'A NEW TASTE TWIST ON ROOT
VEGETABLES'
Root vegetables have gotten a bad
rap. They look like mush, they taste like it, and you end up being voted most
unpopular cook, when all you were doing was trying to get them to eat their
veggies. Don't give up just yet, but do give up on those worn out recipes that
please no one.
Here are some recipes that may
change your mind about serving those most unpopular root vegetables.
Brussels sprouts with pine nuts and
mushrooms
1 lb Brussels sprouts
1/2c pine nuts or sunflower seeds
4 Shiitake (soaked) or button
mushrooms thinly sliced
1 tsp. Thyme
½ tsp. Ginger
½ tsp. Sea salt
½ c water
Steam Brussels sprouts until
tender. Cook mushrooms, nuts, and seasonings in water until mushrooms are
tender. Turn the entire recipe into a small fry pan and sautŽ with 2
Tablespoons of olive oil. Salt and
pepper to taste.
Ginger Carrots
4 carrots sliced diagonally, or the
same amount of baby carrots
1 tsp. Grated ginger
1 tsp. Sesame oil
SautŽ carrots 3 minutes in oil, add
ginger and salt. Cover and cook 30 minutes on low heat, or until tender. You
may thicken the mixture with one tsp. of arrowroot or tapioca powder. If a
sweeter taste is desired use one tablespoon of honey.
Caramelized sweet potato rounds
4-6 small sweet potatoes or yams
3-4 Tbs. Maple syrup
2 Tbs. Butter
Slice off the ends of the potatoes
and take out any bad spots. Slice with skins on in one inch thick pieces. Boil
or microwave until tender. Heat a heavy skillet with butter. When hot pour in
maple syrup and add potatoes. Allow the mixture to caramelize on the potatoes.
Serve while hot.
Sour cream and mashed sweet
potatoes
4-6 Sweet potatoes
3 Tbs. Sour cream
2 Tbs. Butter
Fresh nutmeg for grating
Peel, quarter and boil sweet
potatoes until tender. Mash adding sour cream, butter and grate in a dash on
freshly grated nutmeg. Serve as is or brown under the broiler until top becomes
crispy.
These recipes are not the lowest in
calories per serving with the exception of the Brussels sprouts, but they end up per serving with
fewer calories since they don't need to be slathered with butter. Hope you
enjoy! Till next time, Rebecca.
1/31/08