Ingredient
Immersion (IM)
or steamed
in basket (ST)
Preparation Tips
Apples ST
wedges
Use a firm texture apple variety such
as Braeburn. Bramley variety is not
recommended as it froths during
cooking. Peel apples & cut into 2.5 cm
thick wedges
Asparagus
ST
whole
(thin stems 8-10
mm diameter)
Choose fresh, tender stems. Trim to 17
cm lengths to fit steaming basket
ST
whole (thick
stems 12-15
mm diameter)
Choose fresh, tender stems. Trim to 17
cm lengths to fit steaming basket
Aubergines
ST
whole
Choose small aubergines that fit inside
steaming basket
ST
pieces Cut into 2.5 cm pieces
Beettroot IM
whole (small or
medium size)
Trim off all but 2.5 cm of stalk and root.
Wash without breaking the skin. Cook
using 1 litre of water. Peel skin after
cooking. Serve hot or cold
Broccoli
ST
florets Cut into small florets of even size
Brussels Sprouts
ST
whole
Adjust cooking time according to size
of brussels sprouts.
Butternut Squash
ST
pieces Cut into 2.5 cm pieces
Cabbage
(green)
ST or IM
shredded
Cook sliced cabbage either by steaming
in the basket or immersion method
using 200 ml water. Use green
cabbage, Savoy cabbage and spring
greens. For pointed (Sweetheart)
cabbage reduce cooking time by about
1 minute
Cabbage (red) ST or IM
shredded
Cook sliced cabbage either by steaming
in the basket or immersion method
using 200 ml water.
Carrots
ST
small whole
Choose similar size carrots so that
they all cook to the same time, such as
Chantenay variety
ST
slices Cut into 1 cm slices
Caulflower
ST
florets Cut into small florets of even size
Ingredient
Immersion (IM)
or steamed
in basket (ST)
Preparation Tips
Celery
ST
slices Cut into 5 cm slices
Courgettes
ST
whole
Choose courgettes that fit inside the
steam basket
ST
pieces Cut into 2.5 cm slices
Green beans
ST
whole
For fine green beans reduce cooking
time by 1 minute
Green lentils IM
washed
Rinse well before cooking.Cook 200 g
green lentils with 400 ml cold water.
Cook 300 g green lentils with 550 ml
cold water
Cook 400 g green lentils with 650 ml
cold water
Cook 500 g green lentils with 750 ml
cold water
Leeks
ST
slices Cut into 5 cm slices
Mushrooms
ST
whole Cut in half or quarters if large
Parsnips
ST
florets Cut into 2.5 cm pieces
Peas (frozen)
ST
Cook from frozen. Place in steaming basket
Pears ST
whole
Peel pears and trim bases so they stand
upright in the steaming basket. Choose
firm, ripe pears such as Comice variety
Peppers (any colour)
ST
whole Trim off stalk and deseed peppers
Potatoes (new) ST
whole
The cooking time will vary depending
on the variety and size of the potatoes
Potatoes (old) ST
pieces
Peel potatoes and cut into pieces
approximately 40 g. The cooking time
will vary depending on the variety of
potatoes. The larger the size of the
potato pieces the longer cooking time
Runner beans
ST
sliced String and slice the beans
Spinash
ST or IM
washed
Cook in steaming basket or by
immersion method with 100 ml water
Sweede
ST
pieces Cut into 2.5 cm cubes
Sweet potatoes
ST
whole Wash and cook unpeeled
ST
pieces Cut into 2.5 cm pieces
Turnips
ST
pieces Cut into 2.5 cm cubes
COOK4ME + FRUIT & VEGETABLES COOKING GUIDE
The cooking times are approximate and may need adjustment depending on personal taste.