I have a lot of kitchen tools and appliances. I’m even guilty of getting succored in to the dazzle of some new kitchen tool on late night tv infomercials. Some have been great, some were just a down right waste of money. There is one kitchen appliance that my dad gave me several years ago that has become my all time favorite (very close contender to my Vita-Mix). Before I share let me just say I’m not affiliated with this appliance company in anyway. It’s a food steamer. Do you have one of these babies?
What I love about it is that it uses steam to cook your food instead a pot of boiling water. Cooking your food in a pot full of boiling water boils all the vitamins and minerals out of them. Plus veggies turn out limp and tasteless. I use a steamer for cooking all my veggies such as corn, broccoli, asparagus, and green beans, just to name a few.
In the morning I also use my steamer to make the perfect size bowl of steal cut oatmeal and hard boiled (I mean steamed) eggs for breakfast. It takes me 1 minute to throw it all in, I set the timer for 30 minutes then go about getting the boys ready. Plus I don’t have to stand there and constantly stir a pot of oatmeal, not to mention the sticky cleaning of the pot afterwards.
My boys won’t touch oatmeal but they love hard boiled (steamed) eggs (hold the yolks).
I’ve started making a whole carton of eggs at a time and putting them in the fridge. I have to limit them otherwise they could easily go through a dozen between the three of them in one sitting. Steaming them is so much easier then babysitting a pot of boiling water and trying to guess when they’re done. I can stick them in the steamer, set the timer for 30 minutes and walk away.
The other meal that I love to steam is fish. It comes out perfectly moist and flaky. I buy frozen filets of Halibut, Mahi-Mahi, Salmon and Tilapia, take them right out of the freezer and put them in the steamer. Then I shake a little seasoning on the frozen filet or even put lemon slices on it, steam it and in 30 minutes it’s de-lish. Sometimes I’ll even put some corn or veggies in with it to make a complete and healthy meal.
Do you have a steamer? What do you use it for?
What is your all time favorite kitchen appliance?
Hey there! I’m Michelle; I’m an Passionate DIY’er and in constant pursuit of how to bring beauty to my house full of men (3 boys + 1 hubby). Stick around and see what I’ve got up my hard-working sleaves!
Hi Michele!
This steamer looks great– I have just one question– how do you clean it? Does it ever smell like fish?
Thanks!
Every component can go in the dishwasher except the heating element which you can wash by hand with soap and water. No fish smell luckily! Thanks!
I need one of these! Thanks Michelle!
Um, OK, I REALLY need one of these. I am all for quick and easy homemade meals since by 5pm I am utterly spent. I have thrown veggies in a steamer basket atop a pot of boiling pasta water, but taking frozen things out of the freezer and putting them in a steamer for 30 minutes sounds fantastic.
Question: I have a family of 6. How much does your steamer cook at one time? Would it steam 6 tilapia steaks for us at one time?
Thanks,
Julie
I have a family of 5 and there is plenty of room. In fact most steamers can go single or double decker. Happy steaming!
That looks ridiculously easy.. And amazing!!!! I need one!
I had no idea these even existed. I need to get one IMMEDIATELY. What a healthy (and easy) way to cook!
I have a Black and Decker steamer that I’ve had for probably 20 years. 15, definitely. I use it for eggs and veggies, but I also use it to warm up leftover meats. It’s the best way I’ve found to reheat meat.
Now a question, can you give specifics on the oatmeal??? Do you use less liquid than you would when boiling it? I’ve never thought of doing that, but it looks soooooooooooooo easy!
I’ve found that some brands work better than others. I use quick cook steel cut oats from Costco and use just one ounce less water than it normally calls for. Turns out perfect. Thanks for the tip on the meat, I’m going to have to try that. 🙂
Stop it! I have that steamer and never even thought to do hard boiled (steamed) eggs in it. My favorite is steaming carrots and yellow squash. But I’m for sure going to try the eggs!
I love my B&D steamer! Got it as a wedding gift over 16 years ago. My favorite thing to steam is artichokes–the jumbo ones from the farmer’s market. Also, cauliflower and broccoli. I plan to use it to make my own baby food when we start our little one on solids soon. I never thought to steam eggs or oatmeal in it. I’m going to try that!
Yes, I won’t prepare artichokes any other way! You’ve to try eggs and oatmeal…super easy and little mess! Thanks for your comment! 🙂
Love my steamer! I have never tried frozen fish though… a great idea! I only steam my eggs for 20 minutes – 30 seems too long – do the yolks get over-cooked in 30? Try taking one out in 20 and see if it’s cooked enough for your taste – might save a few minutes!
Yes, fish is the best in the steamer! I don’t eat the yolks anyway but I’ll for sure try 20 minutes and see how I like them…thanks for the tip!