boiling in water vs steaming?

[3babies]

I was just reading a recipe in the newspaper and they said to boil the potato in water. I have always used my black and decker steamer to cook veggies. What difference if any does the method make??

[amber]

The only difference I can think of is that you retain more vitamins when they are steamed vs boiled. Also, (except for potatoes obviously) vegetables retain their color better when steamed.

[urmaniac13]

I agree with Amber. Another thing is the vegetables tend to retain their texture better when steamed. Potatoes also, when I make gnocchi, I found the potatoes work better when they are steamed, as they don't absorb as much water and stay intact, instead of getting too runny...which means need of less flour.

[kyles]

You know, I never thought of steaming potatoes to make gnocchi, that's a very smart idea!!!

I am planning to make gnocchi at the weekend!

[3babies]

Thanks so much...I always worried that vitamins would be lost by boiling the vegetables. I have another recipe for betty crocker potato salad that calls for 1 inch of salted water to steam the potato. It is yum. But other than that recipe I have steamed everything in my black and decker...eggs also... I love getting ideas from all you folk.I am a self taught cook and am always finding out different "stuff". Am still learning to use this forum. I get confused easily with the computer. I work at a college and have a few hours to fool around and amuse myself with it. Might as well get some cooking lessons online.

[LesleyP]

yes I allways try to boil my vegetables. They defintely taste better and you do not loose the vitamins.

[jennyema]

Water soluable vitamins like Vitamin C and others are lost when you boil vegetables. They dissolve into the cooking water. Some dissolves when steaming, too, but not as much.

I almost always boil my potatoes, but not for gnocchi.