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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask how you cook your veggies

74 replies

smokescreen · 14/05/2020 21:25

Posting for traffic.

I'm shit at cooking veggies. Either too mushy or undercooked and tasteless/burned garlic/ovrsalted. Always something wrong. I'm not a bad cook generally but have no idea what to do with a pack of broccoli or green beans or carrots.

Your fail safe tips and recipes please!

OP posts:
PhoneLock · 14/05/2020 21:28

We had broccoli tonight. I steamed it.

Goostacean · 14/05/2020 21:28

My latest thing is chopping them all up and boiling them in a ragout type thing, with a tin or two of chopped tomatoes and a stock cube. Can give more detailed instructions but usually play it by ear.

Managed to get a pack of mushrooms, an aubergine, a courgette, a pack of green beans, multiple carrots, a red onion, and two tins of tomatoes into me, DH and the toddler across two meal times. Healthy!

barneymcgroo · 14/05/2020 21:30

Cauliflower: chop into florets, into a roasting dish with oil and salt (and some cumin, if you like).
Roast 200c for about 20-30 minutes - cauliflower should be golden brown, cooked through. Have a shoogle half way through. It's fab.

fedupwithitallnow · 14/05/2020 21:31

I slice my carrots and roast them with a sprinkle of oil and honey, nice and sweet. Parsnips I boil for a few mins to soften then I do same as carrots, caramelises them, Same with roast potatoes , yummy 😋

mynameiscalypso · 14/05/2020 21:31

There are very few veggies that are not improved by roasting.

PurpleDaisies · 14/05/2020 21:33

I don’t use any salt cooking vegetables. I don’t think they need it.

Broccoli I’d steam or boil for five minutes, making sure there weren’t any think stems. Same for green beans, carrots ten minutes.

I prefer veg in stir fries. If your garlic is burning, maybe your pan is too hot or you’re not using enough oil, or not stirring enough.

nicslackey · 14/05/2020 21:34

Broccoli, cabbage, potatoes are steamed. Carrots and parsnips roasted. Green beans and mange toute are boiled very briefly then tossed in cider vinegar and seasoned with salt and black pepper. The latter is new to me but my son was converted recently in Italy and would not eat these previously. Sometimes julienne carrots in orange juice. Butternut squash roasted with par cooked new potatoes and sprinkled with lemon zest and sometimes feta. Sprouts are steamed but not too much as we don't like soft veg unless it is cauliflour smothered in cheese sauce!! hth!!

bridgetreilly · 14/05/2020 21:34

I roast almost everything. Chop into equal sized pieces, on a tray, splash of olive oil, sprinkle of salt, into the oven. My absolute favourite this way is tenderstem broccoli, but it works for pretty much everything, is quick and easy.

heroineinahalfshell · 14/05/2020 21:34

I never, ever boil veg. I either steam it using a bamboo steamer, or savoy cabbage/cavolo nero I saute in a pan. Carrots and asparagus get roasted in the oven. Really you just have to ignore the cooking instructions and keep checking with a knife while you're steaming because the timing on the instructions are never, ever right. I also salt after cooking, not during.

FizzyPink · 14/05/2020 21:35

If they’re not stirred into things like stir fry’s or curries I either roast or steam.
Roast things like peppers, aubergines, courgettes
Steam broccoli, green beans, baby corn, kale, spinach etc

HollysBush · 14/05/2020 21:35

Green beans are my new favourite. Wash, Cut ends off, cut in half, put in boiling water for about five minutes. But you’ve got to watch them or set a timer! Taste one to see if they need another minute or two.

LeGrandBleu · 14/05/2020 21:36

Onion, first boil for 15-20 than either sweet-sour in a pan or oven roasted
Carrots, I like them braised
Spinach first boil, then squeeze all water and then sauté in a pan with garlic
Kale chips in oven
Pumpkin cut into chunks or slices and in tray in oven with olive oil , rosemary and coarse salt and garlic for 45 min
Left over veggies, when you only have one of each, braised in a pan

My only advice is to use fresh , not frozen except for peas. I hate the taste of frozen and can always tell in restaurants if fresh

FizzyPink · 14/05/2020 21:36

Also if you’re steaming and don’t like your veg soft it literally needs five minutes

TickledOnion · 14/05/2020 21:36

I agree with mynameiscalypso.
I roast broccoli at about 200C for
20 mins with lots of olive oil, salt and garlic granules (fresh garlic burns too quickly). Serve as it is or with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
Same with green beans. Even frozen ones are delicious roasted for about 30mins.

ErickBroch · 14/05/2020 21:36

stir fry with garlic for 3 mins on a high heat, add arouund 75ml of water to frying pan and cover with foil and let cook.

Twigletfairy · 14/05/2020 21:37

Depends on the meal I'm having. Usually they're steamed, fried or roasted

OmgThereAreNoPlanesAboveMeNow · 14/05/2020 21:37

Either too mushy or undercooked and tasteless/burned garlic/ovrsalted.

You need to concentrate on the cooking and keep tasting things in regular intervals.

Bobleywobley · 14/05/2020 21:37

I discovered a steamer after decades of mushy veg, it changed everything. Veg is perfectly cooked and not watery.

Jellykat · 14/05/2020 21:38

I steam everything, but i hate cooking so its the easiest option.

PurpleDaisies · 14/05/2020 21:38

Kale is lovely covered in salt and baked in the oven for a few minutes. It burns very suddenly so you have to watch it but its worth it.

LaurieMarlow · 14/05/2020 21:40

I second the roasting.

I also microwave things like peas, spinach, green beans. Then toss with melted butter and herbs.

Proper seasoning is important, then further flavourings like chili, garlic, ginger, soy can really lift your veg.

Sparklesocks · 14/05/2020 21:40

I prefer roasted veg, it makes the texture soft but not mushy (And not a fan of how hard boiled veg can be) and keeps the flavour. Just use a bit of salt, pepper and olive oil and sometimes I chuck some garlic in too.

Almostfifty · 14/05/2020 21:43

I do most of my veg in a Lakeland steamer. Perfect veg everytime.

funmummy48 · 14/05/2020 21:46

We steam or roast.

4Naan · 14/05/2020 21:47

Green beans are transformed by dressing and seasoning after cooking.

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