A Home Cook's Guide to Actually Good Tasting Veggies

Whether you’re cooking for your family or trying to incorporate some more greens into your new healthy diet, eating the same old bland vegetables can get tiring. Forget limp lettuce and mushy broccoli, and you can ditch the deep-frying and cheese avalanches. We’ve compiled some of the best tips and tricks to make veggies sing in your kitchen and give them the spotlight they so rightly deserve.

1. The Power of Herbs & Citrus: A quick way to upgrade to any vegetable that’ll have them tasting better in no time. Simply add a few sprigs of cilantro, some chopped basil, or or little lime juice and suddenly your vegetables taste like they came from a Michelin-grade restaurant!
2. Don’t Skimp on the Flames: For veggies like carrots, parsnips, and beets, the secret to bringing out their inner sweetness with an added smokiness.
3. Buy Locally and Seasonally: Veggies are ALWAYS tastier when they’re actually in season (and even more cost-effective). 
4. Combine Salty and Sweet: Pairing vegetables with a mix of sweet and savory can add an exciting twist to ordinary dishes. Drizzling honey or maple syrup over sweet potatoes or carrots or adding balsamic glaze to Brussels sprouts creates a delectable blend of flavors.
5. Think of Ross Geller’s Umami: Umami is very real and it really adds that extra umph to your veggies. Use umami-rich ingredients like soy sauce, miso, or even a dash of parmesan cheese into your dishes to add a savory element that’ll deepen the overall taste profile.
6. Spice it up! Don't be shy, add some more! If you've ever felt like your veggies were missing something, spice is probably the answer. Add seasonings like chile powder, curry, smoked paprika, and cumin- the unsung heroes of flavor enhancement. 
7. Dips are Your New Best Friend: Don’t limit yourself to ranch dressing, veggies taste amazing when you get creative! We love pairing our greens with hummus, chimichurri, and even tangy green goddess dips.
8. When in doubt, turn to the experts! Here are some of our fav recipes for brussel sprouts, asparagus, and beets. 

Now you know how to elevate your veggie game and bid adieu to bland plates! With the power of herbs, a touch of flames, and the wisdom of seasoning, transform your vegetables into culinary delights that steal the spotlight on any table.