16 Velvety Melting Vegetable Recipes to Make Tonight (2024)

FAQs

What spices make vegetables taste better? ›

Using different seasonings can completely transform your plant-based cooking. Spices like chile powder, curry, smoked paprika, cinnamon, cumin, and black pepper can do wonders for vegetables. And never forget the most important seasoning: salt (just remember to add a little bit at a time and keep tasting).

Add a squeeze of lemon juice after you steam your vegetables. It can add a nice surprise to spinach or broccoli. Sauté with Herbs. To infuse your vegetables with flavor and mouth-watering aromas, sauté them in olive oil, garlic and herbs of your choice (basil, oregano, thyme, etc).

Salt is the bare minimum, and the right amount will make a huge difference. Add salt gradually and taste as you go, they should taste more flavourful but not outright salty. Try herbs and spices like paprika, cumin, oregano, chilli powder, curry powder, basil and more.

You can flavor with butter, salad dressing (Italian or any vinaigrette is good), lemon juice, flavored balsamic, or just herbs. Since you mentioned it, there are many vegetable dishes I enjoy that are essentially boiled to prepare.

Acidic fruits such as lemon, lime, orange and pineapple brighten flavors and add some zing. Certain dairy products add acidity and can be used to create vegetable dips or sauces. Even other vegetables that are acidic can balance more bitter ingredients, or add flavor to very mild ingredients.

Final answer: The question refers to a 'sauce', which is a thickened liquid used for seasoning and enhancing the flavor of foods. Sauces are integral to culinary practices for adding complexity to dishes, and they can include a wide range of ingredients such as herbs, spices, and wines.

Many restaurants roast or pan-fry their vegetable side dishes in bacon, butter, or other animal fat – or a mixture of these. Why? Because it makes veggies taste richer, more flavorful, and saltier than they would if you cooked them at home, which encourages you and other customers to keep coming back for more.

Salt significantly improves your veggie's taste and is also a flavor enhancer. Avoid adding herbs and spices without salt since it's the salt that makes all the flavors pop. Ethan Chlebowski suggests adding salt to chopped vegetables a few hours before you begin cooking to help the salt set in.

Place fresh herbs like basil or dill on top of your produce to steam (use a steamer with a deep handle to be sure vegetables are completely covered with water). Coat the vegetables with olive oil, salt and pepper before steaming to lock in flavor. Mince garlic and ginger for an extra flavor kick.

What to season vegetables with? ›

You can use fresh or dried herbs. If you are using dried, use less because the flavor is stronger. The amount will depend on how many veggies you are roasting. Spices – paprika, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric, garam masala, curry powder, crushed red pepper flakes, etc.

Any ground spice You can also just shake some ground spices on. Pepper, curry powder, cinnamon, pretty much anything that sprinkles and fits the profile you are looking for will work. If your spices are fresh ground, you will get even more taste for your buck. If you are boiling your veggies, your options open up.

Boiling vegetables is a great healthy alternative but can often seem like a bland way to cook them. Place salt and pepper in the water, as it boils. Adding Rosemary or Thyme as the water boils will ensure that the vegetables infuse with these strong and fragrant flavours – a simple way to jazz things up!

Roasting: This is another high-heat cooking method that brings out the best flavors in vegetables. Use a sheet pan and spread cubed or chopped veggies in a single layer. Don't overcrowd your pan, as moisture will release during cooking. They will wind up mushy or soggy if they're packed in too tightly.

Cilantro, basil, dill, and mint feel fresh and bright with raw or cooked veggies, and you can cut those and sprinkle them over your produce when you're ready to eat. Parsley, thyme, rosemary, sage, basil, and oregano are all best when cooked with your produce.

Avoid adding salt, sugar, cream and sauces. Flavour your vegetables with lemon juice, garlic, ginger, pepper, and herbs or spices instead of salt.