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Author Topic: Making Steamed Vegetables More Interesting  (Read 848 times)

Offline DWest

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Making Steamed Vegetables More Interesting
« on: January 19, 2012, 11:13:14 AM »
Hi Everyone --

I'm relatively new to the Paleo Diet (maybe 6 weeks), and I've had great results.  Tons of energy, lost a nagging 12 pounds that I've been trying to lose since I graduated from college 13 years ago, and I have tons more mental energy than I used to.

I'm a big fan of steamed vegetables (brussel sprouts and broccoli are my favorites) as a way of getting some good healthy food when I don't have time to cook, which sadly is most of the time lately.

The problem is that steamed veggies can get VERY BORING after a while.  I want to keep them as a big part of my diet, they're easy and healthy, but I want to figure out some way of making them more interesting. 

Those of you who are into steam veggies: what do you do to make them more interesting?  What sorts of spices or other things do you add to make the monotony?  What are your favorite steamed veggies.

Thanks in advance.
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Offline PaleoRedHead

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Re: Making Steamed Vegetables More Interesting
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2012, 11:45:46 AM »
I definitely add my favorite oils/fats to give it a richer flavor.

Any variety of spices, depending on your meal theme. For Italian-ish I do oregano/basil, cumin, paprika, fresh ground pepper. For an Indian flair, I do garam masala, chilly powder, turmeric. I have probably 40 different spices easily, so pick up a few new ones if you just have the standards. Give them a try. I sometimes just take a 1/4c of my veggies and spice them up to test it out before making a whole batch.

My favorite veggies to steam are broccoli, cauliflower, squash (zucchini, but I do like yellow ok), and carrot.

Also, one thing to mention is I personally prefer to cook my vegetables in a pan because it's much easier to get the texture you want. Steaming so easily over cooks and then you have mush.

Have fun!
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Offline avelin

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Re: Making Steamed Vegetables More Interesting
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2012, 12:56:54 PM »
+1 Red.

I'd add that you can easily make up garlic and herb oils to dribble on top.

I've lately taken to steaming with 100% dried garlic or onion.
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Offline Jean

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Re: Making Steamed Vegetables More Interesting
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2012, 03:12:34 PM »
I'm always looking for ways to add more fat to my meals so I add fat to steamed veges.

I use butter so that makes it easy. A big slab of butter is good on any kind of steamed veges. I also make up herb butter with unsalted cultured butter and fresh herbs (usually "fine herbes" - parsley, tarragon, chervil and chives), which makes a nice change from salted butter and it's also great on fish. Hollandaise sauce is also yummy.

If you don't want to use butter but are OK with bacon, brassicas taste great with bacon! Chopped fine and fried up, then toss the steamed brussel sprouts/whatever in the tasty fatty mess.
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Offline samjohn

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Re: Making Steamed Vegetables More Interesting
« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2012, 03:20:30 PM »
Hide them under a steak.
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The answer to your question is 'eat more fat'.

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Offline goodsamaritan

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Re: Making Steamed Vegetables More Interesting
« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2012, 10:17:15 PM »
Quote from: DWest on January 19, 2012, 11:13:14 AM
Hi Everyone --

I'm relatively new to the Paleo Diet (maybe 6 weeks), and I've had great results.  Tons of energy, lost a nagging 12 pounds that I've been trying to lose since I graduated from college 13 years ago, and I have tons more mental energy than I used to.

I'm a big fan of steamed vegetables (brussel sprouts and broccoli are my favorites) as a way of getting some good healthy food when I don't have time to cook, which sadly is most of the time lately.

The problem is that steamed veggies can get VERY BORING after a while.  I want to keep them as a big part of my diet, they're easy and healthy, but I want to figure out some way of making them more interesting. 

Those of you who are into steam veggies: what do you do to make them more interesting?  What sorts of spices or other things do you add to make the monotony?  What are your favorite steamed veggies.

Thanks in advance.

I believe in listening to instincts.
If you feel that those vegetables are boring, then stop eating them.
Eat something else that interests you.

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Offline AllyBelly

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Re: Making Steamed Vegetables More Interesting
« Reply #6 on: January 21, 2012, 12:27:58 AM »
Quote from: Jean on January 19, 2012, 03:12:34 PM
I'm always looking for ways to add more fat to my meals so I add fat to steamed veges.

I use butter so that makes it easy. A big slab of butter is good on any kind of steamed veges. I also make up herb butter with unsalted cultured butter and fresh herbs (usually "fine herbes" - parsley, tarragon, chervil and chives), which makes a nice change from salted butter and it's also great on fish. Hollandaise sauce is also yummy.

If you don't want to use butter but are OK with bacon, brassicas taste great with bacon! Chopped fine and fried up, then toss the steamed brussel sprouts/whatever in the tasty fatty mess.

So whats the trick to good herb butter? Or is it simply herbs smashed up in butter and re-set?
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Offline Talkurt

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Re: Making Steamed Vegetables More Interesting
« Reply #7 on: January 21, 2012, 04:29:19 AM »
Or unless you just really love steaming try something like pan sauteed in fat. Thats about the only way i do my veggies. Fatty burger comes out, monster hand full of spinach goes in and soaks up the fat that is lest over.
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Offline NewCaveMama

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Re: Making Steamed Vegetables More Interesting
« Reply #8 on: January 24, 2012, 12:55:04 PM »
Brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and beets are wonderful roasted in the oven! I toss them with whatever fat, whatever spices I have and then roast in a 425 degree oven till done. Absolutely yummy!!!!
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Re: Making Steamed Vegetables More Interesting
« Reply #8 on: January 24, 2012, 12:55:04 PM »
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