With warm weather beginning to wane – at least in theory – it becomes all the more enjoyable to savor those brave veggies still popping up in the garden. Mama always said to eat your veggies and now, thanks to some terrific recipes, you won’t have to be asked twice.
Having just had the first cool evening of the season, the Kitchen Crew and I decided to whip up Lisa Crum’s Balsamic Chicken Garden Medley. This dish is such a wonderful melding of hearty pasta and light, fresh flavors.
“My husband and I created this a few years ago after developing a love affair with balsamic vinegar and olive oil,” says the Delbarton, WV cook. “Just about everyone who’s ever tried it says it’s one of the tastiest chicken dishes they’ve ever eaten. We’ve gotten several requests to do it for a crowd over the past few years (It’s more fun to make a big batch and invite your friends…that’s why the recipe feeds so many.) We’ve never been able to make a small batch yet, and it never goes to waste because our guests make off with the leftovers!”
We had the exact same experience! This recipe – packed with marinaded chicken and fresh vegetables – looks absolutely stunning served on a big platter… preferably on a beautiful patio! Lisa’s recipe is super-sized for a crowd and the use of filling pasta and homegrown veggies is a really great way to stretch a dollar. (One of the gals in the Kitchen Crew even suggested pureeing some of your veggies and blending them into Lisa’s marinara recipe. It adds to the dish’s heartiness, and is a great way to sneak more veggies onto your kids’ plates!)
Monica Hossa of Munster, IN was also in a creative and thrifty mood when she came up with her veggie-loving recipe for Sausage Onion Pepper Fajita Sandwiches! “Mixing smoked sausage with a fajita recipe ended up being a great last-minute dinner idea,” she says. “The flavor was really intense. The dish was all gone before I [even] had a chance to take a pic.”
Well, we’ve got that covered, Monica! We were snapping away as folks snapped up these delicious sandwiches. We love how simple the ingredients are. The recipe allows for plenty of flexibility for you to add whichever vegetables you love best… and happen to have on hand.
Feeling less crafty and more saucy? Joan Hunt of Youngsville, NC has your answer: Honey Glazed Vegetables. Have your veggies and sweetness too! “This sweet [honey] glaze is a nice if you have a sweet tooth and are trying to eat healthy!”
Joan’s technique is super easy. Simply cook your favorite vegetable in a mixture of margarine, water and honey to the point where a glaze forms. When done, the glazed vegetables are delicious served atop brown rice or as an unexpected “pop” in your favorite sandwich.
With delicious recipes like these there’s no reason to settle for boring and bland. With a dash of seasoning and just a pinch of creativity, your vegetables can go from dull to divine… just be sure to make enough for seconds!