Here's a delicious dish that you can make ahead, and make easily with the microwave &emdash; a quick way to steam vegetables during the busy holiday season! The fresh ginger in the dressing gives a zesty boost to these old favorites.

2 cups green beans, cut into two-inch pieces (fresh or frozen)

2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)

1/4 cup water

Sesame-Ginger Dressing:

2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce*

1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar*

1/2 teaspoon sesame oil*

1 teaspoon honey

1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (optional)

*Available in most grocery stores (usually in the Asian dry goods section).

Whisk dressing ingredients together. Set aside.

Microwave fresh green beans with water in covered bowl on high for 2 _ to 3 minutes. Remove cover carefully, allowing steam to escape away from you; stir green beans and add fresh broccoli florets. Cover and microwave together on high for 2 minutes. (If using frozen green beans and/or broccoli, follow microwave directions on packaging.)

Drain green beans and broccoli; mix in dressing while still warm. Let vegetables chill in refrigerator until ready to serve (at least 5 to 10 minutes). This is an official 5 A Day recipe, providing two serving of vegetables per person. Serves 4

Nutritional Analysis Per Serving: Calories, 42; Fiber, 3 g; Fat, 1 g; Cholesterol, 0 mg; Sodium, 317 mg

Source: National Cancer Institute