How do you cook your veggies?

ladyace0007
ladyace0007 Posts: 47
in Food and Nutrition
I've always been a card-carrying vegetable hater, but as I'm expanding my diet I'm reeeeally trying to change that. Lately I've realized that I like vegetables in soups, when they're cooked nice and soft. Like, no need to chew, it melts in your mouth soft.

I'm planning to try some vegetable soups and pot pie recipes, but what about just plain mixed veggies? What's the best way to cook them really soft... steaming, roasting?

And does anybody have any favorite, creative vegetable dishes?

Replies

  • LolBroScience
    LolBroScience Posts: 4,537 Member
    Microwave. I'm lazy...

    Zucchini, Squash, are easy to get that sort of texture...
  • dirtmagnets
    dirtmagnets Posts: 116 Member
    My preference is to chop up a whole bunch of different veggies, drizzle them with a little olive oil, chopped garlic, pepper, and either salt or a tiny sprinkling of freshly grated parmesan or romano cheese, and throw them in a really hot oven just until they're tender. I tend to be forgetful and often accidentally let them cook until they're super-soft, and they're still very tasty.
    I make a big batch (8-10 cups) every few days - they warm up quick in the microwave. My current batch is broccoli, cauliflower, red bell pepper, zucchini, carrots, and a tiny bit of red onion...only one more serving left, though, and I'm trying to decide if I'm going to change it up for the batch I'll make tomorrow or keep it the same, because I'm really not tired of it yet.
  • MileHighFitness
    MileHighFitness Posts: 2,298 Member
    Frozen veggies...Microwave steamer..six minutes then add sea salt and black pepper..for more minutes..toss in a bowl with a smidge of olive oil..done and yummy.

    Fresh veggies..eat em RAW
  • ayamagali
    ayamagali Posts: 167 Member
    Roasted veggies are like candy! However, I haven't gotten it to work the same with frozen. With frozen veggies I just nuke em with lemon pepper or marinara. Or with plain yogurt (could also use sour cream). Yum!
  • Carnivor0us
    Carnivor0us Posts: 1,752 Member
    Sauteed or fried in butter with some kind of meat.
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    I let a cow eat the veggies ... then cook the cow.
  • ncscott11
    ncscott11 Posts: 100 Member
    I have found an easy way to sneak in veggies is to throw them in my ninja and then you can really add it to anything without even noticing! I even put them in meatballs once and no one even knew!
  • ktsmom430
    ktsmom430 Posts: 1,100 Member
    Roasted in the oven or grilled.
    A little extra virgin olive oil, crushed red peppers, and a little sea salt.
  • gapeach1279
    gapeach1279 Posts: 37 Member
    wrap some bacon around asparagus and drop it on a grill (or in a frying pan). You can thank me later :)
  • climbing_trees
    climbing_trees Posts: 726 Member
    Steaming is great to get really soft veggies :)
    I like it because you don't need to add any oil.
  • StephyA86
    StephyA86 Posts: 68 Member
    The broiler is my best friend. Certain veggies like asparagus, broccoli and butternut squash are especially tasty tossed in a tiny amount of olive oil, sprinkled with a little kosher salt and black pepper and broiled until tender. Dangit..now I'm hungry.
  • paddlefeet
    paddlefeet Posts: 9
    I've just become addicted to steamed zucchini. I usually put zucchini in my spaghetti and stuff because Mr is a veggie hater and I had to be sneaky. Out of curiosity decided to steam a few pieces and see what it was like... Delicious! Very soft, and has a flavour I didn't know zucchini had. A bit of salt, and if can eat that stuff until I'm about to burst. Very healthy, since you just sprinkle water on them, cover, and microwave for 5 minutes.

    I add broccoli and carrot as well, and that's my side of veggies with my lunch or dinner. I'm going to try asparagus next, not sure what that will be like!
  • chunkybun
    chunkybun Posts: 179 Member
    zucchini sticks: dip in egg white & bread crumbs & bake until tender
    Asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower: steam with whole garlic cloves - season with greek or jerk seasoning
    frozen veggies: boil or microwave & top with fresh squeezed lime juice and chilli powder
  • JenniTheVeggie
    JenniTheVeggie Posts: 2,474 Member
    Roasting with olive oil, salt and pepper So many yummy combinations!
  • Losing_Sarah
    Losing_Sarah Posts: 279 Member
    I am a life long veggie lover, but I didn't love all the veggies I eat my whole life. How I cook them depends on the veggie. I'll eat most of them cooked using various cooking methods, or raw. Hands down, though, roasting most veggies is THE BEST way to have them. The flavor is phenomenal!

    Tonight for dinner, for example, I roasted asparagus, cherry tomatoes, & crimini mushrooms with a little bit of Annie's Garlic infused olive oil, salt, and pepper. I typically never add anything other salt, pepper, and some kind of oil (olive or canola, here)

    I also roast broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, brussels sprouts, potatoes, cabbage, kohlrabi, sweet potatoes, squash, zucchini, onions, beets, green beans, and so on.

    Find a way that you like veggies and start with veggies that you like or can stand more than others and over time add new veggies and you will acquire a taste for them.

    Honestly, if I were made to only eat one category of food and give up the rest my choice would be to only eat veggies the rest of my life. They are so versatile and so much can be done with them.
  • dgkt
    dgkt Posts: 57 Member
    I like to roast carrots with olive oil, black pepper, and rosemary. It's amazing! And only takes about 15 mins in the oven.
  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
    I steam my veggies in the microwave. There's an automatic setting on mine that cooks the veggies just right for me; slightly crunchy, but definitely cooked. I read somewhere that microwaving veggies keep the vitamins in them as opposed to boiling them so the vitamins go into the water.

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