Useful extras

January 05, 2009

Simplify the sides

Submitted by SiteEditor Read more cooking, daily challenge, healthy eating, and home life
Challenge Yourself for: 24 Hours

Why not make your next meal easier by simplifying your side dishes? A healthful and basic way to prepare veggies is to roast them – think winter vegetables like potatoes, yams, carrots, turnips, peppers, and squash. Today, challenge yourself to keep your side dishes simple by adding one to the menu of your next meal. A dash of olive oil, a sprinkle of salt, and a roasting pan or grill – now, that’s the flavor of eating healthfully!

Track Your Progress

My Progress: Join this challenge and start watching your progress grow!

Community Progress: 89% success

Community Stats

191 participants 130 entries logged

28 comments Have something to add? Share it here.

  1. Beachpic
    javin70 5 months ago

    I took some yellow zucchini and put a little evoo and grilled them on my grill with salt and pepper with some pork chops with a dry rub and an easy summer salad of kirby cucumbers campari tomatoes and onions with balsamic vinegar

  2. User_48
    sandyw7388 10 months ago

    I did this one Monday night for dinner. I combined broccoli, cauliflower, sugar snap peas, & yellow squash; sauteed them in olive oil with garlic & herb seasoning. Hmm Hmm good!

  3. User_48
    sandyw7388 10 months ago

    Another easy one! I do this all the time. We love mixing veggies & either roasting them, stir frying, or putting them on the grill wrapped in tin foil. We mix squash, purple onions, potatoes, bell peppers, sugar snap peas, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, fresh green beans, etc. just go down the fresh vegetable isle and pick what you like. I usually put 3-4 veggies together and depending on how I’m preparing them, I use either olive oil or butter and I use a roasted herb & garlic seasoning made by McCormick. Sometimes, I get out my herb seasoning book and use herb combinations suggested depending on the veggies I’m cooking.

  4. Ryannm_1_edited
    klongs40 12 months ago

    I love roasting veggies. Last nite I tried yellow squash and leeks a little olive oil, salt & pepper it was great! Brussel sprouts – asparagus are favorites in my house

  5. San_diego_020
    amyers about 1 year ago

    I read a great suggestion on color your plate. A variety of colors helps make sure a variety of nutrients and vitamins make it in the diet.

  6. Jackie
    JackieOh about 1 year ago

    I’ve roasted root veggies, and steam a side of vegetables almost every night – but I’ve never roasted green vegetables. I want to thank “Brandes” and others for the inspiration to do so! I roasted broccoli, asparagus and green beans with minced garlic and EVOO – wonderful.

  7. Hpim2412
    slimladyinside about 1 year ago

    I snapped some fresh green beans and quarted a few red potaoes and steamed them in the steamer.

  8. User_48
    lilevarista about 1 year ago

    Improve Your Salad! Dark Romaine lettuce/Spinach + Arugula + Almond Slivers + Dried cranberries + Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oil is delicious, fast and easy. This salad packs a punch of healthy nutrients —folic acid, Omega 3s, and antioxidants — just to name a few!

  9. User_48
    mjkeith about 1 year ago

    Using your favorite variety, slice potatoes length wise into wedges. Put into a large bowl pour desired amount of olive oil over them, add your favorite seasoned salt or a combo of your favorite spices & herbs. Toss until well covered. Also tasty with Lemon Pepper seasoning. Layer in rows on cookie sheet. Bake at 350-375 (depending on size of wedges) till fork tender, about 40 min. We enjoy as is, but can be served with plain or seasoned yogurt, sour cream or your favorite dip on the side. Instead of steaming veggies in microwave,(which kills nutrients & changes the molecular structure of everything including water) put them in a frying pan with a couple tablespoons of water or broth (add more if needed) over “low” heat, season as desired, cover and stir occaionally. Be careful not to scorch. Takes a little longer, but essentially much healthier & worth it. Fresh or frozen veggies are the bomb. We prefer them firm to slightly crunchy. Depending on type of veg. approx. 10-20 minutes.

  10. User_48
    stef42678 about 1 year ago

    This is a great idea. I like to serve simple salads and vegetables with fresh herbs, and not a lot of fat and calories.

  11. User_48
    brandes about 1 year ago

    Last week I decided to roast my vegetables for dinner instead of steaming them in the microwave. It was fantastic. I took fresh greenbeans, asparagus and red & yellow peppers and tossed them w/herbs and a little olive oil. Put them in hot oven for 30 minutes and voila….it was delicious.

  12. User_48
    Grace12437 about 1 year ago

    I bake peeled potatoes that have been sliced almost all the way through, the slices are still connected on the side that touches the pan. Brush with olive oil and add your favorite seasoning. Bake 375 until browned. They are great!!

  13. Meezheadshot100x100_3_
    lkhammer about 1 year ago

    A great way to customize a steamer bag of frozen vegetables! Steaming in the microwave isn’t the only to make a vegetable. Olive oil does wonders.

  14. User_48
    Starbelly about 1 year ago

    My mom sautes baby carrots in a bit of nutmeg and maple syrup. It’s amaaaazing.

  15. User_48
    lizbeth001 about 1 year ago

    I tried a new recipe last night and my husband only likes things like canned grean beans….this new recipe made him even have seconds. :) Parsnips, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes with Italian dried herbs, salt & pepper mixed with olive oil…put on a roasting pan at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Turned out fantastic

  16. User_48
    gothgirl about 1 year ago

    It’s hard to get my husband to eat veggies but I am sure going to try. We are trying to eat healthier this year and every year from now on.

  17. User_48
    kellymac03 about 1 year ago

    Just about everynight we steam mixed fresh veggies with either a little lemon in the water or we put parsley or other fresh herbs ontop of veggies before steaming….......so good!

  18. User_48
    amandaf about 1 year ago

    We are big veggie people. All kinds …I tend to doll them up but simple is good, And just as nutritious.

  19. User_48
    hotmama42 about 1 year ago

    Because we have a HUGE garden every year and home can a lot of it, we have awesome homegrown veggies at almost every meal!!

  20. User_48
    bdrl8dnnvr about 1 year ago

    I love to buy fresh seasonal veggies, microwave them in a pyrex dish with a little seasoning, and freeze portions sized for quick meals. The natural flavors and vitamins are retained and best of all, they taste GREAT!