HATE veggies & I don't know how to cook... HELP!

Are there veggies that you enjoy when your family cooks them, or when you eat out? That would be a good starting point. We grow, cook and eat just about every vegetable known to man, lol. It's just such a broad topic I don't know where to begin. What about cook books? I started a thread called, "Keeper of the Keys". It may just speak to you at this moment in time.

Good for you for wanting to make this change!!

Sometimes you can hide veggies in other foods. For example, shredded carrots and zucchini can be added to turkey burgers. You'll trick your mind into thinking that you are eating something bad, but really it will be healthy for you. During the winter I eat a lot of canned and frozen veggies. These are easy to cook. Plus, there are some microwavable veggies out there that have perfect portions, and are delicious. It comes down to a little trial and error on finding out what you like and don't like.

Why not keep the veggies you like. Seasoned baked potato wedges are awesome. Corn you can add to a homemade salsa.

Try buying a juicer and juice veggies and include some fruit for taste. It's easier to down a small juice and get your veggies in that way. See if that works. Good luck!

Here is what I made tonight for dinner. See my blog for photo.
You can leave out the asparagus or substitute it with zucchini, cabbage or spinach. This will make approximately 7 cups of soup. Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for several days or you can freeze the leftovers in quart canning jars. (Be sure to leave enough headroom so when the soup expand in the freezer it won't crack the glass.)

4 cups of homemade vegetable broth ** (see below) OR 4 cups of store bought vegetable broth (Pacific brand is good)
4 cups of water
1 cup of well rinsed, picked through red lentils
(Sometimes there are small stones mixed in the lentils from the store. Pour 1 cup of lentils into a strainer slowly while you're keeping an eye out for stones. Then rinse the lentils until they water is no longer cloudy.)
4 medium carrots chopped
1 medium onion (or half of one large onion) chopped
3 stalks of celery chopped
2 small potatoes cut up
5 spears of asparagus cut into 1"- 2" pieces
1/2 teaspoon of sea salt or himalayan salt
1/2 teaspoon of basil
1/2 teaspoon of tarragon
1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
A dash of pepper

Add the vegetable broth, water, carrots, onion, and celery to a large saucepan or dutch oven and boil until the lentils become soft (approximately 20 min)

Add the asparagus, herbs and spices and cook for another 5 minutes.



**The homemade vegetable broth is made by boiling a large onion, several carrots, a few of stalks of celery and several garlic cloves in 3 - 4 quarts of water for at least 45 minutes. You can leave the veggies whole while boiling. Afterwards, use an immersion blender or regular blender to blend the cooked veggies into the broth. Save in quart canning jars for when making quinoa, rice or soups.

One PRO-TIP is to blend your veg. I don't mean.. all of it, but you can make a tomato based sauce (chopped tomatoes + herbs) and add in some veggies and blend them into a sauce to have with your chicken or turkey or whatever it is you are eating, it works really well if you have problems with textures and such.

Hey when I was 22 I didn't know what I was doing in the kitchen at all but wanting to eat healthier inspired me to learn how to cook and now I'm 40 and a dam good home cook if I do say so myself

Roasting is a good way to cook veggies. Basically turn the oven up to about 400 degrees and put a tray of whatever veggie you have in there. You can use onions, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes, potatoes, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, whatever. Chop into reasonable pieces and spray or toss with some olive oil and season with salt and pepper or anything else you might want to try like chili powder,cumin, even things like chicken seasoning are great on roasted veggies. Check them every 20 minutes or so and flip if needed. When they taste good then it's time to eat them!

Another thing I have is a microwave veggie steamer. You put a little water in the bottom and then the veggies in the top tray. You can use fresh or frozen veggies and it only takes a few minutes in the micro. Then you can add a little butter (I use Earth Balance) or salad dressing or salt and pepper to make it taste good enough to eat

And what about salads? That is a good way to get your veggies? You can even add corn,salsa,etc to some greens and make yourself a little taco style salad. Or you can make potato salad and serve it over greens.

I also like juicing so that becomes a great way to get more veggies!

And finally, what about fresh veggies like carrots with hummus? Doesn't everyone love hummus? Even on carrots?

Hello, You asked a really great question... I make homemade pizzas, with low calorie pita pockets. I put tomato, onion, mushroom, sweet peppers, and spinach, and put mozzarella cheese on top..

Chicken soups are great, you can add carrots, garlic, celery. just scrumtous.

sweet potatos french fries: Slice finely, and bake with a little salt 450 degrees.. (watch carefully)

Stuffed Bellpeppers: stuffed with already cooked meat and rice with tender veggies inside. I use okra. Cut lid off bellpepper take out inside, and stuff. Place in oven on about 400 degrees. for about 20 minutes, but keep watching.. its ready when bell pepper is tender.. This is one of my favorites!


Have a nice day

Another thing I have is a microwave veggie steamer. You put a little water in the bottom and then the veggies in the top tray. You can use fresh or frozen veggies and it only takes a few minutes in the micro. Then you can add a little butter (I use Earth Balance) or salad dressing or salt and pepper to make it taste good enough to eat

And what about salads? That is a good way to get your veggies? You can even add corn,salsa,etc to some greens and make yourself a little taco style salad. Or you can make potato salad and serve it over greens.

I also like juicing so that becomes a great way to get more veggies!

Steaming in the microwave is probably the easiest no fuss way, I like to add a little chicken broth or bouillon for flavor. Also, as many have said roasting in the oven as well as grilling.

Roasted broccoli is my absolute favorite, I have it for a snack sometimes! Just mix a couple cups of broccoli with a tablespoon of olive oil and a clove of garlic (I cheat and buy already minced garlic in a jar!) Bake on cookie sheet until tops start turning a little brown and they are fork tender...usually like 20-25 mins at 375. Top with a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar. YUM!

I eat wayyyy too many processed foods. I want to start eating a bit cleaner to get a handle on my sodium and sugar intake, but I really dislike almost all veggies (besides starchy ones like corn and potatoes, of course -_-). I have no problem with fruit, though! I also don't really know how to cook! you think I'd be able to cook almost anything since I'm 22 and basically live alone. but I've stuck to frozen dinners and things that come in cans, jars, bags, and boxes.

does anybody have any suggestions on how to incorporate veggies into my daily diet?
any super simple recipes I can use frequently?

thanks in advance!

so... you're 22. not surprising you don't like veggies, etc. but guess what? you gotta learn.

the easiest thing in the world to do? a stir fry. throw some oil/butter in a pan (coconut oil or animal fat is preferable... though olive oil works in a pinch) and put in your meat till the outsides are all cooked then throw in a bunch of veggies (whatever kind you want) and season with salt/pepper/spices. To make it easier, get a seasoning spice mixture that's got a lot of stuff in it so you don't have to buy all the spices separately.

it's fast, easy, good, and the combinations are endless.

Another thing that is soooo easy to do!

If you ever make pasta and sauce for dinner just throw some fresh spinach into the pasta water right before you drain the noodles. Since the spinach wilts down you don't even notice it in there but you are eating greens.