(This column first appeared in the November print edition of the Hendersonian.)
If you’re looking for a different side dish for your holiday gatherings, Marinated Vegetables may be your new favorite.
It tastes great, is easy to prepare, adds great color to your meal and happens to be pretty nutritious.
Packed with a variety of vegetables and coated with a vinaigrette dressing, Marinated Vegetables offer something different from the traditional holiday casseroles and salads.
While it can compliment a variety of main dishes and side items, it just may end up being the star of meal.
Marinated Vegetables
Marinade:
1/3 cup white vinegar
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp. dried Italian seasoning blend
1/2 tsp. sugar
dash of salt and pepper, if desired
Vegetables:
1 1/2 cup fresh broccoli flowerets, quartered, steamed, and drained
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, quartered
1 lb. carrots, peeled, sliced, steamed, and drained
1 14-ounce can artichoke heart quarters, drained
1 cup sliced celery
1 red pepper cut into thin strips
In a medium saucepan, combine marinade ingredients. Heat to boiling, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
Wash fresh vegetables before preparing them. Cut broccoli flowerets into quarters. Steam broccoli for 4 to 6 minutes or until tender crisp and set aside. In a large bowl, combine mushrooms, carrots, artichoke hearts, celery, and red pepper, Pour hot marinade over the vegetable mixture, and stir to coat. Cover and chill or serve warm if desired. Drain vegetables with a slotted spoon when serving. Toss in broccoli and stir to coat just before serving to retain broccoli’s color better.
Yield: 8 servings
Merritt Bates-Thomas is a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) who has been sharing recipes with a healthier twist on WBKR FM 92.5’s What’s Cooking since 2017. In May 2023, she joined ABC 25 Local Lifestyles to share recipes and tips for flavorful cooking. She also appears on CW7’s Daybreak Extra’s Joe’s Kitchen and is a contributor to Kentucky Monthly. You can follow her on Instagram @thekitchentransition and now on Facebook at The Kitchen Transition.