Make the Most of Your Steam Cooker

In my opinion, a steam cooker is an appliance that every kitchen should have. This is especially true for a family that is committed to eating healthy. When you think of a steam cooker, you may just think of a rice cooker, but the reality is that there is so much more that you can do with your steam cooker! Cooking rice is just the beginning! Let's take a look at some other ways that you can use your steamer.

Other Grains

For starters, steam cookers can be used to make most any type of grain. I love to cook quinoa and amaranth in my steam cooker! Because the cooking times will vary a bit from that of rice, you will want to either try to find instructions on the internet or you will need to do a bit of testing to find the perfect cooking time.

Vegetables

My favorite way to prepare fresh vegetables is in a steamer. One of the best parts of steaming vegetables is that it helps to preserve the nutrients. I am not a big fan of cooking in the microwave, but recently a study came out that said that steaming vegetables was much better at preserving nutrients than boiling them on the stovetop. Steaming is the best way to preserve vitamins B, vitamin C and flavonoids in foods. High heat cooking like boiling or braising destroys many of the health benefits of foods. This is why people following a raw food diet elect not to cook their food.

When you think of steamed vegetables carrots, broccoli and cauliflower are probably what comes to mind. But the options do not stop there. Try some asparagus topped with garlic. Feeling like potatoes? A great way to cook white potatoes or sweet potatoes is in a steam cooker! Feeling like something special? Try steamed artichokes! The options are endless!

Do you have a freezer full of frozen vegetables? You will be happy to know that vegetables go from freezer to steamer with no problem! You will just have to increase your cooking time!

Seafood and Chicken

You may have never thought of cooking meat in a steamer but it actually works really great. Crab Legs anyone?

A Complete Meal

You can even put a complete meal in your steamer. Put in some cut up potatoes, chopped red peppers and diced chicken for a great one dish meal! You can even sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top if you want to.