Summer Delights: Sautéed Garden Fresh Veggies

Summer meals are the perfect occasion for lighter dishes, full of colorful fruits and veggies at the peak of freshness. In the pages of the August issue of ‘Simply Family’ magazine we shared with you a Savory Summer Pasta recipe from Simply Jessica. So far in August we’ve shared with you recipes for Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream and Grilled Chicken Salad with Feta, Corn, and Blueberries. To conclude this summer recipe series from Simply Jessica, we’re coming straight from the garden with the perfect summer side dish, Sautéed Garden Fresh Veggies.    

There is just something about fresh produce in the summertime that makes my heart sing. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut when you are preparing vegetables for your family. This recipe is super quick, super easy, and makes an absolutely delightful summer side dish. I try to keep some cooked veggies on hand in the fridge at all times.

Ingredients:

• One red bell pepper
• One green bell pepper
• One red onion
• 1-2 tablespoons of garlic
• Olive oil for drizzling
• Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon butter

Directions:

Coat the bottom of a sauté pan with a light layer of olive oil. Heat the tablespoon of butter over medium heat (on the stovetop). Chop up all the vegetables and throw into the pan with the melted butter and olive oil. Add the garlic. Cook the vegetables to the desired consistency (I like mine a little mushy). Remove from the heat and toss with Parmesan cheese before serving.

This method works with all kinds of garden vegetables, you don’t have to use bell peppers and red onion. That’s just what I had on hand. You can also try the same recipe with different seasonings—skip the garlic and the parmesan cheese and try Cajun seasoning instead for a little spice. Don’t be afraid to get creative, cooking is supposed to be fun!

What are your favorite garden fresh veggies to cook with in the summer?