Steaming Vegetables

Vegetables are a staple for any diet…I’ve upped my intake and now steam my veggies in the microwave.  I take about 3 meals and 1 snack to school/work with me (per my nutritionist).  

From SouthbeachDiet.com:

On the Stovetop:

1. Add one or two inches of water to a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat.
2. Prepare your vegetables for cooking: After washing thoroughly, cut them into equal-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
3. Place your steaming basket (a specially designed tool that fits inside a pot and holds food just above the surface of the water) in the pot of water. Or use a bamboo steamer, which sits above steaming water
4. Add vegetables and cover.
5. Cook until vegetables reach the desired texture. In general, most vegetables require only one or two minutes of steaming, since steam is even hotter than boiling water. If you like your veggies tender, cook a little longer; if you prefer crunchy veggies, cook for a shorter period. Be careful not to overcook, or you’ll end up with mushy vegetables.
6. Carefully remove the lid (remember, the steam can burn your hands!) and take the vegetables out of the basket. Serve them immediately with a South Beach Diet–friendly sauce or seasoning, including lemon juice and any spice (that doesn’t contain added sugar) or with fresh chopped herbs, such as parsley or basil.

In the Microwave:

1. Prepare your vegetables for cooking: After washing thoroughly, cut vegetables into equal-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
2. If you have the plastic bags made especially for microwave steaming, follow the directions on the box; otherwise place vegetables in a large, microwave-safe bowl (a glass bowl, for example) and follow the rest of the steps below.
3. Add water to cover your vegetables — the water should be shallow in the bowl.
4. Cover the bowl with microwave-safe plastic wrap and fold back in one spot to allow steam to vent.
5. Microwave on high for four to eight minutes (depending on the thickness of the vegetables) or until your veggies reach the desired texture. Serve with a South Beach Diet–recommended sauce or seasoning.

March 20, 2010. Tags: blog, build muscle, burn fat, burnout, calories, clean eating, cravings, diary, Diet, eat clean, eat clean diet, Exercise, fat, fat burning, fat loss, fatloss, fitness, fitness plan, food, food diary, lose fat, lose weight, low carb, metabolism, motivation, muscle, muscle building, nutrition, Oxygen, protein, recipe, Recipes, routine, running, skinny, snacks, south beach, south beach diet, speed up, steam, steaming, tips, tone up, Tuna, vegetables, weight, Weight Loss Tips, weight routine, weight training, weight-loss, weightloss, weights, whole foods, Women's Health, work out. Diet, Weight Loss Tips. 2 comments.