Vegetables as a Side Dish

    If you have taken time to browse through some of my recipes, you will notice that many of them incorporate veggies, beans, pasta etc into one dish - very rarely will I suggest side dishes and the reason is a simple one - vegetable shopping for one is a chore! Not only because many things these days are pre-bunched or pre-packaged, but also because there is a lure to buy that whole bag of potatoes or bag of corn on the cob for $2.99 because it simply sounds like such a better deal than buying 2-3 each for $2...but take it from me, not only do potatoes grow eyes that peer out the bag at you screaming “cook me!” but after a while - they will liquify into a smelly mess (don’t forget that both potatoes and corn can make alcohol - so think smell of alcohol mixed with rotting-moldiness...it just isn’t pretty)

    So what to do? Change your mind set - think in terms of use - not in terms of value and change ideas on what you want to buy. Green beans are a good option - if you wanted to, you could just buy one (the check out person will give you looks - but you could if you wanted to). The other option that i’ve mentioned before is using the salad bar - yes it is more expensive, but AGAIN you will end up spending the same amount if you throw out more than half that head of broccoli. 

    Frozen? it works - the one tip I have for frozen veggies - DO NOT BUY MORE THAN 1-2 AT A TIME. Frozen veggies are a great idea, but after a while they freeze into this rock hard clump that will taste more like freezer than the vegetable that they are suppose to be.

    Side dish veggies can be done - just change how you buy - and how you think.