How to Cook With Waterless Cookware

Waterless cookware set

Waterless cookware is designed to cook by steaming instead of boiling food. Boiling food causes the nutrients to come out of the food. Nutrients then go down the sink, instead of into you, when draining the water from food. Waterless cookware cooked food does not need drained since it is steamed. Steamed food retains the nutrients you need to be healthy. With waterless cookware food cooks evenly and also tastes fresher than food cooked by other methods. In addition, food made in waterless cookware retains color and texture.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Waterless cooking pan or pot Food to cook 1/4 cup water Stove

1. Choose the waterless pot you want to use. Most waterless cookware sets have different sized pots and pans. The size of the pot will depend on how much food you want to cook. You should fill the pot two-thirds of the way full. If you have more or less food than this measurement, choose another pot that will fit. This is important to allow proper cooking with the waterless method. The food should be rinsed first before being placed in the pot but do not cover the food with water in the cookware itself.

2. Add only 1/4 cup of water to the pot of food. This is not to boil the food. The water is added to the cookware to activate the steam. After putting in the water, cover the pot of food with the lid that was made for the specific pot you are using. Any other lid will not work because it will not be able to seal during cooking.

3. Set the heat to medium and open the valve. This is the highest heat that should be used with waterless cookware. When you hear the valve start to whistle, close it and reduce the heat to low. That should cause the lid and pot to create an airtight seal to keep steam inside. If you still see steam coming out between the pot and lid, turn the heat a little lower.

4. Keep the pot closed while cooking. Try not to peek during the cooking time. This will allow steam to escape and break the airtight seal between the pot and lid. It also will extend the cooking time. When the cooking time has finished, simply open the valve, allow steam to escape and remove the lid.

5. Allow food to set a few minutes to be sure all steam is released. The food is ready to serve. Your food will be well cooked in the steam and retain its nutritious value, unlike boiling, which leaches nutrients from the food.

Tips & Warnings

• There are sometimes waterless cookware demonstrations in major department stores or some companies that sell waterless cookware will demonstrate in the home. This will give you a chance to try before you buy. Some cookware companies sell stacking waterless cookware that allows you to cook an entire meal together at the same time.

• Step back and avoid having your face over the pot when taking off the lid to avoid steam burns. If using stackable waterless cookware, choose foods that require the same amount of cooking time

Resources

• Waterless Cookware Forum
• Waterless Cookware Demonstration Videos