Electric steamers are one of the most versatile tools in the kitchen. Electric steamers, in some stores, might also be known as rice cooker/food steamer. Under either name, steaming your vegetables, as well as your rice is a healthy way to prepare a flavorful meal.

Cooking vegetables: Most times, when cooking vegetables on the stove top, you will end up with mushy, pale green vegetables and water that carries more nutrition than the cooked vegetable itself. What takes place when cooking vegetables on the stove is the vitamins and minerals that the vegetable is known for will get swallowed by the water. When cooking vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, and asparagus on the stove top, we tend to cook until tender and pale. Actually, when using that method of cooking, the left over water in the pot ends up with more nutrition and better color. Steaming vegetables prevents that from happening. When steaming vegetables in an electric steamer, the water is evaporated through the valve at the top leaving you with beautiful and tender vegetables.

Cooking rice: Cooking rice is a hard skill to master. Most people get impatient when waiting for rice to be completely tender when cooking on the stove top. Not to mention, the chance of scorching the bottom of the pot causing the rice to develop a burnt taste. When steaming rice in an electric steamer, the rice is cooked to perfection by the use of a built in timer. Steam from the boiling water escapes through the valve producing fluffy, tender rice.

It is entirely possible to cook an entire meal in an electric steamer. Cooking a meal in a steamer is easy to do because you effortlessly throw in all of the ingredients and let it cook on its own.

Cooking broccoli and rice: Measure 1 cup of rice for every two people being served. Add equal amounts of water for every cup of rice used. Add 1 cup of frozen broccoli and a cube of chicken bouillon. Allow to cook until rice is tender and fluffy. Add choice of cheese, stir well and serve.

Cooking chicken and rice: Measure 1 cup of rice for each person being served. Add equal amounts of water for every cup of rice used. Add 1 cup of pre-cooked, chopped chicken. Cook until rice is fluffy and tender. Stir well and serve.

Cooking stir-fry vegetables: Who said that stir fry had to be done in a wok? Add to the steamer your choice of fresh of frozen vegetables to stir fry. While vegetables are steaming in the electric steamer along with soy sauce or teryaki sauce, cook stir fry meat in a skillet on the stove. When vegetables are steamed to perfection, toss them in with the meat.

If you purchase a steamer that is large enough, it may come with a basket to keep the rice and vegetables separate. Therefore, creating the opportunity to cook one than one thing at a time. Obviously, an electric steamer serves many practical and healthy uses. The more you use the steamer, the more uses you will find for it. Even though a steamer may not be a popular kitchen appliance, it gives you a way to prepare healthy meals for you and your family.