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Wonderful vegetables; bright, beautiful, and just plucked from the garden patch but cooking can fade the color and drain the valuable nutrients out of these fresh vegetables. If you want to retain the vivid color and pleasing crunch of your beautiful, just picked vegetables but do not want to eat them raw, steam them! Steaming vegetables helps retain the crisp texture, bright color, and healthful nutrients that are just under the vegetables skin, waiting to found.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:off ice:office" /

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In this article, we will be discussing two methods of steaming vegetables, which are:

1) Stovetop two piece steamers

2) Counter-top rice/vegetable steamer units

Using the stovetop steamer is an easy task. You can use just water to steam vegetables or you can add flavor by slipping certain herbs, spices, and juices or broths into the steaming liquid.

Add the following to the stockpot before inserting steamer sleeve, for great steamed-in flavor.

-Herbs such as bundles of Rosemary, Thyme, or Basil. Peeled garlic cloves, sliced onions or chopped fennel bulbs

-Fragrant oils: hot chili oil, sesame oil, and pungent flavored and herbed vinegars

-Seasoned salts and spices such as Curry or exotic spice blends

-Citrus slices, lemon, lime, and kumquat and other fruits and fruit juices

-Steam vegetables over beef, chicken, or vegetable broths in place of plain water

These may be added to the steaming water or to replace plain simmering water in the stockpot. Add these ingredients just before inserting the steamer sleeve to augment the flavor of your fresh vegetables while steaming.

Method: Add steaming liquid to pot, bring to a boil, and add flavorings, herbs, or spices if desired. Insert steamer sleeve, cover, and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to simmer and add the desired amount of fresh, washed vegetables. If you are using good quality, garden fresh vegetables there is no need to peel them.

Steam vegetables for 10-12 minutes or until fork tender.

If you are going to use a counter-top steamer, simply follow the directions and recipes included with your equipment when purchased.

Here is one recipe using utilizing a counter-top unit.

Place desired fresh vegetables in steamer bowl; add 2 cups water or other liquid of choice to the reservoir. Place cover on unit and steam for 15-20 minutes. (These units produce steam in 30 seconds)

Both types of steaming equipment are available in discount as well as specialty cookware and kitchen stores today.

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