Ok - this is especially for my non-Swiss readers who are either unfamiliar with steaming or who are using countertop or stove top steamers.
Most professional kitchens all over the world are equipped with a built in steamer. This is for several different reasons. Although above all because veggies just taste better, stay crisper and are more nutritious than veggies cooked in boiling water or (god forbid) in the microwave :)
In general, here in Switzerland nearly no one who remodels an old kitchen or designs a new one would think about installing a microwave. And as crockpots are little known, many do opt for a steamer.
Now - granted - theses babies are just as expensive as your oven. But they do allow you to cook veggies, rice, meat, fish even boil eggs, defrost meat and veggies and not to mention warm up food without drying it out. One thing a steamer can't do is defrost bread.
Ours also allows me to prepare meals in advance and program an "end time" so that food is ready when we get home.
Another reason that it is so popular here in Switzerland is that most people eat primarily seasonal foods and have huge rich gardens. I can steam and freeze all the veggies my parents-in-law give me and have vitamin rich food all year round. Another use is for making homemade baby food - just steam up your fruits or veggies, puree them and feed your babies additive free baby food.
I have been trying to read up on their availability in the States and have seen that there are a few out there but will cost you between $500 - $2000. I know this seems like a lot but if you like to cook and to eat simple and nutritious meals, you'll hardly be able to remember how you survived without one.
This has been pretty vague I guess - but if you have questions just keep reading this blog for further uses!
Happy steaming -
