10 Ways to Make Vegetables Taste Better

Recently I had another question from one of my readers saying she simply cannot get her husband to eat vegetables. Apparently he tells her when she makes them taste good then he’ll eat them! Sounds like someone else I know (my hubby!)

I’ve dealt a little with this subject in the past, and it seems having a dislike for vegetables is a rather common problem.

So, what can you do if you want to be healthy, but vegetables simply aren’t your thing?

Here are my top 10 tips to help you out:

1. Pack in the flavour
Just because vegetables are healthy doesn’t mean they have to taste bland. Add extra flavour to them with a little pepper, garlic powder, herbs, spices, or citrus juices.

For example, a light squeeze of lemon or lime juice after you steam your vegetables can add a nice surprise. Or, try sautéing them with herbs, olive oil, and garlic. You could also add dried or fresh spices, such as jalapeño peppers for a spicy alternative.

2. Don’t overcook
There’s nothing worse (in my opinion at least) than overcooked, soggy veggies – yuk!

Remember, you only need to cook them for a short time. This not only helps to maintain the majority of the nutrients, but most veggies taste better when they have a little bite.

3. Presentation is everything
No one wants to eat something that’s been slopped on the plate like a dog’s dinner! Instead try to think of how your dinner will look in advance, and then choose vegetables which will enhance the look i.e. lots of bright colours/textures etc.

Think broccoli with chicken, stir-fry vegetables with white fish, green beans with salmon, and so on.

4. Be sneaky!
If you don’t like large chunks of vegetables in your food, try grating or puréeing them into soups, casseroles, curries, and pastas dishes – this can be a great way to mask the flavour and texture.

5. Vary your cooking method
Whatever cooking method you choose – grilling, roasting, boiling, steaming, BBQ-ing  – it will create different flavours in the end result. So, if one method of cooking doesn’t do it for you, try something else.

How about grilled zucchini, BBQ-ed red pepper, or roasted pumpkin?

6. Get stuffin’
Stuffing vegetables is a great way to give them a really different taste.

Artichokes, tomatoes, mushrooms, and bell peppers are perfect for stuffing – fill them with sautéed onions, garlic, herbs and top with wholegrain bread crumbs and a little cheese.

Alternatively, make up your own recipe with whatever you have in the kitchen.

7. Make a healthy dip
Try blending up a mix of frozen spinach, diced onion, reduced fat sour cream and a tablespoon of lemon juice, then serve with a selection of raw vegetables.

Or try out this asparagus dip recipe from Never Say Diet

Ingredients:

24 spears fresh asparagus, trimmed, coarsely chopped and steamed until tender (5 to 7 minutes)
1/2 cup edamame beans (boiled until tender, about 7 minutes)
1 tablespoon chopped coriander
2 cloves garlic (roasted in toaster oven for 10 minutes)
1 cup reduced fat Greek yoghurt
4 green onions, sliced

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender and process to desired consistency. Refrigerate for about one hour before serving.

8. Go raw
In my home we eat quite a bit of our veg raw for the simple reason that we prefer it this way. If you haven’t tried more than a raw carrot before, why not give raw veggies a go?

Normally I will make a mini starter of raw veg and we eat that first, then follow with meat and carbs. I usually go for something like baby spinach leaves, raw broccoli, red peppers, tomatoes, raw cauliflower, and green beans, but the options are endless! Serve with a little natural yoghurt for dipping, or a light vinaigrette dressing.

9. Mix fruit with veg
Why not try adding a bit of zesty flavour to your vegetables by throwing in some fruit? Start off with baby spinach leaves, then add orange segments, sliced strawberries and top with some nuts and a raspberry-based vinaigrette.

Or, try this interesting recipe combination from Never Say Diet for grapefruit and avocado salad

Ingredients:

1 cup sliced cucumber
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
1 large grapefruit, sectioned, reserving juice
1 fully ripened avocado, halved, pitted and sliced
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 teaspoons honey
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

In a small bowl combine the cucumber and onion. In a medium bowl, place 3 tablespoons grapefruit juice with oil, honey and salt. Add cucumber mixture, then add the grapefruit sections and sliced avocado; toss gently.

10. Drink them
If eating cooked or raw vegetables is still proving troublesome for you, why not try juicing them? Do remember however, that no matter how many glasses you drink it will only count for one serving of vegetables per day.

Do you have any tips for making a veggie-hater into a veggie-lover? I’d love to hear your suggestions!

Photo source LollyKnit