Instructions

1. Rinse the vegetable of your choice in cool water and slice it into desired size of pieces. Keep in mind that smaller pieces will take less time to cook.

2. Fill a medium pot roughly 1/3 full of water and set it on high heat until it boils rapidly. Then, turn the heat to low.

3. Place the vegetables in the steamer basket and lower it into the pot. The water should not cover the vegetables, but it is fine if it touches them.

4. Place a fitted lid tightly over the pot to capture the steam inside. Research cooking times for whatever you are steaming in order to make sure you do not have to keep lifting the lid and checking. This will allow too much of the steam to escape and will significantly lengthen the cooking time. Properly steamed vegetables should still have a firm texture.

5. Lift the steamer basket out with a potholder, as it will be hot. Let the vegetables stand in the steamer itself in the sink or a bowl to let excess water drain out. Once the vegetables are properly drained, they are ready to serve.