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How can I make my veg less boring (only like a limited selection)

20 replies

POPholditdown · 29/07/2018 15:09

I only really boil or steam veg if I’m having it as a side which can get a but mundane but I don’t like a great deal so I’m stuck for ideas, and it gets boring eating the same style all the time.

Here’s my short list:
sweetcorn/corn on the cob
peas
green beans
cauliflower
broccoli
cooked spinach
tomato (ish)

I use other stuff like mushrooms, onions and peppers for added flavour in cooking but don’t eat the pieces.

Am I stuck with boring boiled veg?

OP posts:
POPholditdown · 29/07/2018 15:10

Oops I also don’t mind baby sweetcorn.

OP posts:
Tartyflette · 29/07/2018 16:06

It's just as easy to roast vegetables as boil them IME. Roasted cauliflower, cut into thick 'steaks' and roasted until sligftly browned -- lovely but needs a dressing of some sort, either olive oil/lemon or tahini/ground cumin or greek yoghurt/mint, if you like any of them.
I adore roasted tomatoes -- roasting brings out the sweetness. I halve them across, sprinkple with a little salt, a few drops of olive oil and some crushed garlic. Roast for 40 minutes to an hour. Serve with a very light sprinkle of balsamic vinegar, and fresh basil, if you like it. Best served at room temperature, I think.
I've also had chargrilled sweetcorn with lemon juice and a sprinkle of chili powder or flakes (no butter) and it's gorgeous.
Have you tried French style peas? (a la Francaise) fry a little finely chopped onion or spring onion in a little butter, add the peas and some liquid to just cover. This can be plain water or chicken stock if you have it, (or a bit of 'stockpot-type' chicken concentrate plus water,) little salt, a few shredded leaves of soft lettuce (i.e. not iceberg) , clap a lid on and leave to stew gently until the peas are cooked and the lettuce has all but disintegrated. Then remove the lid and whack the heat up to high to reduce the liquid to just a spoonful or so. Serve no need to drain, they are self-saucing! You could also add some chopped pancetta with the onion at the frying stage.
if you like it.
When you say green beans do you mean runners or french beans? I have recipes for both.....

SentToTheSynByn · 29/07/2018 16:10

Chopped spinach, ricotta and a grating of gruyere and nutmeg. Makes a lovely pasta sauce. I also spread it on puff pastry, roll it up lengthways and cut into pinwheels.

Cauliflower and green beans both work well in curry.

StripesandWings · 29/07/2018 16:14

I agree, love roasting Grin

Cauliflower: roast with smoked paprika, turmeric or cumin, broccoli too

Sweetcorn: roast with lime, chilli and butter. Wrap it in foil and it turns to a nice sticky marinade. Lemon and black pepper is also nice

Green beans: grill/griddle with some Harrisa and feta

Peas smash a bit with some mint

Ricekrispie22 · 29/07/2018 16:21

I don't often have veg as a side dish because we don't eat those kind of meals. My veg is normally in risotto, stir fry, curry, fried rice, frittata etc... Having said that though, we did have peas with fish pie yesterday.
Cauliflower and broccoli with cheese sauce. www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1272637/broccoli-and-cauliflower-cheese
Baked spinach and pea frittata www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/baked-spinach-and-pea-frittata/
Broccoli, pea and Cheddar frittata realfood.tesco.com/recipes/broccoli-pea-and-cheddar-frittata.html
Garlic, chilli and broccoli stir fry www.bbc.com/food/recipes/garlicchilliandbrocc_90660
Pea risotto www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1221/easy-risotto-with-bacon-and-peas
www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/5612/lemon-and-pea-risotto

POPholditdown · 29/07/2018 17:11

OMG look at all these recipes! I can’t believe I didn’t know you could roast sweetcorn.

runners or french beans
It’s french beans

Thanks everyone so far!

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Faster · 29/07/2018 17:13

Ooh roasted green beans are heavenly! I chuck some cherry tomatoes on an oven tray for ten mins, then add green beans for another 20. Oil, garlic and a little salt. Beautiful!

Tartyflette · 29/07/2018 17:29

OK - French beans it is --
These are lovely made into a salad in a light vinaigrette dressing; boil or steam the beans lightly, drain then cover with the dressing while the beans are still hot .Serve warm or at room temperature. Sprinkle with finely chopped parsley and shallot (optional)
or a richer dressing for steamed or boiled beans while the beans are cooking mix together in a bowl one raw egg yolk, two to three tbs double cream or creme fraiche, one finely chopped or crushed garlic clove and one teaspoon of wine vinegar. Drain the beans then return them to the pan, pour over the cream dressing and cook on a v.low heat for a minute (no longer or you'll scramble the egg!) Turn into a serving dish and sprinkle with a little chopped parsley or chives.
Green beans in home-made tomato sauce - Take cooked green beans and add to a fresh tomato sauce. While the beans are cooking skin and chop two large or three medium tomatoes, throw them into a saucepan with one tbs olive oil and a little finely chopped garlic, cook until the tomatoes have collapsed and the sauce thickens a little - five to 10 minutes. Salt to taste, add the beans, heat gently and serve.

Nightmanagerfan · 29/07/2018 17:34

Roast French beans and chopped up broccoli - rub with oil, crushed garlic and chillli if you like it. Plus a bit of seasoning. 200c for about 20 mins - some bits will go crispy and it’s absolutely delicious!

AdaColeman · 29/07/2018 17:49

Do you eat tomatoes? If so green beans a la Grecque is a lovely summer taste.

Do you eat cheese sauce? Try broccoli in cheese sauce.

Sweetcorn fritters would be a change for you.

Another vote foe peas cooked French style with lettuce.

yorkshireyummymummy · 29/07/2018 18:00

Peas, green beans, broccoli, spinach - all or any of these can be lightly steamed and then ‘finished’ in a frying pan with some butter ( which will coat them) to which you can add garlic, herbs, pancetta/bacon pieces and shallot or onion. It’s just a green veg medley but it goes beautifully with most dishes.
I’ve been doing it for years - leftovers work really well in a risotto or frittata too.
I also use cabbage but you don’t have that on your list! Any green veg works in it. Obvs put the spinach in right at the end just before serving,

Faster · 29/07/2018 19:18

I like to steam some green veg, peas, green beans, small bits of broccoli, then stir through some cream cheese and mix with some cooked pasta. Little bit of lemon juice on top.

kateandme · 30/07/2018 07:46

all he things you mentioned are gorgeous roasted.try with some peppers and red onions and garlic and its a great platter!you can then have this as a side for meat rice or over jackets.
all the mentioned are great in curry too.expecially cauli and the beans and broccoli.
peas and sweetcorn with bacon through a cheesy pasta bake.
cheese and broccoli pasta.
sautéed beans with garlic butter.
peas and sweetcorn through rice.
cauli rice.
big chicken and veggie stew with dumplings.
cook them down in a white sauce and have either in pastry pockets or as a savoury crumble

sashh · 30/07/2018 08:06

As well as these fantastic ideas you can just up veg adding sauces and spices eg add a spoonful of shop bought mint to the peas, sprinkle paprika on cauliflower and also cauliflower cheese.

Sweet corn fritters are nice even on their own, make pancake batter, add sweet corn kernels stir and fry as small pancakes.

austenozzy · 30/07/2018 08:10

These are great, I think this is the first thread I’ll be actually printing off! I need to get more veg into me, never mind the kid!

(Also, I initially misread the title, ‘vag’ instead of ‘veg’, so was expecting something else entirely! 😊)

maxelly · 30/07/2018 15:21

In addition to all the great ideas here, can I throw soup into the mix? It's not the weather for it right now, but we get a veg box delivered every week and soup is a great way to use up the bits that go past their best or are less popular. You can make soup out of pretty much any combination of veg by browning it off with onions and garlic then simmering until soft in stock. Then blend (with cream if wanted). The fact that the texture is smooth and any overly strong flavours blend into something more generically 'veggy' makes veg that isn't a favourite much more acceptable I find!

See also, blending veg into tomato sauce if you like that, or making a mixed of chopped mixed veg chunks into a ratatouille with a lightly spiced and herby tomato sauce. Or smothering in a creamy/cheesy sauce a la cauliflower cheese - not the healthiest but again gets veg down!

POPholditdown · 30/07/2018 23:17

These are great! Whenever I’ve googled, the only ‘fancy’ veg ideas I get is roast shallots and carrots, so thought it was boiled peas or nothing for me!

Definitely trying all of these recipes, I appreciate all of the repliesSmile

Also, I initially misread the title, ‘vag’ instead of ‘veg’, so was expecting something else entirely! 😊

Grin You must have got a a shock when you opened the thread and it said I like to boil or steam it!

OP posts:
AdaColeman · 30/07/2018 23:49

As well as giving the vegetables you like a bit of a twist, why not try to expand the range that you eat for more interest and variety in your meals?
Asparagus is widely available and easy to cook, can be eaten hot or cold.
You already eat broccoli & cauliflower so why not try Romanesco cauliflower for a change.

When encouraging fussy children to try new things one of the "rules" is to offer a new food twenty times and usually within that framework the food will become acceptable.
You could try that yourself, don't reject a new taste after just a few tries, give your tastebuds a chance to get used to the new flavour, it could open up a world of exciting vegetables for you!

Have a read of Hugh F-W Veg Everyday cook book for some fab ideas.

myrtleWilson · 30/07/2018 23:58

If you're on social media follow @rocketandsquash - He has a book called "on the side" which is all about side dishes of vegetables -but have a look at what he cooks/references and if the book appeals - all good!

AdoraBell · 31/07/2018 00:32

Either roasting as already suggested, or add spices/herbs. I like black pepper on most things. Lemon juice on cauliflower is nice too.

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