Sick of boiled veggies? Here’s a quick way to perk up plain veggies in a hurry.
To best capture the flavor in vegetables and retain their nutrients, steam them over simmering water or cook them in boiling water until just tender. But don’t stop there.
Turn plain veggies into a side dish worth fighting over with a few simple finishing touches.
- Boil a large pot of water
- Chop veggies into uniform pieces
- Cook until fork-tender and drain
- Heat a teaspoon of butter or olive oil
- Add minced garlic and cooked vegetables
- Flavor with a teaspoon of lemon zest, honey or balsamic vinegar
- Sprinkle with dried fruits, nuts or fresh herbs
- Season with salt and pepper
- Saute 1 to 2 minutes
- Garnish with more herbs or a squeeze of citrus juice
Created by the executive wellness chef and registered dietitians at the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program.

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