Broccoli side dish

Photo: Tarek El Sombati/E+/Getty Images

Broccoli You'll Actually Crave
Once you've tried this recipe for the potentially humdrum vegetable, you may never go back to the steamed or boiled version. It's so easy that it brings the term low-maintenance to a new low: Broil broccoli for four minutes and toss with garlic, salt and vinegar.

Get the recipe: Roasted Broccoli with Balsamic Vinegar
Carrot salad

Photo: laperla_foto/iStock/Getty Images Plus

A Makeover for Mundane Carrots
We love the idea of making carrot salad with non-orange varieties; you can find yellow, purple, even white ones at farmers' markets. Whichever color you use, this recipe is a breeze, consisting simply of grated carrots, chopped mint and cilantro, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. You can eat it as is, or add a range of mix-ins, from poppy seeds to fresh chives.

Get the recipe: Evolution Carrot Salad
Green Beans with Goat Cheese and Fresh Lemon Vinaigrette

Photo: Mikkel Vang

A New Use for Your Everyday Salad Dressing
Instead of making the same old leafy greens with vinaigrette, take five minutes to boil a few handfuls of green beans. You can pour that same dressing over the beans; since they'll be warm, they'll soak it up even better than romaine leaves would. If you've got some goat or feta cheese, crumble and sprinkle it over the beans just before serving to add tang.

Get the recipe: Green Beans with Goat Cheese and Fresh Lemon Vinaigrette
Cabbage slaw

Photo: Olha Afanasieva/iStock/Getty Images Plus

The Speedy Slaw with a Touch of Intrigue
Most coleslaws are creamy affairs, drenched in sour cream and mayo. This version is much more vibrant, consisting of shredded cabbage (you can use green, red, Napa or Savoy), peeled and sectioned oranges and an ultrasimple dressing made out of sesame oil, salt and pepper.

Get the recipe: Sweet and Spicy Cabbage Salad
Cheesy Peas

Photo: Foodcollection/Getty Images

The Simplest (and Perhaps Tastiest) Way to Cook Peas
The ingredients list for this rich-tasting veggie dish calls for a few handfuls of fresh or frozen peas, a bit of butter and grated cheese, some lemon juice, ground white pepper—and that's it. It's proof that sometimes the least complicated dishes are the most delicious (and a reminder that you can't go wrong with melty cheese and zippy lemon).

Get the recipe: Cheesy Peas