If you make frozen veggies

[Jalapeñomel]

do you put anything on them? Salt? Pepper? Butter? Cheese?

Man, I’m bored.

[eb777888]

Yes! I make a cauliflower fried "rice" with riced cauliflower and I treat it as it it were fresh. So, yes, definitely season it.

[pierogigirl]

May 25, 2020 18:06:19 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

do you put anything on them? Salt? Pepper? Butter? Cheese?

Man, I’m bored.

I don't make it a lot in the summer, but I do make a quick dinner with pasta (or ravioli, gnocchi, or tortellini) and frozen broccoli and I put some olive oil and parmesan on it and call it a day.

Parmesan helps a lot of things.

[pumpkin]

May 25, 2020 18:10:21 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Yes! I make a cauliflower fried "rice" with riced cauliflower and I treat it as it it were fresh. So, yes, definitely season it.

Not to derail this post, but can you tell me "how" you do this? The few times I've tried it hasn't worked out and I know there is a way to do this, but I need specifics, lol

[al dente]

Yes! Def season. Usually though I let them cook for like 10 min to kinda defrost, and then pull and season. Otherwise everything just kinda falls off.

This is one of my favorite recipes and what got me into using frozen veggies a lot more
www.budgetbytes.com/oven-roasted-frozen-broccoli/

Oh and for what I actually add... always salt, pepper, and oil. Then usually garlic powder, onion powder, and whatever else I’m feeling that day.

[eb777888]

May 25, 2020 18:24:00 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

May 25, 2020 18:10:21 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Yes! I make a cauliflower fried "rice" with riced cauliflower and I treat it as it it were fresh. So, yes, definitely season it.

Not to derail this post, but can you tell me "how" you do this? The few times I've tried it hasn't worked out and I know there is a way to do this, but I need specifics, lol

Absolutely! I don't even like riced cauliflower, but fried cauliflower rice is the only way I eat it. It needs a lot of seasoning, so with bacon, egg, fish sauce, etc., it adds a lot of distractions from the cauliflower. I use the nom nom paleo recipe, and I add shrimp and sriracha. 

nomnompaleo.com/post/3195098303/asian-cauliflower-fried-rice

What specifically doesn't work out? Maybe I can help. I've made it with both fresh and frozen cauliflower. 

[Nonny]

Frozen broccoli I usually just do pepper and lemon juice. Sometimes I sprinkle grated parm (not Kraft, but the shreds from Costco).

Riced cauliflower I followed the recipe on the back of the pack for lemon pepper cauliflower, and that was butter, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. I've only eaten it once but I'll do it again.

For frozen butternut squash I do this:
www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/butternut_squash_with_browned_butter_and_thyme/

I have done this with frozen brussel spouts, but they kind of come out too soggy:
horsesandheels.com/best-brussels-sprouts/

Things like frozen spinach, corn, and peppers are usually getting chucked into another dish, not eaten alone, so I don't tend to need to season them separately. 

I also sometimes buy those pre-cheesed veggie packs, eat them and remember I think they are gross, and go 4-5 years before I forget and try again.

[juliachild]

I recently saw an Instagram story on how to chat frozen broccoli. I've tried it with both broccoli and corn and it works!

Put two tablespoons oil in a cold skillet with any spices you'll be using. Pour frozen veg on top. Cover. Turn on medium heat. Cook 8 minutes. Remove cover and let cook another few minutes until everything is nicely browned.

[penguingrrl]

It depends. Sometimes I am lazy as hell and leave it plain and we just eat it before eating good food. Most of the time I sauté it in garlic and olive oil, with onions and some salt.

[jane6672]

May 25, 2020 18:29:27 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

May 25, 2020 18:24:00 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

Not to derail this post, but can you tell me "how" you do this? The few times I've tried it hasn't worked out and I know there is a way to do this, but I need specifics, lol

Absolutely! I don't even like riced cauliflower, but fried cauliflower rice is the only way I eat it. It needs a lot of seasoning, so with bacon, egg, fish sauce, etc., it adds a lot of distractions from the cauliflower. I use the nom nom paleo recipe, and I add shrimp and sriracha. 

nomnompaleo.com/post/3195098303/asian-cauliflower-fried-rice

What specifically doesn't work out? Maybe I can help. I've made it with both fresh and frozen cauliflower. 

+1 to fried cauliflower rice.

I also love doing mexican cauliflower rice and curried cauliflower rice. Then I use it on place of rice for various dishes.

I generally sauté it and add the seasonings and a dash of chicken broth.

[jane6672]

Addendum: I love cauliflower, but, uh, it’s not rice. So I use it but I don’t expect it to be like rice. If you’re using it as a replacement when you’re hankering for rice, you’ll just be sad (in my experience).

It’s like If you love a book, and go to see the movie adaptation expecting it to be just like the book, you’ll be disappointed.

[eb777888]

May 25, 2020 20:34:07 GMT -5 jane6672 said:

Addendum: I love cauliflower, but, uh, it’s not rice. So I use it but I don’t expect it to be like rice. If you’re using it as a replacement when you’re hankering for rice, you’ll just be sad (in my experience).

It’s like If you love a book, and go to see the movie adaptation expecting it to be just like the book, you’ll be disappointed.

I agree.

I remember years ago I was at a baby shower with a friend and she was talking about spaghetti squash with another person. The person my friend was talking to was swearing that spaghetti squash was JUST LIKE pasta and she couldn't even tell the difference. When she walked away, I told my friend that is a bunch of bullshit and it's nothing like pasta!! I feel like these substitutes, to me, need a lot of spices, fresh herbs, salt, fat, etc. They *can* be good, but they are not a replacement. 

[pumpkin]

May 25, 2020 18:29:27 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

May 25, 2020 18:24:00 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

Not to derail this post, but can you tell me "how" you do this? The few times I've tried it hasn't worked out and I know there is a way to do this, but I need specifics, lol

Absolutely! I don't even like riced cauliflower, but fried cauliflower rice is the only way I eat it. It needs a lot of seasoning, so with bacon, egg, fish sauce, etc., it adds a lot of distractions from the cauliflower. I use the nom nom paleo recipe, and I add shrimp and sriracha. 

nomnompaleo.com/post/3195098303/asian-cauliflower-fried-rice

What specifically doesn't work out? Maybe I can help. I've made it with both fresh and frozen cauliflower. 

I guess my issue had been that the riced cauliflower doesn't get enough moisture out and it's too mushy? Maybe I'm not cooking it long enough? Hmmmm

[sonrisa]

The frozen veggies we use are edamame, peas and corn. The edamame we either pack into lunches and let defrost/cool the bag until lunch time or warm in some water.

Peas and corn I often add to other dishes like shepherd's pie. If I'm just cooking them, I'll add salt and butter. (sometimes parmesan if just corn).

[cinnamoncox0]

I roast frozen broccoli or Brussels sprouts or cauliflower frozen in like 400 degrees with a drizzle of oil and tons of garlic and it tastes great.

[TrickyBob]

I roast frozen broccoli with oil and garlic and then when I take it out I add fresh shaved parm to it

[ssmjlm]

For a quick side, we just get a steamer bag and then add butter and season salt. We don't eat a ton of frozen, but corn and green beans are staples. I'm not a fan of either though, which is probably why I'm not great at cooking them.

[akayf]

I buy the steam in bag frozen green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, and mixed veggies if we are eating with as a side. I sprinkle a little bit of TJ onion salt or Goya adobo on them. My kids like to mix those fried onions you use for green bean casserole with their green beans. I sprinkle adobo and breadcrumbs over cauliflower.

[penelope]

I treat them similar to previous posters and I will also toss in some sliced almonds and saute some minced garlic and lemon juice (usually with green beans) or throw in the real bacon bits that come in a jar (green beans, broccoli, cauliflower) or some cheese, depending on the mood and what we are having with it. Sometimes its just salt and a bit of butter and other times I try to jazz them up a bit.

[wildrice]

Usually I buy them pre-seasoned in some way. I typically add salt and pepper but I guess it depends on what it's already seasoned with.

If I bought plain veggies I'd season them however I'd normally season fresh ones. I would never eat fresh veggies without some kind of seasoning (even if just salt and pepper) so I definitely would not frozen - frozen tend to have less natural flavor IMO so they especially need it.

[dochas]

Fresh or frozen, I just steam and serve unless it's part of a recipe. My husband puts butter on sometimes. My son and I just eat as is.

[eb777888]

May 25, 2020 22:40:26 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

May 25, 2020 18:29:27 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Absolutely! I don't even like riced cauliflower, but fried cauliflower rice is the only way I eat it. It needs a lot of seasoning, so with bacon, egg, fish sauce, etc., it adds a lot of distractions from the cauliflower. I use the nom nom paleo recipe, and I add shrimp and sriracha. 

nomnompaleo.com/post/3195098303/asian-cauliflower-fried-rice

What specifically doesn't work out? Maybe I can help. I've made it with both fresh and frozen cauliflower. 

I guess my issue had been that the riced cauliflower doesn't get enough moisture out and it's too mushy? Maybe I'm not cooking it long enough? Hmmmm

If it's too mushy, I definitely wouldn't cook it longer. 

That's weird about it getting too much moisture. Are you cooking it with the lid off? If you keep the lid on, it will cause it to sweat out the moisture and it will make it watery. Cooking with the lid off evaporates the moisture. I don't find that cauliflower releases a lot of water anyway, though. Huh. 

[lostrn]

May 26, 2020 9:27:13 GMT -5 dochas said:

Fresh or frozen, I just steam and serve unless it's part of a recipe. My husband puts butter on sometimes. My son and I just eat as is.

This is our house too except no butter uses. Just 4 minutes in the microwave and then they eat it. I sometimes get "fancy" with a preseasoned package from Birdseye lol.

[puppyluv]

I used the steam fresh veggies. Add butter, garlic, salt, and pepper after cooking.

[cjcouple]

I don't actually. Just plain. But I am also trying to avoid butter. Unless I toss them into a stir fry obviously they're seasoned.

[imojoebunny]

I like sauces, particularly Indian and Asian on my veggies, like Tikka Masala, Mother in Laws fermented Chili Paste, Marinades, sweet and sour, and ginger and garlic are some of my favorites.

[pumpkin]

May 26, 2020 15:09:18 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

May 25, 2020 22:40:26 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

I guess my issue had been that the riced cauliflower doesn't get enough moisture out and it's too mushy? Maybe I'm not cooking it long enough? Hmmmm

If it's too mushy, I definitely wouldn't cook it longer. 

That's weird about it getting too much moisture. Are you cooking it with the lid off? If you keep the lid on, it will cause it to sweat out the moisture and it will make it watery. Cooking with the lid off evaporates the moisture. I don't find that cauliflower releases a lot of water anyway, though. Huh. 

lol, I'm sure it's somehow user/chef error. I'm determined to figure it out though!

[juliachild]

Guys. Season your food. Really, it's blowing my mind that people don't even put salt on their veggies. I always put salt, pepper, and butter on steamed veggies. Even just a little will improve the flavor exponentially.

[iheartbanjos]

Olive oil or ghee, garlic, salt, and pepper for most frozen veggies.

[al dente]

May 25, 2020 22:40:26 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

May 25, 2020 18:29:27 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Absolutely! I don't even like riced cauliflower, but fried cauliflower rice is the only way I eat it. It needs a lot of seasoning, so with bacon, egg, fish sauce, etc., it adds a lot of distractions from the cauliflower. I use the nom nom paleo recipe, and I add shrimp and sriracha. 

nomnompaleo.com/post/3195098303/asian-cauliflower-fried-rice

What specifically doesn't work out? Maybe I can help. I've made it with both fresh and frozen cauliflower. 

I guess my issue had been that the riced cauliflower doesn't get enough moisture out and it's too mushy? Maybe I'm not cooking it long enough? Hmmmm

You prob need higher heat, and to start with your pan hotter.