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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:
TwoZeroTwoZero · 14/05/2020 21:51

Glass jug, small splash of water, cover with clingfilm and pierce and then microwave for as long as it says on the pack. If the hug is hot at the bottom it's done but if it's only warm or even cold to the touch it needs a bit longer.

twotimetina · 14/05/2020 21:51

I believe the microwave was made especially for vegetables Grin seriously, it's steaming made easy! Just chop them up, stick them in a bowl with a little water/oil/butter and microwave for a few minutes. Easy peasy

Or, I agree with PPs roasting them. Always makes them delicious with a bit of garlic salt on top

Figmentofmyimagination · 14/05/2020 21:55

I’m on my own atm and I’m doing a lot of stir frying into freshly cooked rice.

My M&S veg box had a dishearteningly large bag of ‘spring greens’ in it this week but I made it really delicious by cutting it in strips and stir frying it in walnut oil, garlic, chilli and ginger paste with frozen peas, along with the cooked white rice which I mixed in with the veg mixture in the pan. It worked really well.

Erictheavocado · 14/05/2020 21:58

I use these vegetables retain all their flavour without having to add salt.
They are also great for fish and chicken.

Nanasueathome · 14/05/2020 21:58

Steamer
I had an electric one initially and then changed to a stainless steel stove top steamer
I’ve had it for years now and use it all the time
No mushy veg in this house

ColdCottage · 14/05/2020 22:04

I roast loads of things.

Loving broccoli and cauliflower cut into chunks, tossed in cold pressed rapeseed oil with a a sprinkle of salt and pepper. 180 fan oven for 25 mins or until the tips start to go golden. Cook a bit longer if you like them softer.

I also steam loads of veg. Potatoes in 6 mins. Win. www.robertdyas.co.uk/medium-microwave-steamer

sleepyhead · 14/05/2020 22:10

I boil, but only in a couple cm of water with the lid on so that the veg mostly steams. It works well for broccoli or cauli as you have the stems in the water and the heads out. Don't overcook is the main thing though.

allfurcoatnoknickers · 14/05/2020 22:13

I never EVER boil. I'm also not a fan of steaming - too bland for me but YMMV.

Sautee spinach, green beans and mushrooms
Braise leeks and bok choi
Make cauliflower mash
Roast sweet potato in wedges. I also love roasted carrots.

zscaler · 14/05/2020 22:28

Best way to have broccoli is to cut it into small florets and toss in oil, salt and garlic. Then you roast it until it is crispy, and as soon as it comes out of the oven liberally squeeze over the juice of a lemon. It’s absolutely marvellous.

TwatCat · 14/05/2020 22:33

Steam without salt til they are just cooked. Al dente.

CherryPavlova · 14/05/2020 22:41

Varies depending on vegetables and whether main course is.
Stir fry
We use an Aga, so tend to bake a lot. Roasted root vegetables, cauliflower, peppers, beetroot, fennel, kale, sweet corn, gratins.
Lots raw in salads and remoulade.
Microwave quick cook things like mange tout, broccoli and asparagus.
Sauté onions, shallots, leeks, carrots, pepper,
Rarely boil but sometimes peas, green beans and things needing blanching.

Bloops · 14/05/2020 23:03

I have a microwave steamer. Tenderstem broccoli, green beans, asparagus, carrots, etc. Always turns out lovely. I usually only drizzle olive oil and lemon on.
If there's lots of time to kill, then roasted parsnips, carrots, courgettes, onions, etc... sometimes honey glazed.
I could go on. I love veg!

mymadworld · 14/05/2020 23:10

Bamboo steamers - I've got various sizes that fit over my saucepans or just use a frying pan with water for the big ones. Green veg are generally improved with black pepper and a little butter or olive oil but everything else I just served al dente. Cauliflower and broccoli are great roasted.

40somethingJBJ · 14/05/2020 23:13

If I’m doing a lot of veg for a roast dinner, I usually steam. I also steam potatoes for making mash - for some reason they mash so much nicer. I roast a lot of veg as well - just a dash of oil, salt and pepper and bung them in the oven. Peas are fab in the microwave.

Booboodisney · 14/05/2020 23:15

Mostly steam then finish off in a griddle with a bit of salt pepper and olive oil

Asparagus
Green beans
Mange tout
Broccoli
Sprouts
Kale
Pak Choi
Spinach

Peas are just cooked in a microwave steamer thing
Carrots boiled or raw or roasted
Parsnips roasted
Corn on the cob boiled
Cauliflower is evil

EggGarnish · 14/05/2020 23:23

Roasted broccoli with olive oil, garlic salt and pepper (and chilli flakes if you like) is AMAZING! I rarely steam it now.

Carrots roasted with olive oil, thyme and honey. Or wholegrain mustard and honey.

EggGarnish · 14/05/2020 23:32

And stir fried cabbage in butter. 👌

Winterlife · 14/05/2020 23:40

I boil broccoli for a very short time. I add small flowerettes to boiling, slightly salted water, and cook until just tender, but still crunchy.

I boil carrots the same way, and mix with a little butter and dill.

Sometimes I boil spinach, again, adding to boiling water, or I saute it in olive oil with garlic.

I always roast brussels sprouts.

I like raw or boiled mushrooms, but our daughter likes them fried, so I occasionally fry them in onions and butter.

I boil peas and beans, again, adding to salted water for a very short period (beans of course take longer). I like beans plain, but for special occasions, I will add slivered almonds browned in butter.

I also make stir fry with a variety of vegetables. I cook for a short time in very high heat in a wok, with coconut oil, garlic, and ginger, adding each vegetable until almost crunchy before adding the next vegetable. Then I add a mixture of soy sauce, a little hoisin sauce, rice wine vinegar, a little sesame oil, Chinese cooking wine, and corn starch to thicken.

TriciaH87 · 14/05/2020 23:43

Steamer. My boys won't eat their veg any other way.

eaglejulesk · 14/05/2020 23:46

I either steam or stir fry them - and no salt.

Pimmsypimms · 14/05/2020 23:46

I'm shit at veggies if I boil them, so I always steam them and they're generally spot on. You have more control with a steamer as you can set the timer for as long or as short as you like and they're never soggy!!

Winterlife · 14/05/2020 23:50

Steaming also, in general terms, retains more nutrients.

Lifeasweknow · 14/05/2020 23:53

I have an electric steamer and I love it. I think they always taste much better steamed

BackforGood · 14/05/2020 23:59

Peel, chop steam works for most veg.
No salt involved.
How long depends on how much I have in the steamer but generally around 20mins is a good call.

ZetaPuppis · 15/05/2020 00:04

I either add them to the meal like adding veg to the rice, curry or pasta sauce or I roast it or sauté in garlic butter. Boil things like frozen sweetcorn and peas.

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