While I’ve heard (and seen) plenty of fresh produce available at grocery stores, you may find it difficult to get to the grocery store regularly in the coming weeks. Frozen vegetables (and frozen fruit) can be an excellent staple to keep on hand.
However, when you find yourself with lots of frozen vegetables, especially if you’re not use to it, how do cook with it? Here are six of my favorite EASY meals that incorporate frozen vegetables. Also note, these meal ideas are incredibly versatile, and and use the ingredients you have on hand in your pantry.
Soup
Just about all veggies work, including frozen Brussels Sprouts ? Recently on this episode of Monday Night Live, I added frozen Brussels Sprouts to a soup just for the fun of it. Everyone loved it! The Papa hates sprouts and he loved it too.
Stew
We love using peas, carrots, and frozen mushrooms in our stews. Stew is super versatile and most frozen vegetables would work well. I’d personally avoid broccoli and cauliflower in this application.
Chowder
Frozen peas and onions are an awesome addition to any chowder. We make a dairy free chowder with frozen peas that the kids love.
Fried Rice
Frozen stir fry vegetables, mushrooms, peas, onions, broccoli, and a few more veg are all excellent choices. If you’re using frozen vegetables in your fried rice, sauté them on high heat before adding other ingredients. You want to cook off any excess liquid first.
Chili
Frozen peas, carrots, beets, onions, and mushrooms all work well in chili. You can add the frozen veg at any stage of the cooking process with chili. Chili is something you usually simmer, so even if the veg is added just before the long simmer, there’s still plenty of cook time.
Smoothie
Frozen cauliflower can be added for a nutrition boost. We also like to purchase fresh zucchini in bulk and freeze it for smoothies.
As a Side Dish
In addition to putting your frozen vegetables IN a recipe, you can always serve them as a side dish. The kids LOVE frozen broccoli that’s been oven roasted with a little olive oil and salt. Their other favorite: frozen green beans roasted in olive oil with salt, onion granules, and nutritional yeast.
Nutrition Concerns With Frozen Vegetables
If you’re concerned about nutritional values, the good news is: fruit and veg are picked ripe, processed (blanched, etc), and frozen straight away. The frozen veg you purchase is full of nutritional value.