Three Easy Vegetables

My mom was a young mother during the 1960s. In many ways, she was a woman before her time. Her Kitchen Parade columns are now yellow and tattered. But a frequent topic, teenage nutrition, would fit the agenda of any 2005 food magazine.

Long before food pyramids and obesity crises, her meals included one, two or even three vegetables. And they were all delicious.

No wonder: each one was topped with a hefty pat of butter!

My own vegetable style is purist: savor vegetables for their own subtle flavors without adornment or distraction from butter or sugar.

But if a bit of butter or sugar is encouragement enough for kids to try and enjoy vegetables, it’s a start, right?

With that in mind, here are a trio of kid-tested vegetables, one steamed, one roasted, one boiled.

LEMON ASPARAGUS

• 1 pound asparagus
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Remove lower half of asparagus spears and discard. Place in vertical steamer over boiling water for 5 – 8 minutes. Transfer to serving dish, toss with remaining ingredients.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 head cauliflower, cut in small florets

Set oven to 425F. Stir together all ingredients in large bowl until cauliflower is uniformly coated with oil. Transfer to baking sheet in single layer (use a second sheet if needed). Roast 35 – 45 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes for last 15 minutes, until cauliflower is dark brown but not burnt.

HONEY CARROTS

• 2 cups water
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 pounds carrots (sorry, frozen and pre-peeled don’t work)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• Salt and pepper to taste

Bring water and salt to boil in a medium saucepan. Meanwhile, peel carrots. Cut off and discard ends, then cut in bite-size pieces on the diagonal. Add carrots to boiling water, cover and cook 15 minutes or until soft. Stir in honey and cilantro. Let rest 5 minutes for flavors to blend. Season to taste.