If you do not enjoy eating vegetables, you may be missing out on many key vitamins, minerals and antioxidants you need for good health. Vegetables can be boring if you eat the same ones prepared in the same ways every day. But with a little creativity you can prepare tasty vegetable side dishes that you actually look forward to eating. That same creativity may also encourage your children to give some new vegetables a try.
Step 1
Spice up your vegetables. Add some of your favorite herbs and seasonings to enhance their taste. Sprinkle some red pepper flakes on for some spice or add some rosemary for a bold taste. Squeeze steamed or sauteed vegetables with a wedge of lemon as another way to enhance their flavor. Get creative by mixing and matching what flavorings you add.
Step 2
Grow your own produce. Plan a garden and choose a few vegetables you have never tried to plant. Be creative with how you plant your garden. Include some vegetables in each color so you can prepare colorful side dishes with your bounty.
Step 3
Make vegetable designs. This works particularly well if you have children who are reluctant to eat their vegetables. Roll a carrot shred up to look like a snail, or lay tomato slices next to a steamed green bean to resemble a butterfly. Make a rainbow by laying red pepper, carrots, yellow squash, asparagus and eggplant in a curved pattern on a serving plate.
Step 4
Make eye-catching garnishes for your favorite foods with vegetables. Chop carrots, celery and onion up very tiny and scatter over your main course like confetti or tie several julienned carrots with a piece of scallion as an attractive garnish to replace the standard piece of parsley.
Step 5
Carve vegetables into designs. Cut the end off of a radish and make several lines going in opposite directions. Soak it in a bowl of ice cold water and the radish will expand to resemble a flower. You can also peel and carve carrots and cucumbers to resemble flowers.
Tips and Warnings
- Check out some books about vegetables from the library for tips on growing and cooking them.
- Use very sharp knives when carving vegetables. They will work easier and will also reduce the chance of the knife slipping and cutting you while working.
Things You'll Need
- Assorted vegetables
- Herbs and seasonings
- Sharp knives
- Cutting board
References
- "Gourmet Garnishes: Creative Ways to Dress Up Your Food"; Mickey Baskett; 2006
- "Garnishing"; Francis Talyn Lynch; 1987
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