At the risk of sounding like an infomercial...has anyone tried these? I have, and I love 'em. For anyone who hasn't seen them, they are called Ziploc Zip 'n Steam bags. You can steam a lot of foods in them, even shrimp and chicken breasts. You cook foods in the microwave in them, and lemme tell you, they ROCK! I cook my chicken in them sometimes, and they come out really tender, not all rubbery. I've made corn in the cob in them, potatoes, carrots, broccoli, shrimp, etc. They have recipe ideas in them. I cooked fish once, but it came out looking like something my dog upchucked overall, I love 'em. Just thought I'd share.
Yep, they're easy for sure. Definitely a big bonus.
Three downfalls as I see it:
1) Far more expensive than stove-top steaming;
2) Disposable (maybe I'm just a big nerd but I try to stay away from one-time-use things)
3) Microwave cooking leaches more of the nutrients from your food than steaming over water on the stove.
But if none of those are concerns to you than yeah, they're awesome
"Ziploc® Brand Zip ’n Steam™ Bags take steaming one step further by cooking food quickly every time, keeping nutrients in the bag and helping vegetables retain their flavor"
No, you're not a nerd at all I have 3 kids, so "fast" and "easy" are 2 main words in my vocabulary, especially on nights where 1 kid and 1 hubby has a game and another kid has Boy Scouts all scheduled at the same time.
"Ziploc® Brand Zip ’n Steam™ Bags take steaming one step further by cooking food quickly every time, keeping nutrients in the bag and helping vegetables retain their flavor"
Okay, I looked into it, looks like as long as the vegetables aren't immersed in water they seem to hold their nutrients okay when microwaved. But no one seems to agree on anything regarding the matter so that's that.
What about microwaving vegetables without the bag? Like, putting them on a plate, wrapped in a damp paper towel? Do the bags offer any significant advantage over that method (how I usually do veggies if I'm m'oing them)? Just honestly curious, never used the bags before.
Hey- I want to try these bags!
I do use a lot of regular zip lock bags (I do reuse them).
When I get a bag of baby carrots, bag of pretzels, or can of almonds, I put them in ziplock bags of 1 serving each. I've found that if I put the carrots in baggies then I will take them with me and eat them...and if I leave them in the big bag they come in, they just sit there and I don't eat them. Also, pretzels or almonds are great snack for me, but if I open a bag I can easily eat 4-5 servings at a time which is WAY too many calories. If I take a baggie of 1 serving, I know how much I will eat and how many calories I am getting. This REALLY helps!
I myself microwave everything that I can cause as frog said...I need quick too - when you are trying to get out of the house with one kid to a basketball game and the other to dance class.
I buy frozen veggie and just put them in a bowl with some wax paper or plastic wrap over top and they seem to cook just fine, but I very rarely buy fresh due to the convience and cost that frozen ones save me.
I haven't tried Ziploc - but have just purchased my second box of the Glad Microwave Steamer Bags. I don't use gimmicks often, but these are wonderful. No liquid necessary, just season, seal and zap for 4 minutes. I've done asparagus, brocolli and green beans and the results are wonderful - never overcooked, color maintained. Also I have reused the bags at least once because they are a little pricey - but cheaper than inedible brocolli!
We try to recycle a lot, so I can't bring myself to buy these. it just seems environmentally wasteful to get a one-use item when there is a multi-use item that works just as well - a stainless steal steamer basket, that fits into various size of potsis about $2 and lasts your lifetime and your children's lifetime. Bring a small amount of water to a boil and there you go! I steam all kinds of things, but especially veggies and fish.
I also like that I can very easily poke a piece with a fork to see if/when it's done.
I question the saftey of this, given that most plastics leach chemicals when they get hot. Perhaps ziplock has found a way around this, but I'm still suspicous.
I've done my research:
"Saran™ and Ziploc® Brand products are 100% dioxin free. You also should be aware that dioxins can be formed only when chlorine is combined with extremely high temperatures, such as 1,500°F, which even the most powerful consumer microwave ovens are unable to produce.
Our Saran™ and Ziploc® Brand products can be used with confidence when label directions are followed. All Saran™ Wraps, Ziploc® Brand Containers and microwaveable Ziploc® Brand bags meet the safety requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for temperatures associated with defrosting and reheating food in microwave ovens, as well as room, refrigerator, and freezer temperatures.
Like all Ziploc® Brand products, Zip ’n Steam™ bags are dioxin free. Additionally, they are specially designed for microwave use and meet the safety requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for temperatures associated with cooking food in the microwave when label directions are followed."
I know some people don't understand why I wouldn't just steam them in a traditional steamer. I know how to use one. I have 3 kids, and we're always, always on the go during sports seasons, and for the sake of my sanity (3 kids, 2 jobs-both mine-, a DH that also plays sports, so I cart 3 kids around by myself, and some college classes) sometimes convenience trumps all.
no - im a little wary! i dont micro plastics so i dont know why id start with veggies in plastic. i also dont think steaming is that hard by itself so the time saving aspect inst huge for me.
I have these, and have never used them, but now that I know I can cook chicken in them that will save me a lot of worry over what's for dinner! My husband works seconds so I only cook for me! Do you put the chicken and the veggies in the same bag? Can't wait for dinner! I am going to try them tonight!
Ziploc Zip 'n Steam
overall, I love 'em. Just thought I'd share. 
