Day 34: Versatile Vegeta - Οι πολλές χρήσεις του Vegeta - April 5, 2014

Vegeta is not a name that rolls off your tongue every day.  In fact, it may be something that many don't know exists.  But  we know it and use it and want to share it with as many people as we can because of what it does for some foods. Sold in virtually all countries in the world, we believe that you will likely find it easy to locate no matter where you live.

Vegeta is the name of an animated manga character in the Dragon Ball series, but that is not the one we are using for food!  Vegeta is a Croatian seasoning blend used for many foods, including vegetables, fish, and poultry.  It is an all-purpose seasoning made with dehydrated vegetables, herbs, and spices, making it a versatile condiment in your kitchen.  And, with the variety of ingredients, it really brings a flavour combination that gives some foods a certain "je ne sais quoi".   We try to buy only the varieties that have No MSG, which is identified on the top of the individual packages.  In our picture at the top, you see that this package is different from the ones that you see on the Vegeta website.  We bought this at a Polish bakery and market, realizing that this may not be identical to the traditional Vegeta that we have grown to love.  This Vegeta Natur has no MSG, is gluten free, lactose free, additive free, and 99% fat free. Of course, having a high sodium content (like virtually all powdered bouillon-like seasonings), people with low-sodium diets should dilute the Vegeta broth to the appropriate level of saltiness that is suitable for their requirements. Too bad the price wasn't free!

The original Vegeta variety we buy (see photo above) has no MSG; however, there is also the original Vegeta which does contain some MSG. That is an additive to which some in our family have sensitivities, so we avoid it when possible.

We use Vegeta seasoning in some foods regularly.  For example, when we are preparing rice or vegetables, there is a good chance that we have sprinkled some Vegeta in the water  Today, we are going to show you how we use it when preparing a simple vegetable greens dish.

For this demonstration, we chose to boil some kale.  Typically, we would boil or steam the kale and sprinkle it with oil and lemon to serve.  While using the Vegeta, you may find that you do not need added oil or salt or even lemon!  The dehydrated seasonings and herbs get into the water and coat the kale to add that little bit of extra flavour.

First, choose your vegetable to cook.  Fill a pot with some water, whether you are steaming or boiling.  If you are steaming, you want only an inch of water in the pot.  If you are boiling the vegetables, then add more water than that.

Sprinkle the Vegeta on top of the water.  Read the instructions on the package to give you precise guidelines for amounts. You don't want to put this in by the spoonful because it may lump in the pan.  So, sprinkle it into the water and bring the water to a boil.  The dehydrated vegetables and herbs will start to reconstitute, and you will see the colour of the water change to a yellowish hue.

Once the water starts to boil with the Vegeta in it, you will see the lovely nibs of vegetables and herbs rolling around in the pot.  This is the time to add your vegetables to the pot and put a lid on the pot.  This will keep the steam inside and help to cook the vegetables.  We chose kale which because it does not take a very long time to cook.

Boil or steam your vegetables to the desired doneness.  We like a little crunch to most veggies, but some, like kale, are just asking to be soft and tender.  And, we know that using the Vegeta to season the cooking liquid will save us a step in seasoning after the kale is cooked.

When you strain the liquid, you will find the solid bits dispersed through the kale (or other vegetables).  You may want to drink the liquid since it has flavour and it has many of the nutrients from the greens.  It is a good way to cleanse your palate, and it tastes flavourful and light.  This leaves you with a lightly seasoned vegetable and a glass of vegetable juice to wash it all down!

The final dish will show the sprinkles of Vegeta throughout the kale, almost like it sparkles, awaiting to be eaten!  If you like, you can still put the oil and lemon on top, but know that this is a clean, simple preparation that adds a little extra flavour with no extra work!

This is the delicious kale/Vegeta cooked water drink that is left over after the kale is cooked in the Vegeta mixture. Several members in our family love to drink this (both warm and cold).

Notice the flavourful reconstituted veggie specks within the cooked kale. The final product is flavourful, juicy and rich-tasting.

"You wish, or rather, have decided, to remove a splinter from someone? Very well, but do not go after it with a stick instead of a lancet for you will only drive it deeper. Rough speech and harsh gestures are the stick, while even-tempered instruction and patient reprimand are the lancet. 'Reprove, rebuke, exhort,' says the Apostle (II Tim. 4:2), not 'batter'."

From St. John Climacus (The Ladder of Divine Ascent; Paulist Press pg. 149)
Source of quote: http://theodorakis.net/orthodoxquotescomplete.html