Abstract: The preferred embodiment comprises an improved pan (20) (FIG. 1) that can also be used as a steaming utensil on top of an ordinary pot; the pan comprises a receptacle (30) that has a flat bottom (32) and a side wall (34) whose top edge has a chord-truncated circular shape and a flange (42). The area defined by the chord-truncated circular shape is made as large as desired without voiding access to the pot below and without increasing the predetermined radius of the receptacle. The above preferred embodiment can also have a multiplicity of holes (33) in the bottom (FIG. 9). The preferred embodiment is not restricted to an outer pot of given radius; it can be used on top of a variety of pots with radii within a determined range. The combination of the pan and the pot below behaves effectively as a double-compartment vessel. If the lid of the pot below is placed on top of the flange, the steam is substantially diverted toward the receptacle.