In the midst of beginning to meal plan I am in a dilemma.
Not an earth shattering one mind you, but a frozen food one.
I have never liked using frozen veggies. I like fresh. The kids like fresh.
And then one day a week or two ago, I used them in a veggie soup, and they were delicious!
So of course I tried some frozen green beans as a side while we were in Vero. Plates came back...empty! Except for a nice little pile of green beans on each little plate.
But we throw so many fresh veggies away that go bad that I am liking the idea of frozen ones immensely. Are they THAT bad? Are they THAT inferior in nutrition? Evidently, they are THAT bad in taste, comparatively speaking. Lol
So Fresh or Frozen is the question that plagues my mind this morning.
See? I can think of things other than family integration, disciplining children and predestination!
8 comments:
I use certain frozen vegetables and my kids love them. The main ones are green beans and baby limas. For the green beans I start by boiling about 1/2 cup of water with a tbsp. of oil and a bouillon cube. Then I add the green beans, bring back to a boil and then put the lid on and let them cook for about 20 minutes or so on low. My kids eat tons of these and love them. As for baby limas--I do pretty much the same thing as far as the oil and bouillon cube (chicken or vegetable) but I use more water. Read the directions on the bag as far as that goes. We also like one of the Bird's Eye combos--it has soybeans, broccoli, baby carrots, and water chestnuts (I pick those out, yuck!). These I cook according to package directions, pour off excess water and add a little butter and salt. I also have the problem of fresh veggies going bad. Oh yeah, and frozen chopped spinach (Bird's Eye) is pretty good too.
Those chicken and beef broth boxes go a long way in our house for flavoring frozen vegies... I think the secret to frozen green beans is not too much liquid where they get soggy... ewww.
Wow. Stupid me never thought about actually doctoring them up. I just boil away and add a dash of salt. When first reading the comments I was like, Well, with all that, what's the point? Just make fresh. But then there is still the going bad issue...I use the chicken/beef broths as well a lot here. I'll give it a try!
Frozen veggies, look out!
I don't "do" veggies, so we use frozen all the time. I usually buy some "blend"-the kids LOVE baby corn, so usually a blend that has baby corn in it. Very simple, very easy, and the kids clean their plates. When I buy fresh, I frequently don't get around to serving it (with our crazy life) until it's gone bad anyway. Sad, but true.
I truly and honestly mean no offense to any of you with this question, but it begs to be asked. Do you people really do this? SERIOUSLY? Here is my recipe:
1. Open can
2. microwave for 2 min in perfectly good old butter bowl
3. serve in said bowl
It works for any and every veggie. And for those of you who haven't heard the news: You coulda' had a V8!
We use certain frozen veggies. I will only use Pictsweet Whole Green beans - boil them in water for three minutes, drain, drizzle with olive oil, lemon juice, sea salt and fresh pepper, yum! or boil the beans, drain, melt some butter in the pan, add soy sauce and some toasted sesame seeds and pour over the beans. My kids love these.
I also use the Pictsweet Broccoli Florets if I cannot find good fresh broccoli or it is not ready in the garden. I steam this and add to pasta with olive oil, garlic, chunks of mozzarella cheese or feta.
The kids also like the Green Giant Brussel Sprouts. We will steam them, add some butter, sea salt and fresh pepper. Or fry some bacon and chop up, throw your brussels sprouts in the bacon drippings, cook until tender then add your chopped bacon back in and salt and pepper. This is a treat in our house because of all the grease- yuck but they are delicious. You can also do that with frozen peas - I find any brand will do.
Otherwise everything else is fresh either from the produce stand, a local organic grower that I go to or my own garden.
Steph K- I am going to get you and my SIL in the same room one of these days and then blog about it.
:o)
number 8...
Crystal, you are TOO funny!
Well, I don't have too much to add except that butter covers a multitude of sins--I bet it would even perk up canned stuff. ;)
Also, in terms of time there is some saving to not having to wash and prep all the veggies. Fresh is best, but...
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