with a lose lid would work ... After it boils turn off the water so your not boiling all the good out of the vegetables and walk away , depending on what itt is , say baby carrots I let stand in the pot of hot water for about 30 minutes and spoon them out , if their not done the way you like them you can bring the water back to a boil and do it again until their the way you like them . This way THEIR STEAMED and theres no worries of burning and once your used to the way you like them you can go on doing whatvever ... Even if you need to go to work turn it off and reheat in the microwave .... AND THERE IS NO BIG HEAVY POT OF HOT WATER TO DRAIN AS IT WILL BE COOLED BY THE TIME YOU GET HOME ... JUST DRAIN AND REHEAT , EMPTY .... Thats all there is to it , sorry if it sounds complicated , but try it out , you`ll be surprised ... I like my veggies with a little bit of a bite so it varies on what I`m having ... Happy cooking , made my cooking alot easier .... Oh and the light bill won`t be as much where the stove is only on to boil the water not for the half hour it normally would be on . I just started this about a week ago so I`m wondering how it will reflect my bill ... My bill is normally about 90-100 dollars a month so I can`t wait to see how much it will be this month ...
2 people like this
4 responses
@Liasonfan (1702)
• Canada
9 Feb 08
Well good for you. Whatever works wrll. go for it. I love my veggies too, expecially steamed ones. I bought a couple of those vegetable steamer inserts for pots at the dollar store. I love my veggies steamed that way, in a pot with a tight fitting lid, just a little water in the bottom. The veggies don't touch the water and I can spoon them out of the basket when the rest of my dinner is ready, leaving the pot and the water on the stove to cool! The only other veggies I really love are roasted in foil on the bar b e que. MMMMM MMMM good, lol!
• Canada
10 Feb 08
Then I pour the veggie water into ice-cube trays! When frozen, I just bag them up for the next time you want to make soups or stews.
@irishmist (3814)
• United States
11 Feb 08
I don't blame you for not wanting to carry a heavy pot of hot water, and this sounds like a really good idea, and all the vitamins won't be boiled out. I will have to try this. Thanks for the great tip!
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
10 Feb 08
I know this isn't the best method for all veggies, but for those that improve in the microwave you can put the veggies and about 2 tbsp of water in a microwavable container with a lid for about 6 minutes and you get the steamed effect. I would think with your method you are still loosing a lot of nutrients allowing the veggies to sit in the water. Have you though about doing the same thing and using a small steamer basket (the type that folds up). If you boil the water, place the basket w/the veggies in the pot and cover, turn off the heat (just like you are doing above)...you would use the same amount of water and you would still be steaming your veggies.
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
10 Feb 08
Not my business, but I am really concerned about the BPA's from the plastic leaching into your food. The leakage is twice as bad when the plastic is heated.