We all know vegetables are important for our health- they contain plenty of minerals, fiber, and vitamins that are necessary for a healthy diet. In fact, we should be eating about 3-4 servings of vegetables per day. However, as healthy as they are, they can be quite bland to eat. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can boost the flavors of your veggies, like incorporating honey sticks into your recipes! Here are 3 easy examples of ways you can use honey to spice up your vegetable side dishes.
1) Honey cinnamon roasted sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins A and C, fiber, and beta carotene. Because of this, sweet potatoes are good for strengthening the immune system as well as promoting vision health and gut health. Here’s a quick and easy recipe to transform your sweet potatoes from plain to full flavored with only a handful of ingredients.
Recipe information:
- Servings: 4
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4 sweet potatoes
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- Black pepper and salt to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F
- Cube your sweet potatoes and place them on a tray lined with tin foil. Make sure the potatoes aren’t overlapping too much to ensure an even roasting.
- Drizzle all your other ingredients over the potatoes and toss the potatoes so they all get coated in the mixture.
- Place your sweet potatoes in the oven and let them roast until tender (about 20-30 minutes)
- Take them out and serve
2) Honey garlic asparagus
Asparagus provides many health benefits, some of which include weight loss, improved weight loss, and decreased risk of cancer. This is all thanks to the fact that asparagus is low in calories while still being full of vitamin K and other antioxidants. However, asparagus comes with a particularly bitter taste that might turn some people away from incorporating this incredibly beneficial vegetable in their diets. Here’s a way you can dial down the bitterness with your honey sticks and other seasonings.
Recipe information:
- Servings: 5
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 bunch of asparagus
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions:
- Heat a skillet over medium-low heat.
- Melt the butter on the skillet. Once the butter is melted, place your asparagus and allow it to cook until tender (about 8 minutes).
- Once cooked, take the asparagus off the stove and combine the honey, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper over the vegetables until the asparagus is coated evenly.
- Serve and enjoy.
3) Honey lemon carrots
Everybody knows carrots are good for eye health, but did you know carrots have other health benefits too? Their high fiber, potassium, and beta carotene content means they’re also good for heart health, decreasing blood pressure, and improving the appearance of the skin. Are you looking to try a new take on carrots? Try this delicious lemon honey twist the next time you want to try something new!
Recipe information:
- Servings: 4
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Serving times: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 pound carrots
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Black pepper and salt to taste
Instructions:
- Fill a pot with enough water to cover the carrots.
- Salt the water and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once the carrots are tender (about 6 minutes), drain the vegetables and place them in a saucepan.
- Add the honey, lemon juice, and butter to the saucepan. Continue cooking until a glaze forms over the carrots (about 5 minutes). Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve and enjoy.
Getting more vegetables in your diets doesn’t have to be a pain! Honey can really transform the taste of these bitter foods so you can have a more enjoyable dining experience. Try them out the next time you feel like experimenting with your veggies or are just wondering how to use a honey stick that you have sitting in your pantry.