Steaming vegetables is easy, especially using a microwave. Since this method allows you to soften them, at the end of cooking they can be immediately sautéed or eaten alone. To cook them in the microwave, all you have to do is place them in a large bowl and pour in some water. Set the oven to maximum power and cook them until soft.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare the Vegetables
Step 1. Thaw the vegetables
If you plan to cook frozen vegetables, remove the box or bag from the freezer and let them defrost on the kitchen counter. The duration of defrosting varies according to the density of the vegetables, but it usually takes a few hours. Go in a hurry? Fill a bowl with warm water and soak the frozen vegetables for about 30 minutes.
Fresh vegetables are ready to be washed and cooked
Step 2. Wash the vegetables
It is likely that they have already been washed and only require a quick rinse. Wash one vegetable at a time with warm tap water. In case you bought some fresh vegetables (for example at the market), it is possible that there is dirt left on the stem or stem. Remove it using a sponge if necessary.
Bagged and frozen vegetables should not be washed. Frozen vegetables are in fact cleaned and cut before being packaged
Step 3. Cut the vegetables into easy-to-eat pieces
Place them on a cutting board and chop or cut them into easy-to-eat portions using a sharp kitchen knife. The pieces should not be more than five centimeters long. Cut vegetables cook faster than whole vegetables. In addition, they will be ready to prepare a dish or to be served.
If you need to cook different types of vegetables and greens (such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, and asparagus), try to cut them all around the same size
Part 2 of 3: Arrange the Vegetables in the Bowl
Step 1. Cut the vegetables, put them in a large bowl or plate
Arrange them by creating a single layer at the bottom of the bowl. Make sure it can be put in the microwave (it shouldn't be thin plastic). You could also use a glass dish.
Cook the vegetables in multiple batches if you are unable to create a single layer in the bowl
Step 2. Add tap water
Pour in enough water to cover the bottom of the bowl. Since the vegetables will cook thanks to the steam generated when heating the water, you will need very little. Generally, use enough to coat about an eighth of the vegetables.
Thin leafy vegetables, such as spinach, require very little water. Start by using a teaspoon (five millimeters). Thicker vegetables, such as carrots, require significantly more water
Step 3. Put a sheet of cling film on the bowl
Cut a sheet of cling film and place it on the bowl or glass dish. Make sure you leave a corner of the container uncovered to prevent the accumulated steam from bursting the film.
Replace the cling film with a large porcelain, stoneware or ceramic plate if you prefer to avoid using it
Part 3 of 3: Steaming the Vegetables
Step 1. Cook the vegetables on the highest temperature for two minutes
Cover the bowl, place it in the oven and set it to maximum power. Set it for two minutes and turn it on.
The time it takes to fully steam the vegetables varies depending on two factors: the amount of vegetables to be prepared and the thickness or density of each piece
Step 2. Check the vegetables and cook them longer if necessary
If they are still hard or not fully cooked, flip them over with a fork, then put them back in the microwave. This time set it for 4 minutes. If they are still hard after cooking, flip them once more and steam them for another 4 minutes.
Repeat the process until cooked
Step 3. Serve the vegetables once they have softened
Stick them with a fork to determine if they are cooked well. The fork tines should be able to skewer them very easily. The vegetables must have a soft consistency and be well moistened.
