Steamed carrots are an easy and quick side dish to make and go well with almost any meal. Steaming is one of the healthiest ways to cook vegetables because it retains the nutrients in them, along with their color, taste and texture. You can steam carrots in a steamer or skillet, in the microwave, or in a skillet (if you have to). These three methods will be described below. Please read further.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Steaming in a Steamer Basket
Step 1. Boil water in a regular saucepan or saucepan with a handle
You don't need to fill the pan with water, an inch or two (2.5 – 5 cm) of water is enough to generate steam.
Step 2. Prepare the carrots
To serve four servings, you will need about 680 g of carrots. Wash the carrots thoroughly in cold water to remove any remaining dirt or pesticides. Cut the carrot stems with a small knife, then peel them using a vegetable peeler. You can then dice the carrots any way you like: you can leave them whole, slice or dice, or circle.
Step 3. Place the carrots in the steaming basket
If you don't have a steamer basket, a colander or pot with holes that are just the right size to fit in the pot will work as well.
Step 4. Put the steamer basket over the boiling water
Make sure water no reach the bottom of the steamer. If the carrots are submerged in water, the carrots will be boiled, not steamed.
Step 5. Cover the pot
Use a lid to cover the pot, but don't cover it completely. Leave a small gap on one side for ventilation so steam can escape.
Step 6. Steam the carrots until soft
The time it takes is between 5 - 10 minutes, depending on the size of the carrot pieces.
- You can check the carrots for doneness by sticking a fork. If the fork slides in easily (already soft), the carrots are cooked.
- While the above cooking times are the recommended times, you can steam the carrots as long or as short as you like, depending on whether you like the carrots very soft or still crunchy.
Step 7. Drain the carrots through a sieve or pot with holes
Step 8. Transfer to a serving plate
Step 9. Add flavorings or seasonings
While the carrots are still hot, you can mix the spices according to your taste. Steamed carrots are best sprinkled with a teaspoon of melted butter, or quickly sautéed with a little olive oil, garlic and a squeeze of lemon juice. Don't forget to also add salt and pepper.
Method 2 of 3: Steaming in the Microwave
Step 1. Prepare the carrots
To serve four servings, you will need about 680 g of carrots. Wash the carrots thoroughly in cold water to remove any remaining dirt or pesticides. Cut the carrot stems with a small knife, then peel them using a vegetable peeler. You can then dice the carrots any way you like: you can leave them whole, slice or dice, or circle.
Step 2. Place the carrots in a microwave-safe bowl. Add a tablespoon of water to the carrots, then cover the bowl with microwave-safe plastic wrap.
Step 3. Cook the carrots in the microwave on high heat
Cook carrots in the microwave until soft. The time required is between 4 to 6 minutes. You can check the carrots with a fork to see if they are done.
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If the carrots take a little more time after removing them, put them back in the microwave and cook at one minute intervals until they are cooked through.
Steam Carrots Step 12Bullet1 -
Be careful when rewinding the plastic wrap, as it is hot!
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Step 4. Serve the carrots
While the carrots are still in the microwave-safe bowl, add the seasonings or seasonings of your choice. A teaspoon of melted butter and a pinch of salt and pepper is always a good choice. Transfer the carrots to a serving plate and serve immediately.
Method 3 of 3: Steaming in the Frying Pan
Step 1. Wash and peel the carrots, and remove the stems
Cut carrots into circles, slices, or bite-sized cubes.
Step 2. Add about 2.5 cm of water to a large skillet
Add salt to the water and bring to a boil.
Step 3. Put the carrots in the pan
Step 4. Cover the pan and let it heat until the water evaporates and the carrots are cooked
You can add more water to the pot if necessary.
- Note that carrots cooked in this way are not steamed in the truest sense, as carrots are cooked in water.
- But it's a good alternative to steaming if you don't have a steaming pot or microwave, and the results aren't much different.
Step 5. Drain the excess water from the pan
Step 6. Then add the seasonings to the pan, such as butter, seasonings (such as parsley or nutmeg) and salt and pepper
Toss the carrots to coat the spices, then transfer to a serving plate and serve immediately.
