Vegetable Side Dishes

FAQS

How Can I Get My Kids to Eat Vegetables?

• Teach them. Help them understand why vitamins are important for our bodies, and how eating vegetables is healthy.
• Don’t give up! It can take serving a veggie up to 10 times before a child will eat it without fuss, and maybe even like it. Taste buds also change, so if a child still won’t eat it, try again months or even years later. 
• Change the way it’s prepared. I have a child who will eat raw broccoli, but not cooked.  
• Be a good example by eating your veggies, and not being too vocal about vegetables that you don’t like.
• Let them help. When you let them help prepare the food, they are more likely to be willing to eat it.
• Make veggies fun. Celery by itself, no way! Add peanut butter and raisins, call it “Ants on a Log”, and it gets eaten. 

What Are Common Seasonings That Pair Well With Vegetables?

• Fresh herbs (or dried) like oregano, cloves, fennel, basil, parsley, thyme, tarragon, and dill.
• Add a spritz of citrus juice (lemon juice or lime juice) for a bright flavor. 
• Seasonings. Salt, black pepper, cinnamon, garlic, cumin, onion, nutmeg, curry, and paprika are common spices to use.
• Increase the sweetness naturally using maple syrup or honey.

What Are The Different Ways to Cook And Serve Vegetables?

• Casserole. Bake times vary depending on the size and other ingredients included in the dish. 
• Raw. The healthiest, quickest, and easiest way to eat vegetables is raw. Think veggie trays with dip or a salad. 
• Steaming. Great for tender vegetables, but can work for any kind.
• Boiling. Place veggies directly into boiling water, along with a bit of salt for flavor.
• Blanching. Boil the vegetables until tender, then immediately run cold water over them, to keep them from cooking further. 
• Sautéing. Heat a pan of oil and cook veggies until crisp and tender.
• Stir fry. Many people use this term interchangeably with sautéing, but there is a difference. The ingredients are the same, but you use HIGH heat to cook the vegetables much faster.
• Frying. Delicious, but the least healthy way to cook veggies. Airfry for a healthier option.
• Roasting. Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil, and add seasonings. Roast in the oven to bring out delicious caramelized flavors in vegetables.
• Grilling. Cut vegetables so they are large enough that they won’t fall through the grill grates or cook in a basket.