So Fresh, Vegan, Whole-Grain and Healthy

Oh, and did I forget to mention that it’s fast? Really, there’s nothing about this side dish that won’t appeal to everybody. Even better, you can substitute veggies, add nuts and still come up with a winner.

I’ve pretty much quit microwaving vegetables. It just makes them come out overdone and horrid. Instead, I bring out my old Black & Decker steamer. I really do mean old, as in nearly 20 years I’ve had the thing. It still produces just right, tender veggies that - given a quick toss in a saute pan with fresh herbs, oil and a bit of sea salt - are just as fast as microwaving yet far, far better.

Steaming just seems to retain the healthful color, shape, texture and flavor that microwaving doesn’t. I’m careful to cut the various vegetables in approximately the same size so they cook evenly. Tonight, I had some butternut squash and asparagus that needed to be used up. Hmmmm. Then how to combine that with some whole grain, sprouted corn tortillas?

I set the butternut squash and aparagus to steaming (for about 10 minutes), then when it was within a couple minutes of ready, I sauteed the strips of corn tortillas and fresh herbs in grapeseed oil with sea salt and pepper. I tossed in the veggies as the herbs and tortilla strips were nearly crispy, just to warm them through and coat with herbs and oil

It was totally great, served along side leftover hearty red chili, accompanied with a mixed green salad. Had the chili been vegan, then it would easily have satisfied the vegan/gluten intolerant/lactose intolerant among us. I could have added steamed broccoli florets, red bell pepper strips, toasted pine nuts for a bit more oomph.

The fresh herbs were the real star here. I used loads of fresh sage leaves, several sprigs of thyme, and rosemary - having striped the thyme and rosemary leaves from the stems. It really made it smell heavenly! A dash of red chili flakes would have also worked.

Get your steamer back out and forgetabout the microwave. Treat your veggies better.

-maven