Will I use a steamer?

[CuppaTeaJanice]

DS is due to start on solids in a few weeks time. I've heard that steamed vegetables retain more nutrients than boiled etc., so was thinking of buying a steamer.

I've seen a nice one in Sainsburys for £19.99. Would it be a useful thing to buy, or is it likely to end up in the back of the cupboard with the sandwich toaster, teasmaid, chocolate fountain etc.?

Back of the cupboard. They take aaaaages to cook.

Unless you all want to eat steamed veg, and don't have one that goes over a pan (fab as you can boil potatoes in the bottom and do veg on the top, saving gas)then don't worry

I love my steamer! I use it all the time... I steam veg, chicken, fish and even my christmas pud in it!

I actually find it less hassle and mess to use than boiling veg on the hob

Get one where the baskets stack inside each other so that it takes up less room in storage.

I use a bamboo steamer and use it a lot, generally. It just goes on top of a pan of water and has two tiers, very simple. Costs about a tenner I think. Had it a very long time.

I tend to put spuds/rice in the water underneath and the other veg in the steamer on top.

if you are only doing veg for DC whilst weaning, get one of those ones that go into the pan [http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/28cm-STAINLESS-SAUCEPAN-FOOD-STEAMER-BASKET-STEAMLRG_W0QQitemZ260245966533QQc mdZViewItem?hash=item260245966533&trkparms=72%3A1296|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&trksid=p3286 .c0.m14].

9.99 in Tesco - don't spend anymore

They are fab and you should use it for all of you not just dc

mdZViewItem?hash=item260245966533&trkparms=72%3A1296|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&trksid=p3286 .c0.m14

You could get one which goes in or on top of a saucepan for far less than £20 - I would rec that. And far less potential for back of cupboardness.

What you should get if you don't have one already is a hand blender - now they are genius and £15 well spent.

I used this day in day out for months. Was well worth the money, imo

Thanks guys - so in general you recommend a basic colander-style on-top-of-the-pan jobby, rather than an electric standalone gadget?

Thanks McFly - I've got a handblender (lots of fun!)

I got a beaba steamer/blender. Expensive but worth every penny. Use it almost every day, cooks anything in a few minutes. Great for steaming fruit/veg stick for snacks or whole meals. So perfect for purees or blw. Great for defrosting food too. Saved me many times its value in jars of baby food I can tell you.

Ds1 (4 years) still loves fruit pots (basically thick fruit puree), eats it like youghurt or puts it on his cereal and its ideal for doing that.

I bought that model from Sainsbury's - it's great for pre-preparing three types of veg/fruit at a time then freezing them. DH and I also use it all the time for veg for ourselves (plus you also get a rice cooking container. It's especially helpful for prepping veg for sunday dinners. Go for it!