After years of eating WAY too few veggies, I'm working them into my life. But, so far, most of the luck I've had is with hot veggie dishes (or adding them to my main dishes). Many are simple, so it's not like I'm adding many calories. But, it's summer and we like picnics. I'm going on several picnics this week. And, it's annoying to dirty a pan if I'm just wanting an afternoon snack at home. I can stand to eat raw broccoli (generally with dip), raw carrots and raw cucumbers, but I'm not very excited about them. I'd rather skip it! What I've been doing is just eating extra veggies when I'm home, but it's hard to eat a day's worth of veggies in one meal! I'd really love to learn to fix up veggies somehow that's reasonably healthy, but able to be served cold from the fridge or cooler. Got recipes?

Have you thought about a gazpacho? I don't have a recipe off hand but you could easily find one on the internet. Try food network. I think it would be really good for these hot summer months.

Yesterday I brought this cold veggie salad-like meal to work in a tupperware:

1/2 can garbanzo beans
1/2 pint grape tomatoes cut in thirds
1 small cucumber, peeled and diced
big handful of diced cremini mushrooms (raw)
black pepper and balsamic vinegar to taste

It was really tasty and had lots of veggies!

How about roasted veggies? They yummy hot and they're just about as yummy cold or room temperature. You can make a lot at a time and keep them in the fridge. Green beans, cauliflower, peppers, mushrooms, brussel sprouts, asparagus, carrots - you name it.

Roasted or grilled veggies, drizzled with olive oil are yummy served cold.

A few other options that are sort of salad like, but still yummy (and not a lettuce leaf in sight). All are served chilled.

Sliced tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves
Cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, lime juice and cilantro, chopped and mixed.
Eggplant slices, grilled, chilled, and drizzled with balsamic vinegar
Ratatouille - eggplant, onion, garlic, zucchini, bell pepper. Yummy served cold.

Hm. I kow there are other cold things that I do with veggies, but I can't think of them right now. I'll have to go look up recipes!

.

2 cups Diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms, 1 Can strained black beans, 1 small can black olives, 1/2 diced cucumber, a little cumin, and wishbone light creamy ceasar - yumm

Vegetables. The best food in the world. Avocados are the best. You spoon them right out of the skin. I like summer squash raw, too. Zucchini. Thick slices of beefsteak tomatoes with cheese, basil, olive oil. But whatever you do, don't kill it all with low-rent salad dressing and for God's sake, don't use any of that fat-free junk out there. Go with olive oil, a good vinegar, and garlic. Mix it all well, and you've got homemade salad dressing. You can also infuse oil with different flavors. I have four or five bottles of olive oil that have different herbs in them: rosemary, garlic, oregano, sage. You get the idea. Just don't let the stuff become anaerobic (airtight) or you'll have yucky oil.

What about some different veggies? I love veggies, but I have hard time stomaching raw broccoli and carrots. Snap peas are great raw, so crisp and sweet. Red or yellow bell peppers are also great raw. Personally, I'm a big fan of raw fennel or anise bulb (like celery, but tastier). I also love kohlrabi raw; it tastes a lot like jicama. Radishes have a great kick to them. Or what about a bowl of cherry tomatoes?

Also, I make a Yogurt Vegetable Salad out of chickpeas, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes. It's one of my favorite ways to eat veggies.

And, this recipe for Spicy Cabbage Slaw from Cooking Light came out great and would be pretty portable in a cooler.

Such wonderful ideas!

I've got so many things to add to my shopping list now! Thanks, everyone! Keep 'em coming!