Looking for fun things to do with vegetables

silentviolet

Lately I find that eating healthy is really boring to me so I started making a list of fun, easy, and healthy recipes to spice things up. Everything is really simple; there is no 'put it in the over for 30 minutes' or weird ingredients. My problem is that I can't think of anything interesting to do with vegetables besides the regular ranch and veggies. Everything I think of is fruit related. Anyone have any cool ideas?

joankpoirier

Sorry all I could do is giggle.. that is a loaded question... hmmm you can stick them in your ears..
OK I'm done very tired and gettn silly

fatforthewin

lol. i don't have any creative uses for vegetables. i would be interested if there IS anything fun to do with vegetables too!

toysbigkid

sorry I don't have any either but I was hoping to get some ideas myself. Bored of the foods I am eating.

meliad

I used a portabella mushroom as a pizza crust- with a little sauce and cheese on top. It was really good.

joankpoirier

to be completely honest I do not slow down enough to think about.. I grab my shakeology and keep going

BundyAnne

I recently started doing roasted vegetables using those vegetables that I have avoided. I have never used eggplant before so I tried it. Cut up into cubes and toss into a large baking pan with other vegetables like zucchini, squash, carrot, pumpkin, mushrooms, capsicum, tomato just to name a few. Spray with olive oil and bake until all veggies are cooked. Stir partway through cooking to help with the cooking. I also cover it with baking paper at this point to stop the veggies burning. I also lined the pan with baking paper to help with the clean-up.

SinkTheBismarck

I think I've watched way too much porn, because this thread totally made me think of something else :laugh:

impyimpyaj

Roast them. Saute them. Pulverize them into a smoothie.

Tonight I sliced parsnips and tossed them with olive oil, cinnamon, ginger, garlic, and a little salt, tossed in some diced onions, and roasted them until they were all carmelized and nommy. Super good.

Kandygirl

I think I've watched way too much porn, because this thread totally made me think of something else :laugh:

^^^ im right there with you

cheshirequeen

2 things i do. i make a portabella mushroom sandwich. those are always great. i also have like a side, like my vegan mac n cheese, and mix them together. stir fry is good. vegan fettucine alfredo i do as well, and mix some stuff, usually like broccoli and mushrooms for me, into it

heidikat72

i tend to do a lot of basic roasting or sauteeing. when eating raw - try swapping out the ranch for some hummus - lots of different flavors to choose from - better fats and lots of protein. just planned my lunch for tomorrow - a wheat flatbread wrap with lime jalapeno hummus, carrots, tomato, radishes and lettuce - lots of different flavors and textures going on to keep it interesting,. i also do a slaw of sorts using nappa cabbage, radishes, carrots, bean sprouts sesame seeds and a lemon vinaigrette

Tracey0013

Cauliflower crust Hawaiian pizza
http://www.recipegirl.com/2012/01/16/cauliflower-crust-hawaiian-pizza/


Zucchini oven chips
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/zucchini-oven-chips-10000001087041/


Best broccoli of your life
http://www.amateurgourmet.com/2008/11/the_best_brocco.html

Here are some I am planning on trying

LiviLou2011

I think I've watched way too much porn, because this thread totally made me think of something else :laugh:

Lmao

jenn2782

I'm addicted to pinterest.com! it has a million different veggie recipes and most of the time they come out delish!

theladyy

I hear it's fun to throw tomatoes at people on stage...
They're also good for art projects.

Or if you REALLY want to have some fun, you can blow them up and watch their guts fly!

lisaferguson1979

Hey there

I am totally with you in doing it simple. I don't do fancy or complicated but I totally love veggies and even though my dinners are simple, they're made with love. I really enjoy and appreciate the colours of all the different veggies. I love making big fat salads but not just the standard. I do whatever feels right. I go to the market and buy whatever looks 'in season', a good price and versatile. Sometimes it requires a little bit of preparation but then you're set for a few days. Some examples of things I buy for salads are butternut pumpkin, fresh beetroot, lentils, broccoli, red onion, avocado...

With the beetroots, they require quite a lot of cooking time but I just wack them on the stove and leave them alone. You could do it on a lazy Sunday then you're set for the week. The skin just falls of them with a gentle touch and then you can store them in the fridge for a week or so. Fresh beetroots are soooo good. They're sweet, they're a nice texture and they add a fabulous colour to anything. The same with the pumkin, either boil it or if you want, roast it and then store it. Lentils and or brown rice also need to be cooked for quite a long time but again, you can then store them and have them ready for the week.

I love getting a big bowl and just start throwing all sorts of combos in it. As a bit of a filler (to fill you up) in salads, I always use one of either brown rice, lentils, pumpkin, tuna, egg or wholemeal pasta spirals as a base and then build from there.

Instead of dressing, add some nice quality olive oil, some sea salt, fresh lemon and any other spices you like. I find when you've got these sorts of things in a 'salad', there's more flavour naturally.

Some of the sorts of combos I'm talking about:

Baby spinachs leaves, roast pumpkin, brown rice, red onion, beetroot and avocado.

Lentils, onion, pumpkin, tomato, cheese and broccoli.

Brown rice, egg, beetroot, avocado, broccoli, garlic and shredded lettuce.

I hope this gives you some ideas. I just do a little prepping and then have fun with it. A good idea is to package some in a container in the moment that you're making it and then you have lunch for the following day.

Good luck!!!

LCBinGA

Stir-Don't-Fry: I start with what I like to refer to as "freebie veggies" (as they have such minimal calories: garlic, onion, celery, peppers (all types). Cut up about a cup , add to it a cup or two of main veggies: snow peas, broccoli, califlower, squash, cabbage (pretty much a freebie), shrooms, carrots, asparagus. Barely cover the bottom of your skillet with water, throw in all veggies, sprinkly with either cajun, lemon/pepper, old bay, italian seasonings. Let steam 3-5 minutes (watch water may need to add), throw in grilled protein, and I keep in the fridge cooked plain ww-pasta or brown rice. throw in 1/2 cup carb long enough to heat. dinner 300-400 calories!

Soup for you: take veggies above, cook in low sodium broth (I use 1/2 water, 1/2 broth) and a rinsed can of beans. Usually is about 125 calories for 12-oz. Lunch for work

Veggie Pocket: lots of cut up veggies w/spicey mustart or hummus, low cal mayo, flavored vineager. marinara sauce

Maybe one of these will help. I do "prep work" on a slower day so it's throw-n-go during the week. I have found if I make my meal look all pretty I'm more likely to enjoy it. Also, with the Stir-not-fry I use chop sticks, it forces me to slow down

Fairy_Farts

Ummm..... buahahahahaha!!!

Lampy00512

I think I've watched way too much porn, because this thread totally made me think of something else :laugh:

Ditto, glad I wasn't the only one! :laugh:

bevtrayer

BUMP

loseweightjames

Sorry all I could do is giggle.. that is a loaded question... hmmm you can stick them in your ears..
OK I'm done very tired and gettn silly

potato cannon

brookepenni

Curry veggies
Beef up a bolognaise with veggies
Soup
Veggie cottage pie
Veggie lasagne

So much to do! I love my veggies though - even just steamed!

durhamity

My husband has this little thing that he can do where he sticks a green bean up his nose and then pulls it out of his ear. This trick KILLS at 8 year old birthday parties! :laugh:

courtneycuth

This isn't my website, but there's a bunch of recipes here for vegetables: http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/vegetable/

Recently I tried the braised fennel and it was FANTASTIC. Can't wait to have it again.
http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/braised_fennel/

Robin_Bin

Hide them in other foods -- vegetables in lasagna or spaghetti sauce.
Add mango lime salsa (different brands vary widely in caloric content; Stonewall kitchen has one for about 15 calories in a spicy tablespoonful)
Mix unusual ones into salads.
Sprinkle with grated Romano cheese or some other cheese that fits into your plan.

LoriInIowa

I lOVE veggies....we just did 2 "new" things the last week or so that were DELISH.

Use cauliflower as "mashed potatoes"...we just steamed it, smashed it, added some real butter, a couple tablespoons 1/2 and 1/2, salt and pepper. Yummy.

Mother's Day dh and I grated brussel sprouts, sauteed them in a bit of coconut oil with salt/pepper. YUM!

GRILLED zucchini is one of my all-time-favorites. Not the baseball bat size ones, however.
Use the smaller 6-8" ones, slice into 1/2" slices long ways. Spray with olive oil, throw on the grill. 3 minutes or so, turn--add parmesan cheese and fresh cracked pepper. Grill an add'tl 2 or 3 minutes. Remove and eat.

LoriInIowa

Don't forget QUICHE or frittata! Yum. Excellent source of protein with the eggs...and wonderful nutrients with the veggies!

sweetyedie

McCormick makes a spice called "Perfect Pinch" They have a couple different styles and this adds seasonings to the veggies that really gives them variety

elenathegreat

How about this?:bigsmile:

Jersey_Devil

I think I've watched way too much porn, because this thread totally made me think of something else :laugh:

As soon as someone innocently mentioned mushrooms i started laughing. lol