Italian Spices

• Italian vegetables can go with many different dinner themes that are not necessarily Italian-flavored to add flavor to the whole meal, like grilled chicken or pork chops, or as a healthier side to hamburgers. Add granulated garlic, butter, salt and Italian seasoning. Top it with grated Parmesan cheese on each plate. Another idea for Italian mixed vegetables is to add a package of pesto spice mix and butter to the mixed vegetables. This makes an easy all-in-one spice blend for the vegetables.

Indian Spices

• Using mixed vegetables to make curry is an Americanized version of Indian food, but the flavors and seasonings can be very authentic. This can be eaten as a vegetarian meal by itself or served with a meat to make a full meal. Mix 2 tsp. of brown mustard seeds and 1 tbsp. black gram in a skillet over medium heat with oil until the mustard seeds turn gray. Add 1/4 tsp. asafoetida powder, 1/2 tsp. turmeric and two 16-oz. packages of mixed vegetables. Saute the vegetables until they become tender. Add cayenne pepper to taste, if you like spicy food. Serve with wedges of lime.

Asian Spices

• Use Asian mixed vegetable blend or traditional mixed vegetables to make Asian mixed vegetables. Heat sesame oil in a pan and add the mixed vegetables. While tossing the vegetables in the pan, add granulated garlic and onion, powdered ginger, salt, pepper, soy sauce, dried cilantro, and a dash of sugar. Taste the sauteed mix to see if you need to add more spices. Start with fewer spices, as you can always add more. To make a full meal with the mixed vegetables, add chunks of chicken or beef, stock, and enough cornstarch to thicken the liquid. Serve the sauteed mix over rice.

No Salt

• Salt enhances the flavor of everything, so although the idea of using no salt may sound bland to a lot of people, the right amount of spices can taste just as good as or even more flavorful than when salt is used. Mix 5 tsp. of onion powder, 1 tsp. dried thyme, 1/2 tsp. pepper, 1/2 tsp. celery seed, and 1 tbsp. each of garlic powder, paprika and dry mustard. Add 2 tbsp. of the spice blend to one 16-oz. package of frozen mixed vegetables. Taste and add more if needed. Place the seasoning on the table to use instead of salt.