Frozen Vegetables that Taste Better

In the winter, when you can't get locally grown, just-picked, fresh vegetables, buy frozen. Because they're processed quickly after picking, the nutritional value of frozen vegetables may be higher than fresh.

Good-Tasting Frozen Vegetables:

1. Place frozen-hard vegetables in a pot with a tight-fitting lid.
2. Add enough water to cover half the vegetables.
3. Add a tiny pinch of sugar to peas or corn that are not "summer-sweet" if you like.
4. Cover pot and bring to a boil, about 5-8 minutes.
5. Turn heat to low, let sit about 3 minutes more, then taste.
6. If not done, quickly cover pot to keep in steam and test again in a few minutes.
7. Drain cooked vegetables and place in a warm bowl or platter.
8. Discard vegetable water or save to use in soups or broths. Do not save broccoli or cabbage water (used it once to water plants and it made the potted plants smell bad.)
9. Turn heat to medium-high and add to the empty pot: 3 Tbsp olive oil OR 2 Tbsp olive oil + 1 Tbsp butter, a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a pinch of thyme, rosemary or basil, a tsp. salt.
10. Simmer a few seconds while stirring, then pour herbed oil over vegetables and grate some fresh pepper on top if you like.
11. You can do this in the microwave, using a microwave-safe dish with a lid. Adjust times according to the power of your microwave and the amount of vegetables you are cooking.