Wow RitzyFritz: I Love everyone of your ideas Can you come to my house and cook my Veggies for me-- I'm sure it would help!
LOL!! I would love to, but I have every confidence that you will do just fine!
RitzyFritz & Nelie: How do you steam your veggies? In the microwave or stovetop or special steamer?
I have a 2-piece pot where the top pot has holes in the bottom (almost like a double boiler). Put the water in the bottom pot, put the pot with holes in it (filled with veggies) on top of that, and then the lid. When the water starts boiling, the steam enters the holes and cooks the veggies to perfection. I HAVE used an apparatus that is like a stainless steel folding basket that sits in the bottom of the pot and works just like the above pot - the water in the pot, basket in next, veggies on top of the basket, lid on top. You can find these at most department stores (Wal-Mart, Target, etc - or any store that sells kitchen wares) for about $5. Here is a link to the very thing I'm talking about http://www.applesource.com/steamer.html . The microwave works too! There are usually instructions on the package as to how to do this.
RitzyFritz, When you roast the veggies with the chicken--do you just put them in the bottom of the pan?
I spray my pan with cooking spray, place my seasoned chicken in next, then place sliced mushrooms, onions, red/green/yellow peppers, zuchinni, squash - whatever sounds good! - on top. Lightly spray with cooking spray, cover with foil, and cook until the meat is done. It is best to take the foil off the last few minutes and let them brown a little. I have forgotten to take the foil off before, but they were still good - just a little mush-ier than I like. This also makes the meat have a great flavor! I also LOVE putting veggies on skewers and putting them on the grill!!! Just season them with what you like, skewer them, grill until desired tenderness, and then spray with FF spray butter when they are done. YUMMMMMMMYYY!! LOL!!