How to Spice Vegetables

The Departments of Agriculture and of Health and Human Services recommend consuming nine servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Even if you are a veggie fanatic, this may seem like a tall order. No matter how fresh your green, yellow, red, purple or white produce is, seasoning it with salt and/or pepper can get a little boring. Luckily, myriad spices exist to enliven your vegetable main and side dishes. Whether sweet or savory, some selections are bound to appeal.

Instructions

1. Add red or white pepper. If black pepper is the default choice in your home, white or red pepper can spell dynamic change. Red and white peppercorns offer a different flavor profile, depending on variety. States Chow.com, "More expensive white pepper is less aromatic and hotter than black because it contains more piperine." Tiptoe to start: If you are used to adding 1 tsp. of black pepper to your peas, green beans or corn, for example, start with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of red or white, then add more as needed to suit your taste. Top off each serving with a drizzle of olive oil for another layer of flavor and you're good to go. Red and white pepper can also enliven stir-fried or stewed tomatoes and peppers. Sprinkle on a mild cheese, such as mozzarella, just before serving to balance the dish.

2. Add chili powder or chopped fresh chilies. The powder you may use to make beef and bean chili can also be used solo to season any vegetable. Try it on green beans, peas or tomatoes. Use it lightly to start, adding more powder if your tongue is truly spice-hardy. That goes double for fresh peppers, such as ancho, jalapeno or habanero peppers. A little goes a long way, so chop them finely and add to dishes sparingly until you and your family are certain of your comfort zone.

3. Add spices typically reserved for sweet foods, such as cinnamon, ginger or cloves. Try cinnamon in vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and other squashes. Finish the dish with a dab of butter or margarine. If you are mashing or pureeing your vegetables, 1 tbsp. of dairy cream can make the mixture smoother and perhaps more appealing to younger appetites. The spicy flavor of ginger and the deeper flavor and color of cloves can also enhance vegetable and potato dishes. Use ginger to perk up mixed-vegetable stir-fry dishes. Flavor up cabbage or beets with cloves. Try all three spices in combination on yams with a touch of butter and a dash of raw sugar, honey or molasses.

Source: eHow