So Useful that I’m Glad I Have Two Vegetable Steamers
Written: Jul 08 '05
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Inexpensive, makes delicious vegetables
Cons: None for me
The Bottom Line: A great way to make tasty vegetables
|
|
|
| mmcphee's Full Review: R.S.V.P. 9" Collapsible Vegetable Steamer |
I’ve never been much of a vegetable eater. Growing up we ate mostly canned vegetables and any fresh vegetables we did have my mother boiled. Everything had the same mushy texture and not much taste. Now that I am the mom I want my kids to eat their veggies so I use my R.S.V.P Collapsible Vegetable Steamers on a daily basis.
The Basics
This stainless steel steamer basket looks a little like a flower. The center of the flower is about 5 ½” and when the petals are fully extended the steamer is a full 9”. The center and the petals are perforated with small holes. There is a short aluminum post and ring in the center for carrying the steamer. On the bottom there are three ¾” tall legs.
Using the Basket
This vegetable steamer needs to be used with a covered pot. You put a little less than 1” of water in the bottom of the pot and then put the steamer basket inside. You then put in your cut fresh vegetables and put on a tight fitting lid. The steamer needs to be in a pot that is about 6-10” in diameter and at least 4” deep. Place the pot on the burner and cook on high until the vegetables reach the desired tenderness.
Our Experience
I was surprised to discover how many vegetables I do like when they aren’t boiled to death. I use it for broccoli, string beans, carrots, zucchini and snow peas. Everything comes out tender enough to eat but not a pile of mush. It does take a little practice to figure out exactly how long to cook each vegetable, but everything is generically ready in 5-10 minutes. Steamed vegetables retain more of their vitamins and minerals than boiled vegetables since the water does not leach out all of the nutrients. The holes are small enough so that the steams easily penetrates the food but small enough so that nothing falls through into the water below.
This small steamer basket holds enough vegetables to cook about 4 servings. I normally use my 2 or 3 quart size pots for steaming vegetables. If I want to do a lot of broccoli then I use a large stock pot but if the pot gets much larger than 10” sometimes the steamer tips over. I often use the steamer in my Teflon coated pot and I have not had any problem with the legs scratching the surface.
The ring on the post allows you to lift the basket out of the pot when the vegetables are done. I use a fork to fish the basket out of the pot. Since the ring and post are aluminum it only takes a few seconds out of the pot before they are cool enough to pick up by hand, but the petals do take a little longer to cool down.
As with everything else in my kitchen the steamer goes into the dishwasher for cleaning. I partially collapse the petals and turn it upside down and put it on the top rack. It always comes out clean. These little steamers have been used daily for the past 6 years and still look like new.
I recently discovered another use for my steamer baskets. My children are enjoying their wading pool, except for the bugs. My husband had the great idea of using my small metal strainer as a skimmer. I do have a large plastic strainer for pasta, but for draining and rinsing a can of beans it was overkill and took up way too much room in the dishwasher. The steamer baskets are great for straining a can of pineapple and other small amounts of food.
Final Thoughts
Between cooking vegetables for dinner and draining beans and fruit for lunch I am so glad that I somehow acquired two steamer baskets. There are days that I really could use three.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
mmcphee
|
 - Top 50 |
|
Member: Mary Ellen
Location: Nutmeg State
Reviews written: 1083
Trusted by: 217 members
About Me:The TRIVIAL review is here! And here!
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.