 Although I love my microwave I still like my fresh veg but since I've been having trouble with my balance and my grip it's made me wary of messing around with pans of boiling water until I discover this little item. A vegetable basket allows you to cook food that you would ordinarily boil and it makes it safer. It works like a colander in reverse. You put the food in the basket pasta, vegetables, whatever, anything you like. You put the basket in an ordinary pan, you cook it then you lift it out, drain it and serve. Then you wait till the water goes cold and you tip it down the sink.