Many special occasions include rich and indulgent dishes as part of the celebration—and we love those! However, vegetables dishes, like Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole and many others can also be a memorable part of the holidays. This season, we hope you enjoy your favorite dishes and add nutrition to your plate with these crave-worthy veggie tips. Our chefs share simple tips that celebrate and enhance the flavors and textures of veggies so they can shine this season and beyond.
Make Veggies Taste Great
Taste drives most food choices. While we know how healthy veggies are, they can be bland or bitter and often get overcooked. These chef-approved techniques can help balance the bitter taste and make your veggie dishes delicious.
Chef Tips
- Reach for fresh lemon juice, parsley, fresh cracked pepper and a dash of salt to make veggies pop.
- Add dried herbs early in the cooking process to allow the flavor to develop as they absorb moisture.
- Sprinkle fresh cilantro, parsley, or thyme after cooking to finish the veggie dish with a burst of flavor and color. Try this Winter Vegetable and Grain Stuffed Butternut Squash recipe.
- Pair unfamiliar veggies with a more familiar one—like turnips and beets with sweet potatoes.
- Roast veggies to impart a more robust, rich flavor from caramelization and browning. Try our Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Squash with Cranberries & Pine Nuts recipe.
- Add as little as ¼ cup ofSwansonChicken Brothto a skillet of olive oil and garlic when sautéing veggies.
Texture Matters
Texture preferences play a big role in the likability of many foods, including vegetables. Rubbery green beans or soggy broccoli can be a real turn off while a beet that’s tender without being mushy can increase likability. These tips can help you get the right texture for different types of veggies.
Chef Tips
- Amp up your crudités by featuring sliced zucchini, sugar snap peas and blanched green beans, pair with a yogurt-based dressing or dip.
- Shred carrots, or other veggies like summer squash, in with prepared pasta sauce to add texture.
- Avoid grainy texture with greens like Swiss chard, that grow close to the ground. Let them sit in water for about 2 minutes, then lift, rinse grit from bottom of bowl and repeat about 3 times.
- Select starchy veggies like winter squash or sweet potatoes that provide a smooth and creamy texture to puree in a soup or sauce.
- Cut veggies in uniform size for roasting or grilling, this promotes even cooking, and thus consistent texture. Try this savory side recipe for Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables.
- Spread veggies in a thin layer across a baking sheet to roast. It’s better to use two pans if needed because overcrowding will steam, rather than roast your veggies.
Make Vegetables Convenient
The holiday season comes with jam-packed schedules. You might have more time to carefully prepare vegetables for special celebrations, but the rest of the time people need convenience. Keeping other forms of vegetables on hand like frozen mixed veggies, canned corn, jarred Italiansauces,vegetable juice, andveggie-based soupscan help people meet daily veggie goals. Make the most of your time with these tips for preparing and cooking veggies.
Chef Tips
- Take time to slice/chop veggies. Keep them in the fridge for snacking, to sauté or toss into a stir-fry another day.
- Roast or steam extra veggies to reheat or repurpose throughout the week.
- Have frozen veggies like bell peppers as a quick option when the unexpected happens.
- Make a large batch of our Hearty Veggie Beef Chili—it makes enough for several family dinners and freezes well.
Help veggies shine!
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