Recipes for Cooking Vegetables, Potatoes & Rice

Here is a handy, quick reference chart to help you cook your carbs and vegetables like an expert

Vegetables 125g/5oz. 250g/10oz 500g/1¼lbs Water/125g Stand time
Broccoli florets 4 min 6 min 9 min 1 tbsp 2 min
Brussels sprouts 3 min 4½ min 7 min 2 tbsp 3 min
Cabbage shredded 6½ min 9¾ min 14 min 6 tbsp 4 min
Carrots, sliced 4 min 6 min 9 min 2 tbsp 5 min
Courgettes, sliced 3 min 4½ min 6½ min Knob of butter 6 min
Turnip cubed 4 Min 6 Min 9 Min 1 tbsp 7 min
Spinach 1½ min 2¼ min 3½ min None 8 min
Leeks, chopped 3 min 4 min 6 min Knob of butter  
Parsnips 3½ min 5½ min 8¼ min 1 tbsp 10 min
Cauliflower florets 4 min 6 min 9 min 2 tbsp 11 min
Frozen cauliflower florets 3½ min 5½ min 8¼ min None 12 min
Frozen corn-on-the cob 1 ear - 4 min 2 ears - 6 min 3 ears - 9 min None 13 min
Frozen green beans 5 min 7 min 10½ min None 14 min
Frozen peas 4 min 6 min 9 min None 15 min
Frozen sweetcorn 1½ min 2¼ min 3 min None 16 min

Standing time is essential


Potatoes 1 2 4 Water Stand time
Small 3 Min 4 Min 6 Min None 3 Min
Medium 3½ min 5 Min 8 Min None 4 Min
Large 4 Min 6 Min 10 Min None 5 Min

Choose evenly sized potatoes, pierce with a fork and space evenly in the dish.

A cover is essential for cooking and standing as it traps steam and softens the skin.


Rice Qty Salt Boiling Water Time at High Stand Time
Long grain rice 8 oz 1 tsp 1 pint 9 min 5 Min
Brown rice 8 oz 1tsp 1 pint 10 min 5 Min
Quick cook rice 8 oz 1 tsp 1 pint 7 min 3 Min

Cooking times are from when water returns to the boil


Pasta Qty Salt Boiling Water Time at High Stand Time
Spegetti 75g/2½ oz 1 tbsp 2 parts to one 10 - 12 mins 5 Min
Dried Pasta 75g/2½ oz 1 tbsp 2 parts to one 10 - 12 mins 5 Min
Fresh Pasta 75g/2½ oz 1 tbsp 2 parts to one 4 - 5 mins 3 Min
Noodles 75g/2½ oz 1 tbsp 2 parts to one 3 - 5 mins 3 Min

Don't worry about the salt as it is not absorbed by the pasta.  It roughens the surface for better adhesion of the sauce.  Stir well after water addition and before stand time