What can I use instead of steamer basket?

Colander Method If you have a heat-safe colander, you can place it inside a large, lidded pot to create a steamer. If you're steaming small items, use the perforated bowl to contain the ingredients. If you're steaming larger foods like corn on the cob or lobsters, flip it over and arrange the foods atop it.

What can I use if I don't have a steaming basket?

Can you use a strainer as a steamer basket?

You know that mesh strainer we mentioned? It makes a heck of a good steamer basket. Use the mesh strainer to steam vegetables, too. To steam with a mesh strainer, heat a few inches of water to boil in a pot.

Is a steamer basket necessary?

All a steamer basket does is lift food off of the direct heat (i.e. the bottom of a pot) as it cooks. It's a great, simple tool that doesn't cost a lot, but if you've misplaced yours or don't have one, there are other ways to effectively steam your veggies.

How do you steam vegetables without a steamer basket?

If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use the oven to steam vegetables in a parchment paper pouch, or you can always use the microwave if you're in a real pinch.

How to Steam Vegetables Correctly

How do you improvise a colander for steaming?

To create a colander from aluminum foil, measure and tear a portion that fits over the rim of your pan, providing enough space to both create a depression in your foil and to fold the edges over your pan. Then, double up on your layers so it's sturdy, poke a few holes, and steam your veggies.

How do you steam carrots without a steamer basket?

Boil some water in a pot and place the metal rack on it. Place the vegetables on the metal rack and either cover the pot with a lid or with an aluminum foil sheet to prevent the heat from escaping. Steam the veggies until done and then remove the rack from the pot.

How do you steam tamales without a steamer?

Steaming tamales without a steamer basket requires a setup that lifts the tamales above boiling water and also allows steam to penetrate them. You can use a metal colander or an overturned bowl in a pot of boiling water with chopsticks balanced on top. You can also grill or pan fry tamales.

Can I use a plastic colander to steam broccoli?

Place a steamer basket (or a strainer or colander that fits on top of your pot) add the broccoli. Ensure the water isn't touching the steamer basket. Bring to a boil and cover to allow the steam to build up. Time the broccoli for about 5 minutes (per the printable recipe below).

Can you steam food in a colander?

Place vegetables, fish, dumplings, tamales or whatever needs to be steamed in the colander, cover and steam as usual. Line the steamer with slices of lemon or fresh herbs to add extra flavor.

How to cook broccoli on stove without steamer?

Option 2: Steam without a steamer basket

Add just enough water to cover the bottom of a large skillet (about 3/4 cup for a 12-inch skillet). Add the broccoli in an even layer, cover, and steam over medium-high heat until just tender and bright green, 6 to 8 minutes total.

How to steam broccoli on stove?

Add the broccoli florets to a steamer basket, and place it in a saucepan filled with 1 inch of water. Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cover the pan. Let steam for 5 minutes, or until the broccoli is crisp-tender and bright green. Season with salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice to taste.

Can you steam carrots in a Ziploc bag?

directions. Put baby carrots in medium or large Ziploc steamer bag. Microwave for 6 minutes. Carefully open bag (the steam is very HOT!) and add the butter sprays, seasoning mix and cheese.

Is it better to boil or steam carrots?

No matter which way you cook them, carrots are a healthy choice. Steaming is a slightly better pick since the carrots don't lose as many of their nutrients to the water. (Steaming is also more environmentally friendly since it uses less water.)

What are the different ways to steam vegetables?

There are so many ways to perform steaming including using a pan insert basket, the microwave, collapsible basket, electric steamer, even the microwave or a covered pan.

What utensil is needed for steaming food?

Steamer Baskets

The simplest way to steam food is to place a steamer basket in a saucepan over about 5-10cm of boiling water. Place your seasoned food to be steamed in the basket (either directly or on a pate) and cover it with a lid.

Can you steam in microwave?

Micro-Steaming Vegetables. To micro-steam, lay vegetables in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate. Cover them with a triple layer of damp paper towels. Microwave on high heat until the vegetables are tender, two and a half to six minutes, depending on the power of your microwave.

Can I steam potatoes?

Boil water: Add 1 inch of water and a large pinch of salt to a large pot. Add the steamer basket to the pot and bring the water to a boil. Add potatoes and steam: Once boiling, reduce the heat slightly, add the potatoes and cover the pot. Steam the potatoes for 10 to 15 minutes, until tender when pierced with a fork.

Can I use aluminum foil for steaming dumplings?

All you'll need to steam the soup dumplings is a plate, a shallow pan, and three balled-up pieces of aluminum foil. The aluminum foil balls should all be roughly the same size. To get started, place your aluminum foil balls in the pan. Fill the pan with about 1.5 inches of water, and turn on the heat.

Can I use a strainer to steam dumplings?

When ready, take a sauce pan filled with less than an inch of water in it, put a metal colander/strainer (the dumplings stuck to my plastic/silicone one so I recommend metal) in the pan so that it's not touching the water underneath, and have a cover ready for your new steaming apparatus.

Will dumplings stick to steamer?

You can steam dumplings in 8-10 minutes. To prevent your dumplings from sticking to your steamer, brush oil directly onto the base of your steamer and the base of dumplings, place your dumplings on lettuce leaves, or line your steamer with baking paper with small holes cut out to allow steam to come through.

What is a steamer basket?

A bit like a shallower pasta insert, a steamer basket fits neatly into the top of a pot or saucepan of boiling water. While they're often made of metal (ours is made of premium stainless steel), you can also find steamer baskets made of silicone or bamboo, as well as collapsible versions.

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