It sounds simple enough doesn’t it if you want to get more vegetables into the meals you simply cook more veg, put them on your plate, and eat them. If only it was that simple. Unfortunately, however, for many, it is simply an uninspiring and appealing way to up their veg intake. So, if you are looking to pack out your diet with more vegetables here are some inspiring and delicious ways to increase your veg consumption in your meals. 

Photo credit, Mali Meeder From Pexels 

Make a curry 

Curry is the perfect way to up your veg quota with maximum flavor. Sweet potato, cauliflower, peppers, turnip, and aubergine are all the perfect addition to curry and soak up all of the intense flavors you expect from a curry dish. This Indo Chinese Gobi Manchurian recipe uses buckets of cauliflower and it tastes amazing. It is a far cry from the soggy boiled cauliflower you would see in your school lunch. 

Grill your veg

Grilling zucchini, peppers, and mushrooms on a skillet or BBQ are a great way to add a little extra taste to your veg, soften them up by heating them through and then give them that blackened (but not burnt) edge for flavor and aesthetic appeal. To really heighten the taste, drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle with oregano or chili flakes to make the perfect side to any dish. 

Get dipping

Some vegetables lend themselves perfectly to being eaten raw and providing you with the maximum nutrient benefit. Vegetables such as carrots, celery, and peppers are ideal for dipping in healthy condiments such as hummus. This can be eaten as the perfect snack or tasty side dish for your mains. 

Mix into a pasta sauce 

If you or your family are particularly averse to eating whole vegetables in your meal then cutting them up into tiny pieces or even blending them into a pasta sauce is a guaranteed way to get all of the health and flavor benefits of vegetables without having to look at them, (or even know you are eating them). Perfect for veg wary children. 

Drink them

Yes really. You can add a number of inconspicuous veggies to your tasty fruit smoothie without even really knowing about it. Spinach, kale, beets, and carrots are great examples of veg that can be added to a sweet fruit smoothie that won’t compromise the taste. 

Spices and seasoning 

If you want to enjoy your vegetables as close to their original form as possible then don’t be shy with seasoning. Adding a generous helping of salt and pepper is a must when you are serving up vegetables, regardless of how you are serving them up. That said, if you really want to enhance the flavor then look beyond salt and pepper and riad the spice shelf. Fried herbs are an easy way to add extra taste to your veg or for a more exotic flavor opt for spices such as cumin, cajun, or paprika. 

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This is a contributed post