I've always been intrigued by steaming foods - the whole "locks in the nutrients thing" - but I was scared. Of steaming. I know how weird that makes me.

But then Sam was born. I thought, "Hmm... can I be one of those moms that makes her own baby food?" Then I fell asleep before I answered myself because I'm a mom. And moms are always tired. But then Sam got old enough where he was ready for solids, and I had to make a decision super fast. So I hopped on Amazon and ordered a bamboo steamer, having no idea how to use it.

Perhaps you are in the same boat. Well, I'm here to tell you that steaming can be your friend. She's not scary at all. In fact, she's really sweet and kind of shy and likes babies. Make friends with steaming.

Here are the basics. A bamboo steamer is made of... ahem, bamboo. Water-resistant, sturdy, a great material for cutting boards, too. Most steamers are made of two trays and a lid.

This is one of the trays. You put food on this part. 

So fill one or both trays with food, cut evenly and spread out just a smidge for even cooking. You can use different foods in the same or different trays. There really aren't rules on what foods work. I've even heard of people putting ginger and garlic on the bottom tray and fish or vegetables on the top so that the ginger seeps into the food as it cooks.

Most steamers are designed to be used with woks, but if you don't have a wok, a large skillet with a sloped bottom will work, too. Fill the wok or skillet with just enough water to come about 1/2-inch up the sides of the steamer when it's placed inside. That's where the sloped bottom matters; you need water beneath the steamer to actually generate the steam. If the steamer just sits on the bottom of a flat-bottomed skillet, you don't have enough space for the water. And I've said "bottom" a lot. My bad.

So turn the heat to high, bring that water to a boil, and allow the steam to do its job. Most food will be ready in 10-15 minutes. Once a fork pierces the food without any resistance, you're good. See? That's not so hard, is it?

I use my steamer every day or two to make sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, and squash for Sam. He digs on some sweet potatoes. Do you? Then head over to Seek the Triad to get my recipe/method for tasty, buttery sweet potatoes. Seriously. So good.