Ingredient education, cooking methods, and vegetable recipes to try out! This recap outlines all of the lessons I’ve shared in my Vegetables 101 portion of So Happy In The Kitchen!
Vegetables 101: In Review
My So Happy In The Kitchen series is dedicated to giving you tools, resources, and knowledge to help you learn to love to cook. Each month this year, I’ll be diving into a different ingredient group, offering tips, tricks, and of course recipes. This month’s focus was Vegetables! Knowing that I’ll be revisiting vegetables again later in the year, this month was dedicated to a “101” approach to cooking with the fresh goods.
Let’s recap everything you’ve learned this month!
1. Seasonality Of Vegetables
In my Guide to Seasonal Vegetables, I break down the different types of vegetables that are available throughout the seasons. I offer suggestions for how to use the bounty that comes with each season of the year, and printable templates to remind yourself what’s in season all year round.
2. How To Prep Vegetables
In my article, “Prepping Vegetables Like A Pro”, I break down the basic methods of preparing vegetables to be cooked. I offer guidance on how to store, clean, and prep a variety of basic vegetables that are in season during the Winter and Spring.
3. How to Roast and Braise Vegetables
In this article, I break down two cooking methods that are well-loved during the chillier months: roasting and braising. I provide background and details on the differences between the two techniques and suggest different ways to try them both.
Recipes to consider:
4. How To Boil and Blanch Vegetables
In my second article dedicated to cooking methods, I dive into boiling and blanching. Two simple techniques which yield completely different yet equally satisfying results.
Recipes to consider:
5. How To Stir-Fry and Sauté
In my next method-focused article, I dedicate it to stir-frying and sautéing. Widely used and enjoyed, both of these high-heat techniques are simple and offer versatility on the busiest nights.
Recipes to try:
6. How To Caramelize
This article walks through the beloved technique of caramelizing. Yielding depth and major flavor, caramelizing is a secret weapon you should be equipped with. And guess what? Onions aren’t the only thing you can caramelize!
Recipes to try:
7. How To Steam
The last cooking method I go over is steaming. Often overlooked as a way to add flavor to your cooking, steaming actually allows for the purest flavor of your vegetables to shine through. It also is well regarded since it allows the most nutrients to be retained compared to other cooking methods.
Recipes to try:
How Did You Do?
Did you cook along with me this month? Did you try some of the methods I broke down? What did you learn? Where did you fail? I want to hear it all! Comment below and let me know what you think of this series.
Check out my “So Happy In The Kitchen” page, where I share helpful roundups of products, ingredient and cooking method education, and recipe tips and tricks each month! You can also shop all of my favorites here.
Let’s be friends! Find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!