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Steaming/Cooking Options

Steamers/Multi-Cookers – these layered or stacking pots allow you to cook many types of foods as well as cooking several foods at once. You can also purchase what some stores call a pasta pot. This is a large pot with a colander like basket inside. Pasta is placed in the colander portion and the water is brought over the noodles to boil. This makes draining the noodles easy. For steaming other foods such as fruits and vegetables, the food is placed in the colander, and the lid is placed on top. However the water level is below the food, so when the water boils, the food is steamed. Steamer pots come in all types of sizes, but the most useful for multi-tasking is 8, 10 or 12 quart.

Collapsible Steamer Basket – this can fit into various size pots to allow versatility. The stand on the basket must be high enough so that the food does not boil in the water but can sit above the boiling water to steam. These usually come in 7” and 11” inch sizes.

Glass or Pyrex Baking Dishes – these come in many shapes, sizes and sets. These are versatile for cooking and reheating as they can be used in the microwave and the oven when steaming or baking. Especially useful for cooking proteins such as chicken and fish.

Microwave Cover – this sheet is placed over bowl for reheating foods in the microwave. Especially handy for heating single servings of oatmeal, rice cereal, and purees. There is less waste as covers are re-useable and can be washed in the dishwasher. This is a great alternative to plastic wrap, which may be dangerous for microwave use due to the potential for chemical breakdown and melting in foods.