What do you put on your veggies to steam?

I want to start steaming some veggies but don't know what to season them with.  Ideas?

What do you like on your vegetables?  Mrs. Dash, salt, pepper, butter; what do you have?  There's no Magic Vegetable steaming ingredient here.

Well, I've never steamed veggies before (kind of the reason I'm asking) and I'm not in the kitchen at the restaurants when I order them there.  So, bottom line - I don't know what I like on my veggies which is why I'm asking the question here.

i dont put anythign on mine. i guess i like their flavor plain. just try some diferent things and you'll find what you like.

Nothing, I steam them plain.

I put a dash of hot pepper oil on greens after they are cooked

Broccoli plain

Cauliflower tastes good with lentil goo, otherwise plain

Green beans plain or with some slivered almonds

Brussels sprouts plain or steamed with an apple

Carrots/parsnips plain

I love them naked.  I season my veggies with veggies.

I wouldn't cry if someone added garlic and salt to 'em, though.  but I prefer them plain.

I usually just use a tiny bit of salt and freshly ground pepper. As a special treat I will sprinkle a very small amount freshly shredded parmesan cheese (very, very light) to broccoli or brussel sprouts.

plain. sauteed veggies are terrific.

most people i know eat steamed plain or buttered with salt and pepper.  i have had broccolli with cheese before but that defeats the steaming purpose.

Garlic salt. Because I love garlic and I love salt. Also, sometimes a little butter. I just feel like salt enhances the taste of veggies, but I'll also just eat them plain.

Bacon Salt! LOL jk. Never tried that stuff.

Sea Salt and fresh black pepper and cumin.

I steam my veggies plain then add (depending on the vegetable) spices such as:

• garlic & powder butter
• cajun powder
• onion
• soy sauce
• mrs dash
• ground pepper
  

I like to squeeze fresh lemon juice over anything green

And add cinnamon to anything orange.

Or toss lightly with a little oil and black pepper.

it depends on what i feel like eating... i love plain steamed veggies, but i like to mix things up with...

1. tabasco sauce with fresh salsa

2. basil with balsamic vineager and garlic salt

3. soy sauce with chilli paste and a little peanut sauce

mmm... now im hungry.

Salt and pepper.  Maybe some margor some lemon juice, but usually just s & p.

Original Post by 11122212:

Well, I've never steamed veggies before (kind of the reason I'm asking) and I'm not in the kitchen at the restaurants when I order them there.  So, bottom line - I don't know what I like on my veggies which is why I'm asking the question here.

 Usually nothing is added directly on them during the steaming process, they're plain. Although cooks put salt in the water which helps it boil faster and at a higher heat, I do that at home too, it also flavors the vegtables very lightly.  Most seasoning (if any) is once they are on your plate. Try adding a little margarine - A dry herb mix or Mrs. Dash is good too but you have to be careful not to over-season, pinch and sprinkle with your finders instead of shaking directly from the container.  

Now you've got me thinking....what could you add to a steamer that would  flavor the vegetables?

The first thing that comes to mind is smoke.  Barbecue is done with smoke, but sometimes a pan of water is placed inside the barbecue to control the humidity.  If you could combine this - put smoke in the water - you could flavor vegetables in a steamer.  If I were to try it I'd add a strong, volatile flavor to the steamer water.  Something like vanilla extract, fruit essence, mint oil or Grand Marnier would maybe be strong enough to flavor steamed vegetables.

There's no guarantee that the results of this would taste good, though....

One other thought.  Sticky rice tastes really good if you steam it inside a banana or lotus leaf wrap.  The leaf infuses the rice with a smoky flavor.  I've never cooked it myself, but I've eaten it at dim sum restaurants.  I'd guess that the rice is precooked, molded around a filling, wrapped up in the leaf, and then placed in the steamer.

I mainly add salt or garlic powder if I do use seasonings. You could also use fresh garlic, black pepper, a dash or hot sauce, or a squeeze of lemon juice.