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Steaming Vegetables - The Best Way To Preserve Essential Nutrients And Vitamins
Steaming vegetables is one of the very best - and healthiest - ways of cooking these delicious foods. I always favor steaming vegetables over other methods of cooking wherever possible for a number of different reasons, not least because it's one of the best ways to conserve essential vitamins, nutrients and minerals. In this article we'll look at what exactly steam cooking is and just why it's so good for your health. We've also got some top tips for successful steaming, and helpful guidelines on how long to steam specific types of vegetables. So What Exactly Is Steaming? Steam cooking is simply where food is cooked by steam, as opposed to using oil or fat.
Why Is Steaming So Good For Your Health? There are many different health benefits of steaming vegetables. Firstly, steaming is a much healthier form of cooking as it uses no added fat or oil. Secondly, steaming is a gentle method of cooking and so allows vegetables to retain more of their natural flavor, color, shape and texture than rigorous boiling or baking allows. Thirdly, steaming preserves more of the nutritional value of food than other conventional methods of cooking, and keeps more of the essential vitamins and minerals found in vegetables locked in. In addition to these health benefits of steaming vegetables, it is also an extremely quick way of cooking food - steam is hotter than boiling water and so the vegetables will cook faster, while at the same time absorbing less water which can dilute nutrients. It's also a type of cooking which lends itself well to most different types of vegetables. And lastly, and perhaps most importantly, there's also usually fewer dishes to wash up afterwards too! :)
7 Top Tips For Successfully Steaming Vegetables The following are some handy tips when steaming veggies to ensure they are at their tastiest and most nutritionally valuable. 1. Wash Before Steaming You should always wash vegetables before preparing and steaming them to get rid of any surface dirt and bacteria. 2. Cut Your Vegetables Into Small Pieces It's best to cut your veggies into small even-sized pieces as this helps to ensure that they cook quickly and evenly. 3. Don't Prepare Your Vegetables Too Far In Advance Cut your vegetables as close to steaming as possible. This stops them from dehydrating or oxidizing. 4. Cook Different Types Of Vegetables In Layers Different types of vegetables take different amounts of time to cook. When steaming more than one particular type of vegetable at a time, place them in layers for best results. 5. Be Careful Not To Overcook Because it is such a quick way of cooking, pay particular attention to your veggies to prevent them from overcooking. 6. Test The Color And Texture Vegetables are at their most nutritionally valuable when they are still bright in color and are a little firm in the center. A good indication that your vegetables are properly cooked is when you can cut into them easily with a fork, but they've not turned mushy or faded. 7. Always Serve Steamed Vegetables Straight Away Steamed vegetables can become soggy or wrinkly if left to sit, so always serve immediately. They're particularly tasty dressed with either a little olive oil, butter or lemon juice and seasoned with some salt and cracked black pepper. Timing Guidelines For Steaming Vegetables Lastly, we've also included some guidelines for steaming different types of vegetables. Please note that the following times are approximate only - adjust them according to your own tastes and preferences, though do bear in mind that overcooking can diminish the amount of vitamins and minerals contained within the veggies.
As you can see, there are many great benefits of steaming vegetables. If you've never tried it before, why not give it a whirl today and be impressed by how fresh, nutritious and delicious your veggies taste!
For more cooking tips like this article on steaming vegetables, click here.
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