Colorful Vegetable Saute
A vibrant and flavorful sauté of fresh green beans, fennel or celery, red bell peppers, and onions, seasoned with basil and black pepper, perfect for a colorful, healthy side.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 pound fresh green beans ⓘ
- 1 pound fresh fennel or 1 medium bunch celery, sliced ⓘ
- 2 large red bell peppers, cored, seeded, and cut into thin strips ⓘ
- 2 medium onions, quartered ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven, bring a small amount of water to boiling.
- Add onions; remove from heat.
- Let stand for 1 minute.
- Remove onions, reserving water.
- When cool, tie each green onion around 4 or 5 raw asparagus spears.
- Return water to boiling; add asparagus bundles.
- Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 4 to 8 minutes or until crisp-tender.
- In a large skillet, melt butter or margarine and vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Add green beans, fennel or celery, red bell peppers, onions, and garlic.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and flavors meld.
- Season with salt, basil, and black pepper to taste.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavors, try adding a dash of lemon juice or zest before serving. If fresh vegetables aren't available, frozen green beans and bell peppers can be used as substitutes. For a bit of heat, add red pepper flakes. If you want to incorporate more protein, consider tossing in some chickpeas or tofu, which align perfectly with vegetarian recipes like Spinach Borek.
Serving Suggestions
This colorful vegetable sauté pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or fish for a complete meal. Serve it over a bed of rice or quinoa for added texture. For a refreshing side, consider making a Mykonos Salad, which complements the sauté's flavors nicely. Feel free to garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or basil before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out. You can also microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Colorful Vegetable Saute contains roughly 493 calories, with 18g protein, 98g carbohydrates, and 14g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (120% of the Daily Value), iron (87% of the Daily Value), and calcium (57% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 34g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other vegetables in this sauté?
Absolutely! This recipe is very versatile. You can add seasonal vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or broccoli. Just ensure to adjust cooking times based on the vegetables' texture and size to achieve the desired tenderness.
Is this dish suitable for meal prep?
Yes, this sauté is great for meal prep! It keeps well in the fridge and can be reheated easily. Just make sure to slightly undercook the vegetables if you plan to reheat them, as they will continue cooking when warmed up again.
What can I add to make this dish heartier?
To make this sauté heartier, consider adding cooked grains like quinoa or farro. You could also toss in some protein such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or beans. These additions will not only enhance the dish's nutritional value but also make it more filling.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).