Know Your Techniques: Steaming Vegetables

Steaming is arguably one of the healthiest ways to cook vegetables, but that doesn't mean it's boring. Not only do properly steamed vegetables retain most of their nutrients, but the brightly colored vegetables are incredibly appetizing and full of flavor.

The Basics
Firstly, the water should be boiling before you add the vegetables to your steamer basket to ensure even temperature throughout the cooking process. Try not to crowd the steamer with too many vegetables and take care to either properly layer your steamer basket according to cooking time or just cook up several batches.

Timing Is Everything
The most important part of steaming vegetables is the timing. Oversteam, and you'll suffer through bland, nutrient-poor, dull vegetables. But practice makes perfect; you'll soon learn what timing works for you.

Start Playing Around
To get creative and add some interesting flavor to your steamed vegetables, play around with adding liquids, like wine or lemon juice, to the boiling water, or toss in some fresh herbs like thyme. Serve your brightly colored steamed vegetables with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and vinegar for acidity, topped off with a sprinkle of salt and cracked black pepper.

What are your favorite vegetables to steam?