Don’t Fear The Veggies
For a decade, at least, I cooked vegetables from a can. That’s it. CAN ONLY. Then, a few years ago, I bought a rice steamer. It came with a vegetable tray for above the rice. Sometimes, if I was feeling super-fancy, I would put fresh vegetables in that steamer basket.
Vegetables: Canned and Steamed. That’s it.
Now, there are a few random recipes I’ve cooked over the years that have integrated fresh vegetables in other ways. My vegetarian lasagna, cabbage rolls, etc. But for the most part? For the last few years it was can/steamed. Steamed/Canned.
Last week I bought a book called The Happy Herbivore for some recipes that would help me step out of the routine a little bit. It’s a great book filled with easy recipes and it taught me something: Don’t Be Afraid Of Vegetables.
For the past week I’ve cooked fresh vegetables every night. I’ve oven-roasted, sauteed, pain-fried in steak grease (WHAT?) and I haven’t used a recipe but ONCE. The rest of the time? I opened the fridge, saw what fresh veggies I had, AND JUST COOKED THEM. That book exposed me to so many ways to cook vegetables that I’m not longer scared of them. I AM A CHANGED WOMAN. The other night I just threw some fresh asparagus and some fresh brussel sprouts and some fresh red pepper in a dish with a tad bit of oil and I roasted the crap out of them. SO GOOD.
And Wes has helped me almost every night. He’s put peppers in dishes and cabbage on pots. He will grow up knowing only the Kim That Cooks Vegetables. And I’m quite proud of that. In two years I’ve done it, I’ve gone from Stouffer’s Frozen Dinners and Canned Vegetables to roasted vegetables and pan-fried pork chops. I’m not going to write a recipe book or host a cooking show or anything, but my youngest child will grow up eating REAL food cooked by his Mom. And since he helps me all the time, he won’t be scared of vegetables, like I was. He’ll always know how to cook them.
And how to wear them on his head.
The cabbage head is a truly great legacy
He’s so freakin cute. Veggies are good! I buy lots but often forget to use them, and just make salads instead. GENIUS. It’s those drawers at the bottom of the fridge, I think, hiding them from me!
Good for you! Nothing better than fresh vegetables! And fabulous that Wes helps in the kitchen. My daughter always tries, but I get frustrated. Seriously. What kind of mother am I?
The trick is that if your daughter is helping you, you have someone to blame if something tastes bad!
Roasted root vegetables are so good. Try grilled asparagus – just toss with a little olive oil first.
delurking to say I am SO impressed with your food evolution!
Good for you! I joined a csa rather blindly and was forced to learn how to cook things I’d never even heard of. My kids have adapted and we’re all eating so much better.
A little pork fat does wonders for veggies too! I now keep my bacon fat around and put a spoonful in with greens and green beans. A simple way to cook veggies is a “steam-saute” where you put them in a pan with a little water and a dollop of oil or fat and cover the pan. Give them about 10 minutes, then uncover them, crank up the heat and saute until the water is gone. Adjust that time for different veggies, but that’s what I do for both the beans and greens.
Kids in the kitchen! Yea!
I used to be afraid of cooking root vegetables, and I’m a vegetarian … and have been for eight-plus years. In the last year, I have become OBSESSED with roasting brussel sprouts with a little bit of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Add salt, cracked black pepper and some red pepper flakes, and I’m a happy guy.
Love that last picture! And the rest, oh yes. I often joke that the me of five years ago would hate the me of now, and all that home-cooked, food-dye/salt/processing free food is a lot of it. I’m still slow on the veggies (all winter, frozen veg steamed), so I’m picking up the Happy Herbivore- thanks for the inspiration yet again!
It is awesome that your son will grow up seeing vegetables cooked in a lot of ways, and tasting good. I hate vegetables, and it’s probably partly because I never had ones that were prepared very well. Way to go!
LoL growing up knowing only the mum that cooks vegetables~~ =P xx having read your blog for a while, the humor really cracks me up xx