Am I getting unfair stick for using Boil in a bag vegetables?

ArmyofHarmony

ArmyofHarmony

ArmyofHarmony

Associate
Joined
15 Feb 2006
Posts
1,872
Location
hell
So I've been buying boil in a bag mixed veg... mainly because it's so simple, just pierce the bag, shove it in the microwave and a few minutes later you have reasonably good veg.

I mentioned this to some work mates, and all of a sudden i'm getting a lot of stick for it... I'm sure someone once told me that boil in a bag keeps the nutrients in too.

What the hell is wrong with boil in a bag?

Uncle Bens rice packets are also good, damn simple and easy... just a little costly compared to doing it yourself
 
how is it boil in the bag but microwaved? :confused:


anyways its upto you, its easy to do and possible more cost effective than buying the lot seperate
 
tbh you can boil loads of veg in the microwave without buying stuff ready baged
I always do broc in the microwave, in bowl, clingfilm over top, 30s later its hot and crunchy still! (don't like it mushy)
 
I would've agreed with you but you said microwaved. I don't cook much but, when I do cook, I consider a microwave to be a reheating device and not a cooking device.

That said; If it tastes good enough for you then stuff everyone else. :p
 
I'd say it's healthier as surely if you boil them in water then pour the water away, the nutrients leave with the water?
 
Last edited:
KASM said:
I'd say it's healthier as surely if you boil them in water then pour the water away the nutrients leave with the water?
Click to expand...

As long as the water's boiling before you put the veg in (i.e. don't heat the water and the veg at the same time) the nutrients will be locked into the veg and won't be poured out.
 
Well, boiling them in water means the nutrients leave in the water.. microwaving them "zaps" nutrients.. only thing left to do is steam them somehow?!
 
If they're "boil-in-a-bag" then arent you doing them on the hob? In which case you may as well buy cheaper/larger packs of veg and just boil them on the hob. That's just as easy.

I thought you could get microwave bags that steam the veg; in which case as they're being steamed they're actually quite good at keeping the goodness in.

The best way is to buy veg and steam them properly. Also, i was under the impresion that some frozen veg can actually hold more of the nutrients in than 'fresh' veg -- as the frozen veg is frozen straight away.
 
Also the Uncle Ben's things.. you must be mad to use them! The only use for them is at work where you only have a microwave. How hard is it to grab half a cup of rice and 1 cup of water. Wang it on the hob at full pelt until it comes to the boil, turn right down, stir once, cover and walk away for 10-15mins. It's so easy! :confused:
 
You're probably better off steaming veg if you have the facility, those metal ones that are like an extra level on top of a pan work well. Only veg I ever microwave is frozen peas, they come out great.

Root veg: Boil / Roast
Most other veg: Steam

imho
 
uchuff said:
You're probably better off steaming veg if you have the facility, those metal ones that are like an extra level on top of a pan work well. Only veg I ever microwave is frozen peas, they come out great.

Root veg: Boil / Roast
Most other veg: Steam

imho
Click to expand...

It depends entirely on the vegetable - boiling carrots is awful, I've never understood how anyone eats them. Some veg's flavour molecules are water soluble (carrots and asparagus for example) and others are oil soluble (e.g. broccoli).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom