Package for combined steam and microwave heating of food

A method of heating a food product in a package in a microwave oven, the method comprising:

• obtaining a first container having a first sidewall and a first bottom wall, the first sidewall and the first bottom wall cooperating to form a first interior space;
• obtaining a second container having a second sidewall, a second bottom wall, and a first support tube, each of the second sidewall and the first support tube extending from the second bottom wall, the second sidewall and the second bottom wall cooperating to form a second interior space, the second bottom wall having at least one vent opening, wherein the second container further comprises a coaxial flange at an upper end of the second sidewall;
• obtaining a third container having a third sidewall, a third bottom wall, and a second support tube, each of the third sidewall and the second support tube extending from the third bottom wall;
• positioning the second container in the first interior space so that the second interior space comprises a portion of the first interior space and the second bottom wall is spaced apart from the first bottom wall to form a first compartment below the second bottom wall and a second compartment above the second bottom wall;
• positioning the third container in the first interior space so that the third bottom wall is spaced apart from the second bottom wall, the positioning the third container comprising engaging the second support tube with the first support tube and engaging a lower marginal portion of the third sidewall with an upper marginal portion of the second sidewall so that the first support tube and the second sidewall support the third container, wherein the engaging the lower marginal portion of the third sidewall with the upper marginal portion of the second sidewall comprises engaging the coaxial flange of the second container with the lower marginal portion of the third sidewall so that the coaxial flange engages an interior surface of a portion of the third sidewall that extends downwardly from the third bottom wall toward the first bottom wall;
• placing a source of steam in the first compartment so that the source of steam is supported by the first bottom wall;
• placing a food product in the second compartment so that the food product is supported by the second bottom wall;
• and
• heating the package in a microwave oven so that steam is created in the first compartment and circulates to the second compartment through the at least one vent opening in the second bottom wall so that the food product is heated by the steam and microwave energy.