5 Recipes To Liven Up Your Veggies

We all have to do it, eating our veggies is a part of maintaining healthy living for ourselves in the adult world. But these green fibrous friends can be unappetizing and unappealing for what we are really craving. How do we reach a happy medium with our health and cravings? Here are 5 recipes to liven up your veggies.

This recipe is garuenteed to liven up your veggie game.

1. Roasted Veggies

These healthy friends are packed full of fibers and vitamins that we need in our daily lives. And the best part? They taste great! I personally love this recipe of the soft broccoli and tender onions coupled with the sweet aromatics of the garlic. If you’re looking for a sweet kick to your veggies, try this recipe out. 

Ingredients

• 2 cups of broccoli florets
• 2 cups butternut squash, chopped
• 2 cups of cremini mushrooms,
• 1 squash, sliced and cut into quarters ( note, I found that yellow squash works best for this)
• 1 zucchini, sliced and quartered
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 large pinch dried thyme
• 1 large inch salt
• 1 large pinch pepper
• 4 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced

Directions

Preheat your oven to 425F. Oil a baking sheet or coat with a nonstick baking spray. Start by placing your broccoli down first, followed by your mushrooms, zucchini, squash, pepper and onion on a single layer. Lightly drizzle your olive oil, balsamic, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until tender. Serve and enjoy. 

This recipe is perfect for family get togethers.

2. Warm Potato Salad

This recipe is for all the potato lovers out there who crave a little more out of their typical turnip. This recipe has the perfect combination of crunch of bacon and soft tender egg. This recipe has the perfect sense of rich softness and crunch to keep you coming back for more. 

Ingredients

• 6 slices of bacon, diced
• 3 pounds of mixed potatoes, halved
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch pepper
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 splash red wine vinegar
• 1 shallot, minced
• 2 tbsp chives, chopped
• 3 tbsp dill, chopped
• 4 soft boiled eggs, sliced and halved

Directions

Start by heating up a large skillet over medium high heat. Proceed to add your bacon and cook until brown and crispy for 6 to 8 minutes. Drain your excess fat and transfer over to a paper towel lined plate. Next, place your potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with cold salted water. Make sure your potatoes are thoroughly covered. Bring to a rolling boil and then simmer until tender. This should take around 5 minutes. Drain well and set to the side. In a large mixing bowl, combine your olive oil, Dijon, vinegar, shallot, dill and chives. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add in your potatoes and bacon until it is thoroughly combined. Top with your eggs. Serve and enjoy. 

This recipe is great for livening up your corn game this year.

3. Grilled Corn With Cilantro Lime Butter

Looking for a way to up your corn game without upping that calorie count? This recipe is a must try for any corn lover who is looking for something more out of their veggies. This recipe offers that perfect kick while also still maintaining a little butter in your life to liven up your corn. When you’re looking for something to impress your guests and yourself, try this recipe out. 

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter, brought to room temp
• 3 cloves of garlic, pressed
• ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
• Zest of 1 lime
• 1 pinch chili powder
• 1 pinch paprika
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch pepper
• 8 ears of corn
• 1 tbsp canola oil
• 1 lime, cut into wedges

Directions

In a medium bowl, combine your butter, cilantro, garlic, lime zest, chili powder and paprika. Be sure to also add your salt and pepper, set to the side. Preheat your grill or oven to medium heat. Peel back the outer layer of the husks, but be sure to leave them attached at the base of the ear. Be sure to not remove the inner silks of the corn! Remove and discard silks, rinse your corn and pat it dry using paper towels. Brush your corn with the canola oil and season with your salt and pepper. Add your corn to the grill or oven and cook until slightly charred and tender. This should take around 12 to 15 minutes. Peel down the remaining husks and spread your butter. Arrange your lime wedges. Serve and enjoy. 

When you’re looking for some texture in your life, this recipe has it all!

4. Orange Quinoa Salad

This recipe adds that perfect sense of crunch and zest to your veggies. This recipe has a little bit of everything, salad, the zest of orange and tender quinoa. When you’re looking to up your flavor game and reduce your calorie count, this recipe is perfect for you!

Ingredients

• 1 ⅓ cups of water
• ⅔ cups quinoa, rinsed
• 2 cups of romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 can of mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 can of garbanzo beans, rinsed and rained
• 1 cucumber, halved and sliced
• ½ cup red onion, chopped
• 1 navel orange
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch pepper

Directions

Begin by taking a large saucepan, adding your water. Bring to a rolling boil and add your quinoa. Reduce the heat and let cook covered for 12 to 14 minutes. By this time the liquid should be fully absorbed. Remove from heat and gently fluff with a fork. Next, in a large bowl, combine your lettuce, mandarin oranges, beans, cucumber, onion and quinoa. In a separate small bowl, grate your zest. Next, cut your orange and squeeze the juice over the zest. Add a little olive oil, salt and pepper. Lightly drizzle over your salad. Serve and enjoy. 

This recipe is perfect for a fast and easy meal.

5. Baked Asparagus

This recipe is a great way to introduce this fibrous friend into your diet while being great tasting. The zest of the lemon and the tender crunch of the baked garlic, make for a match made in heaven with the asparagus. If you’re looking to really outdo yourself with your veggie prowess, try this recipe out. 

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lemon, halved
• 1 bunch of asparagus, rinsed and patted dry
• 5 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced

Directions

Begin by preheating your oven to 425F. While that is preheating, prepare your asparagus. Lightly place your asparagus in a baking safe dish before drizzling your olive oil over the top. Lightly toss with tongs or your hands to thoroughly coat the asparagus with the olive oil. Add in your minced garlic and lemon juice and place to the oven. Let bake for 9 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat. Serve and enjoy. 

These recipes are a great way to bring life back into your veggie game. They are fast and easy and best of all, flavorful for your next meal.