Can someone please help me cook veggies?

[DisnyMama]

I have been trying for years and for some reason I just do not have a knack for cooking vegetables. The last time I tried to cook my favs which are zuchini and yellow squash they stunk when I cooked them and turned a funky brown color? I need all the help I can get and some good recipes for all kinds of different veggies because we just don't eat them cause I can't cook them.

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

The boards are going down in a few minutes, and I don't have enough time to type out help for you... but I can help you! When the boards come back up, bump your thread back up to the top or PM me. I know there is help for you, from me and other veggie-loving DISers!

 

[ilovejack02]

LOL it stunk??

I saute a few onions and squash in margarine and let cook until soft. Yum yum.

You can also buy yourself a metal steamer that fits in a pot and place what ever veggies you want in there , salt and pepper and add a little margarine and let steam to desired crispness. I like mine slightly crisp, not a fan of soggy veggies. I usually do cauliflower, broccoli and small baby carrots in there. I buy Walmart's frozen Asparagus, it is AWESOME, comes in its own steamer box, stick in microwave when done, I use a little butter, salt and lemon juice. Once again I like it a little crisp, not limp. Also you can do your veggies in oven, put squash, zucchini on baking sheet, salt and pepper add a little olive oil and roast at 350 till done. You can also do asparagus that way, dont forget to snap the end off, its very easy, just bend and it will automatically break off.
There are so many ways to cook veggies.. i could go on and on.

 

[poohandwendy]

I use a microwave steamer for most of my veggies like corn, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, beans, peas. They really turn out perfect every time (I also don't like soggy veggies)

When I saute veggies, like zucchini or squash, I find that using a higher temperature (med high) and tossing them constantly is the key to tender but not overcooked. (I use olive oil to saute)

 

[sha_lyn]

About 6 months ago I started cooking almost all my veggies in the oven.
I usually bake or broil meat (or make casseroles etc). I figured why waste more energy using the stove top or microwave.
Most frozen veggies take 30 min at 375, or 45 min at 350.

Tonight I cooked 2lbs frozen organic brocolli with salt, pepper, old bay and butter in a covered baking dish.
Often I will roast the veggies like Ilovejack02 described

How did you cook the squash?

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

My favorite way is one I learned from Ina on food network and we use it alot.
Olive oil, salt & pepper in a hot skillet (I use my Grandmas ols cast iron) add veggies and cook on high and quickly. Cooking them this way has also started my family eating veggies that they would never touch such as brussel sprouts, green cabbage & asparagus. They carmalize a little and are just delicious.
When I do it with zuccini or yellow squash I add parmesean cheese and the end so it gets gooey.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I also will take squash, zuchini, onions, and bell peppers and grill them on my george forman indoor grill. They come out soft (not too soft) and sweeter tasting which is great especially in the summer.

Do you like corn on the cob? Take each individual corn on the cob if they are larger, sprinkle some parmesan cheese and butter on each and wrap each one up. If they are little, I use 2 to a section of foil and I roast in the over for about 35 mins at 375. If you really want to be decadent, wrap each corn on the cob with a slice of raw bacon then wrap them up and put in the oven. I actually saw this where they grill it but I don't have a grill outside so I use the oven.

I also do as others have mentioned and use the olive oil and salt/pepper then either grill on my little indoor grill or put in the oven. You can also coat them in breadcrumbs for somethind different. I also have used zesty italian salad dressing on squash and zuchini. I take my ziploc bag and pour the sliced up veggies in then pour enough salad dressing to coat and then I either grill or bake in the oven. A different flavor if tired of the same ole stuff.

I take raw broccli chopped up and put it some boiling hot water for about 3 mins then take it out and put in some cold water. I store it like this just to have to dip in dressings or put in salads. I've also taken chopped up broccli and put in a hot skillet with some olive oil or soy sauce, lots of garlic, and some red pepper flakes. Stir fry it for about 4 mins tops and gives a good flavor and you can garlic to taste.

If you go to foodnetwork.com and type in veggie recipes all kinds of recipes will pop up and they are rated easy to difficult and also have user feedback if they were good or not.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

OK..your favs are zucchi and yellow squash?
You are really just heating them, not cooking them as they cook quickly.

Last time I cooked them I used Olive Oil, tossed in the veggies, and added some salt and lime juice.

What are you cooking your veggies in?

Generally of you are stir frying you use olive oil.
Steam the rest on the stove top or oven.

Never use margarine or butter for cooking. You can toss that in at the end before serving.

So steam or stir fry, then toss your flavors in at the end before you serve.

 

[MushyMushy]

I bought a rice cooker/vegetable steamer and I really enjoy it!

But, regarding zucchini/yellow squash, I typically cook it one of three ways. I'll stir fry it in a little bit of oil. They're done really fast, so you really only need a few minutes. Sometimes I just dust them with a little flour and fry them to a crisp. Yum. In the summer, I'll wrap them in foil and put them on the grill with my meats.

 

[MAKmom]

Frozen vegetables are superior than fresh unless you are cooking them the day they were picked. For peas, spinach, corn, broccoli & string beans I buy frozen & microwave them covered for about 5 min. No need to add water. This steams them & they can be served in the same bowl.

I also microwave covered asparagus & carrots both bought fresh. I add about 1 tablespoon of water.

I like using Corningware for the Microwave.

 

[Beth]

I'm a real picky eater and don't like a lot of vegetables... but just started eating yellow squash and zucchini in the last couple of years.

I use a microwave steamer, also. (Tupperware, actually.)

I get fresh vegetables, and use chicken broth instead of water to steam....

Once they're cooked, I will often season them with some (lite) parmesan cheese, fat-free-butter-spray, and garlic salt...

.....With all of those flavors - that's probably why I'm willing to eat them, huh?!?

I also use my steamer to steam fresh green beans, but normally use water instead of the chicken broth for those...

 

[DisMN]

I find steaming in the microwave helps them keep their color and texture a bit better.....
and if I'm looking for a bit more taste, more of a roasty flavor then I used the hot cast iron skillet and some light oil to quickly stir fry the vegies. A little salt and pepper and you're all set.

Enjoy your vegies!!

 

[grlpwrd]

I mostly use my vegetable steamer. I don't use a microwave anymore, but if you do make sure you don't use plastic.

Or I have used my toaster oven and regular oven to cook vegetables. I add only olive oil and pepper.

For a step beyond cooking "plain" vegetables, there are lots of wonderful recipe websites out there, like http://vegweb.com/index.php?board=164.0 and http://www.recipegoldmine.com/veg/veg.html, and good vegetarian cookbooks which have lots of yummy veggie recipes.

Hope this helps...