4 Easy Ways to Cook Your Veggies
It's so easy to buy all the wonderful veggies at the farmers market or in the supermarket, but how do we actually make them taste good?
Today, I'm sharing 4 simple ways to cook your veggies, all of which I use in my own kitchen!
1. Steaming
Steaming is one way to prepare simple, clean-tasting vegetables. Steaming takes 5-10 minutes for green leafy vegetables, and 10-25 minutes for roots. All you need is a steaming basket and a pot with a lid, filled with about 2 inches of water.
Steamers come in a variety of forms. The stainless steel fold-up variety fits inside a pot to keep the vegetables above water. Some pots are specifically made with holes in the bottom for steaming over another pot of water. To steam vegetables, simply follow these steps:
1. Wash vegetables
2. Chop vegetables (the smaller the size, the faster they will cook)
3. Bring water to a boil
4. Place vegetables in a steaming basket over water and cover
5. Steam until they become bright in color or have reached desired texture
6. Remove vegetables from pot and run under cool water
Some ways to add variety to steamed vegetables:
• Add 1 tablespoon olive oil or coconut oil to every 2 cups of greens
• Use lots of sea salt on top of the veggies for extra flavor
• Sprinkle greens with toasted pumpkin, sesame, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, or walnuts
• Sprinkle greens with fresh herbs: mint, dill, basil, parsley, cilantro, scallions
• Squeeze fresh lemon juice over them to add some zing
2. Blanching
Blanching, or quick boiling, is another way to prepare vegetables quickly and "cleanly." Blanching helps to break down the fiber of raw vegetables more so than steaming, which may aid digestion. Blanching vegetables also removes the raw flavor and brightens up their color. To blanch vegetables, simply follow these steps:
1. Bring water to a boil
2. Add a pinch of salt
3. Wash and chop the vegetables
4. Drop the vegetables into the water and lower the heat
5. Cook until they become bright
6. Rinse with cool water to prevent further cooking
For softer vegetables, let them cook longer.
Remember, for steaming and blanching, the size and density of the vegetable will determine the cooking time. Harder vegetables like roots take the longest. Green leafy vegetables, such as collards and bok choy, take less time.
Any vegetables may be steamed or blanched. These two cooking methods are especially good when you want to "get to know" a new vegetable. Experiment with different combinations of vegetables. Pay attention to colors, textures, and flavors!
3. Stir-Frying
Stir-frying is another quick and nutritious way to prepare vegetables. You can stir-fry any kind of vegetable in oil or in water. Softer vegetables such as Chinese cabbage, bok choy, thinly sliced carrots, mushrooms, and onions will only take a few minutes to cook.
Before you start, have all of the vegetables rinsed and cut into pieces—thinner slices and smaller pieces will cook faster and more evenly.
If you choose to use oil, heat a wok or a frying pan and add a small amount of oil (like olive, avocado, or coconut oil). If you are making a small amount of vegetables, brushing the wok or pan with oil is usually enough. Start with the harder vegetables like roots. Add one variety at a time and cook them until they become shiny before adding the next ones. Sprinkling a pinch of sea salt over the vegetables draws just enough moisture to prevent sticking and will bring out the flavor. You may also sprinkle water over your vegetables to gain extra steam and heat.
If you choose to sauté with water, add one inch of water to your wok or pan, and bring to boil. Add thinly sliced vegetables, cover, and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
Here are some great colorful and tasty combinations for stir- frying:
• Onions, carrots, and snow peas
• Cabbage, mushrooms, Brussel sprouts, and zucchini
• Red bell pepper, onion, mushroom, garlic, and green pepper
• Onions, mushrooms, and zucchini with dried basil
• Yellow patty pan squash and mizuna greens with garlic
Add in ground beef, chicken, pork, or turkey to make it a complete meal!
4. Baking/Roasting
Many vegetables taste delicious when baked. Baking brings out the very essence of the vegetables, especially squashes and roots. Place vegetables in a baking pan, roast for 45-60 minutes at about 400 degrees. Try baking any variety of the vegetables below.
Green leafy vegetables:
• Collard greens
• Kale: dinosaur kale, purple kale, and Lacinato kale
• Dandelion greens
• Mustard greens
• Chards: Swiss chard, red chard, and rainbow chard
• Beet greens
Roots and squashes:
• Carrot
• Parsnip
• Turnip
• Rutabaga
• Sweet Potato
• Celery root
• Red Potato
• Acorn squash
• Kabocha squash
• Butternut squash
Other vegetables:
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Brussels sprouts
There you have it! Four simple ways to make easily make veggies taste amazing! Remember that sea salt and pepper go a long way in make food taste good as well. Don't be skimpy on the sea salt - veggies are naturally low in sodium, so you can add a little with no harm!