(Boiling is not our preferred method for cooking broccoli, unless you’re OK with a mushier texture.) The stalk pieces take longer to cook and should be cut smaller than this. The steam then cooks the vegetables (in this case, broccoli) delicately but quickly, rendering it crisp-tender without losing flavor, nutrients or color. Cover. To learn more, including how to steam broccoli using a metal colander, scroll down. Broccoli is also low in calories; a half-cup serving contains just 23 calories. You can serve the broccoli from the saucepan, or transfer it to a serving dish. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. how to steam broccoli without a steamer. I use a small, glass cereal bowl. (You can also peel the stalk, trim away the tough end and slice it into bite-size pieces if you’d like. Or fish? It is simple, has great information, and is to the point. The plate traps the steam inside the bowl (it’s more eco-friendly than plastic wrap), cooking the broccoli. Once finished, the broccoli should be bright green and tender-crisp. Be careful when you remove the broccoli from the microwave. Even if you don’t plan to eat the stalks, cut them up so you can place them in the bottom of the bowl. Alternatively, add ¼ cup of water to a skillet and bring it to a boil. References ), Gallery: The Right Way To Cook Fish On The Grill (Delish). Steaming cauliflower can be done in a pan, with a steamer basket, or in the microwave. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If you do not have a lid for your dish, use microwave-safe plastic wrap instead. Firmer vegetables like turnips or potatoes may take 6-8 minutes, and softer, moister veg like broccoli will take less – around 4 minutes. (And no, you don’t need a steamer basket if you don’t already have one. Open the bowl away from you to avoid exposing yourself to the steam. Thank you very much. How to steam broccoli without a steamer: On the stove, broccoli is quickly steamed in a pot with an inch or two of boiling water. Yes, the microwave will produce some perfectly steamed greens, with a pinch of salt and maybe some butter. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Is it necessary to boil the broccoli before steaming? (You can also peel the stalk, trim away the tough end and slice it into bite-size pieces if you’d like.). Next, add the broccoli, put a lid on the skillet, and cook for 3 minutes on high heat. The good news is, steam broccoli in the microwave is extremely very easy. ", "Yes! The bright green stalks and florets of a bunch of broccoli are bursting with nutrients, including vitamin C, protein, fiber and calcium. Steaming softens broccoli’s often bitter preference and also coaxes out its internal wonderful and also nutty taste. Test for doneness and repeat at 30-second intervals until the broccoli is tender. Broccoli is nutritionally dense, and plays an important role in any healthy diet. Broccoli is a great source of vitamins K, C and folate (folic acid). Check the broccoli's texture after the 2 minutes. On a cutting board, cut the broccoli crown from the stem. I’ve always steamed by broccoli … It should be bright green and pierceable with a fork, but not so done that it’s gone limp or mushy or turned an unsavory shade of olive. Make sure the lid is on snugly so the steam can’t escape. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Break the broccoli spears into bite-sized pieces with clean hands or cut them with a knife. Remove the lid so that it acts as a shield to deflect the steam away from your face. Rice Put 1-2 cups (195-390 g) of rice in a colander and rinse it off. If you don't see water in the bottom of the bowl, add a tablespoon of water. Learn more... Steaming broccoli instead of boiling it retains more of the vegetable’s nutrients and natural flavors. Microwave on high until tender-crisp, about 4 minutes. In this video you'll learn how to steam your broccoli in the microwave. Be careful not to splash any of the boiling water onto your skin. What you’ll need: A large pot with a lid and a colander that fits inside it. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe plate. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or plate (avoid plastic wrap in microwaves) and cook on high power for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper and serve. Why it works: A colander can act just like a steamer basket, as long as you have a pot large enough to fit it inside (and that has a lid). If you don’t have the right combination of stock pot, lid, and metal colander, you’re better off either using an alternate steaming method or buying a steamer basket that fits your stock pot. There is a way to steam your food without a steamer, steam basket, or microwave, and it’s surprisingly simple but may sound ridiculous until you try it. My friend Kasey taught me this easy trick on how to steam broccoli in the microwave. The smaller bite sized pieces will cook that quickly. You can discard the stalks if you like, but they’re quite tasty and tender when steamed properly! A quick refresher from 7th grade science class: When water reaches its boiling point (that is, 212°F), it begins to vaporize and turn into steam. So now that you’re sold on steaming, here’s how to do it. Or, if you have a metal colander that nestles into a stock pot, you can make your own steaming basket! “Bite size” means the florets should be cut into about 1 in (2.5 cm) pieces. % of people told us that this article helped them. Just place the broccoli florets in a bowl along with a splash of water. This will keep the tender florets from boiling in the water in the bottom of the bowl. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b0\/Steam-Broccoli-Without-a-Steamer-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Steam-Broccoli-Without-a-Steamer-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b0\/Steam-Broccoli-Without-a-Steamer-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid2669473-v4-728px-Steam-Broccoli-Without-a-Steamer-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"