Steamed carrots are a quick and easy side dish to prepare, and go well with any dish. Steaming is the healthiest technique for cooking vegetables, as it keeps all the nutrients intact, retains the colors, flavors and texture. You can cook steamed carrots in a special basket, in the microwave or in a saucepan. All three methods are described below.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: With the Basket
Step 1. Boil the water in a pot
Do not fill it completely, 3-5 cm of water is enough to create the steam.
Step 2. Prepare the carrots
For four people you will need about 750 grams of carrots. Wash them thoroughly with cold water to remove soil and pesticides. Remove the stem with a sharp knife and peel them with a potato peeler. Then cut them as you want: into slices, cubes, slices or you can leave them whole.
Step 3. Place the carrots in the steamer basket
If you don't have one, a colander that fits into the pot is also fine.
Step 4. Put the basket over the boiling water
Make sure this doesn't reach the bottom of the basket. Carrots dipped in water are boiled and not steamed.
Step 5. Cover the pot
Use a lid but don't close it completely. Leave a small vent to let the steam out.
Step 6. Cook the carrots until tender
This will take 5-10 minutes, depending on how big you cut them.
- You can check them by sticking them with a fork. If it goes in easily, the carrots are ready.
- While this is the recommended cooking time, you can cook carrots for as long as you like, depending on how soft or crunchy you want them.
Step 7. Drain them in a colander
Step 8. Place them on a serving dish
Step 9. Add seasonings and flavorings
While the carrots are still hot, season them. They are excellent with a teaspoon of melted butter or sautéed in a pan with a little olive oil, garlic and a sprinkle of lemon juice. And don't forget salt and pepper.
Method 2 of 3: In the Microwave
Step 1. Prepare the carrots
For four people you will need about 750 grams of carrots. Wash them thoroughly with cold water to remove soil and pesticides. Remove the stem with a sharp knife and peel them with a potato peeler. Then cut them as you want: into slices, cubes, slices or you can leave them whole.
Step 2. Put them in a microwave-safe bowl
Add a tablespoon of water and cover the bowl with microwave-safe cling film.
Step 3. Set the microwave to maximum power
Cook the carrots until tender, this will take 4-6 minutes. You can check the cooking with a fork.
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If they need a few more minutes, put them back in the microwave and cook in one-minute intervals until they reach the desired softness.
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Be careful when you remove the cling film from the bowl, it is hot!
Steam Carrots Step 12Bullet2
Step 4. Serve the carrots
While still in the microwave bowl add the toppings you like. You can put melted butter (a teaspoon), salt and pepper. Transfer the carrots to a serving dish and serve immediately.
Method 3 of 3: In a pan
Step 1. Wash and peel the carrots, remove the stem
Cut into rounds, slices or cubes.
Step 2. Add 2.5cm of water to a large skillet
Salt the water and boil it.
Step 3. Put the carrots in the pan
Step 4. Cover the pan with a lid and let it simmer until the water evaporates and the carrots are cooked
If necessary, you can add a little water.
- Be aware that when you cook carrots in this way they are not exactly steamed in the true sense of the term, since they are in contact with water.
- Be that as it may, this is a good alternative to steaming if you don't have a basket or microwave, and you will get a similar result.
Step 5. Drain the excess water from the pan
Step 6. You can season directly into the pan, adding some butter, herbs (such as parsley and nutmeg), salt and pepper
Stir in the carrots and immediately pour them into the serving dish. Serve immediately.
