Simple Vegetable Recipes

Well, squash is very good and tastes amazing when it's grilled or steamed. One of the ways I make it is to put just a touch of olive oil (or canola) into your saute pan and slice, dice or however you want to cut it, add a touch of salt & pepper and saute it.

Another idea is zucchini cakes. Shred about 2 cups of zucchini (or any other squash), put the shredded zucchini between paper towels or a clean dish towel and squeeze out the excess water. In a bowl beat an egg, add the squash along with a tsp of salt and pepper, fresh parsley (if you like), garlic powder (whatever spices you like) and 2 tbsp of shredded parmesean cheese. Mix all together. Spray a saute pan with cooking spray. Get a 2/3 measuring cup and fill the measuring cup with the zucchini mixture. Empty the measuring cup into the saute pan and slightly press down on the zucchini patty. Do this with the remaining mix. Cook on medium-low until they're browned. You can also put these on a cookie sheet and cook in the oven instead on about 400. These are very flavorful and good for you. Enjoy!

My favorite, super easy, go-to lunch:

Mince up a couple of ounces of lean protein (leftover grilled chicken, pork, fish, shrimp, whatever you have handy). Make it tiny (1/4 inch or so, like you would for a small toddler). Toss it in a food container and dump in about 2 cups of frozen veggies (whatever you like best. I usually use a stir fry mix and then add extra veggies from single veggie bags). Sprinkle on 1 TBSP chia seeds and 1-2 TBSP of a low fat/fat free dressing or marinade (sometimes I skip the dressing and just sprinkle on a little salt, pepper, garlic powder, and herbs).

I bring it to work with me and microwave it for 90 seconds, shake it up with the cover on, and then cook another 60-90 seconds. Super easy, takes about 2 minutes to prepare and another couple minutes to cook, and it tastes great. Mincing the meat so tiny means that you get some in every bite, even though your total portion is small - so it seems like you're eating much more. In addition, the chia seeds help you to feel full longer.

Grilled Veggies! Quick and tasty: Zucchini, Peppers, Onions, Asparagus, Mushrooms etc. etc. Some vegie salt, pepper, and a touch of EVOO.

Roasted Veggies! Exactly the same as above but in the oven on a baking sheet (try brussel sprouts in the winter months).

And in the summer my all time favorite: Tomatoes and Cucumbers chopped, add EVOO, Vinegar, Salt & Pepper

well, my husband hates veggies but when I serve them with tomato sauce (1/4 cup) and a bit of parm. cheese (1TBS or less), he likes them...it doesn't add too many calories but if sodium is a concern look for lower sodium tomato sauce. It works well with brocolli, zuchinni, mushrooms, eggplant, peppers, and probably others...