One of my favourite ways to get more veggies in me is to make a veggie stew, stash it in the fridge and then use it in different ways. Here's a basic recipe but it can be tinkered with depending on what kind of veggies you like and what's available.
In a dutch oven heat a few tbsp of olive oil.
Chop up the following coarsely and add to hot oil.
(It helps to have all the veggies pre-chopped)
1 or 2 large onions
Garlic (you decide how many cloves) (minced or crushed)
Green and/or red peppers
Zucchini
Eggplant
Carrots (watch your portions)
Mushrooms
Saute it all until it begins to brown and soften. Add peeled fresh tomatoes or tinned diced tomatoes, chopped parsley and any other herbs and spices you like and season with salt and pepper to taste. Allow to cook until veggies are just tender. Don't overcook. It's good to let the liquid evaporate somewhat.
Use this mixture to simmer chicken pieces in. Or, make low carb meatballs, brown them and then simmer them in this mixture. Also great with most other meats. You can vary the flavour by changing your herbs and spices.
Try it served on a bed of spaghetti squash which has been cooked until just tender-crisp and then shredded with forks to resemble pasta.
Another veggie idea.
If you're making green beans, don't just serve them plain. Take a little butter and brown some sliced mushrooms and chopped onions with parsley and then mix this in with the cooked beans.
If you like cabbage but are sick of having it plain, try cooking some chopped onions and green peppers in melted butter until they soften, add chopped cabbage and a tin of diced tomatoes. Cook together until cabbage is done. Sprinkle with dill. Serve with a dollop of sour cream. Yummy. If you have some leftover ham, it's great simmered with this mixture. This also goes well with pork chops.
Try frying zucchini slices in butter or olive oil with onion, garlic and mushrooms and add a few peeled chopped tomatoes. Simmer just until the zucchini is tender. Season with basil, salt and pepper.
Ever tried jicama? It looks like a potato but when you peel it the flesh is crispy and juicy like an apple and it is great cut into strips and dipped into a sour cream/salsa mixture. You can also grate it and make it into a slaw type of salad.
There are so many wonderful veggies it would be a shame to restrict yourself to just the same old ones cooked the same old way. Expand your horizons while you shrink your waistline. Enjoy.
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boring food
