Vegetables are an important part of a well-balanced meal, but getting loved ones to eat them can sometimes be a challenge. Piling vegetables on a plate and topping them with butter or cheese sauce makes them
a little more appealing, but even that high-calorie, high-fat improvement gets boring after being served day in and day out. For a more effective solution, try preparing vegetable casseroles that look attractive and taste great. In some
cases vegetable casseroles can even be fortified with proteins like tofu, chicken or seafood and can transform from a side dish into a delectable main course. Casseroles can be made ahead and frozen to create a quick and easy dish with
a variety of flavors to choose from that are sure to complement virtually any meal.
Fresh, frozen or canned vegetables can be used in casseroles. Some recipes contain very few ingredients and highlight the flavor of one or two vegetables while others call for a long list of ingredients that create a complex flavor. Rice
and pasta are often added for bulk and substance and to make the dish stretch further when serving larger crowds or attending a potluck dinner. Spices and sauces pull the components together and help the flavors mesh. Vegetable casseroles
can take on many configurations depending on the region they originated in and what the native flavors are that are indigenous to that region. Spicy, mild or sweet, vegetable casseroles taste great with any main course or can create an
impressive entrée that will have them coming back for seconds. |
