Company Vegetables with Toasted Almonds

Recipe by: Johanna Burkhard | from 125 Best Microwave Oven Recipes

Cookstr

Course: Side Dish, Vegetable

Total Time: Under 30 Minutes

Skill Level: Easy

Cost: Moderate

Photo by: Mark Shapiro

Put your microwave oven to good use when preparing vegetables to serve a crowd. Arrange vegetables in dish, ready to pop in the microwave shortly before serving. Serve almond butter with other steamed vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts.

Yield:
Serves 6 to 8

INGREDIENTS

4 cups (1 L) cauliflower florets (1/2 head)
4 cups (1 L) broccoli florets
1 red bell pepper, cut into cubes
1 yellow or orange bell pepper, cut into cubes

Topping:

3 tbsp (45 mL) butter, divided
1/3 cup (75 mL) sliced almonds
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp (15 mL) freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tbsp (25 mL) chopped fresh parsley
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Equipment:

10-cup (2.5 L) shallow baking dish or large (12-inch/30 cm) microwave-safe platter (see Notes)

Directions

1. In baking dish or platter, alternately arrange cauliflower and broccoli, with broccoli stalks toward the outside, around outer edge of dish. Mound pepper cubes in center. Add 1/3 cup (75 mL) water. Cover with lid or plastic wrap and turn back one corner to vent. Microwave on High for 6 to 9 minutes or until vegetables are tender-crisp. Let stand, covered, while preparing topping.

2. Topping: In a small microwave-safe glass bowl, combine 2 tbsp (25 mL) of the butter and almonds. Microwave, uncovered, on High for 1 ½ to 3 minutes or until almonds are lightly toasted, stirring twice. (Can be done up to 4 hours ahead, if desired.)

3. Just before serving, add remaining butter and garlic to toasted almonds. Microwave, uncovered, on High for 45 to 60 seconds or until fragrant. Stir in lemon juice. Carefully drain water from vegetables (a plate set on top will hold vegetables in place).

4. Pour almond butter over top. Sprinkle with parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Variation:

Substitute partially cooked carrots for the pepper cubes, if desired. To prepare, place 3 cups (750 mL) thinly sliced carrots and ¼ cup (50 mL) water in a casserole dish. Microwave, covered, on High for 2 to 4 minutes or until crisp. Drain and continue with recipe as directed.

Notes

Micro-Tip

Test first to see if dish called for fits comfortably in your microwave oven. If not, divide vegetable mixture among two 9-inch (23 cm) microwave-safe pie plates. Cover with inverted plate or plastic wrap with one corner turned back to vent. Microwave each plate on High for 4 to 6 minutes.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Nutrients per serving (% daily value)

Nutritional information is based on 8 servings and 1/8 teaspoon added salt per serving.

Calories 98kcal (5%)

Calcium 49mg (5%)

Vitamin C 98mg (164%)

Vitamin A 80mcg RAE (3%)

Potassium 394mg

Magnesium 32mg

Protein 3g

Sugar 3g

Fiber 3g