Roasted Vegetables

First of all I want to answer the big question! Yes I did see Julie and Julia, but no that is not why I am doing this. I have been planning this blog for awhile really as a tool to help my kids with their cooking. This is my fun blog but in the near future I plan to also have my serious blog which will discuss my feelings about our court system, incarceration, 3 strikes law and other similar issues that are really close to my heart and that I feel people need to be educated about.

Today however, I want to encourage you to try roasting your fresh vegetables. As Fall arrives (it will arrive won't it?), roasting veggies is such a great, yummy and most importantly easy way to prepare the servings we need. Just about any vegetable will work and you can pick one or mix a few together. The veggies that I like and that come to mind are: broccoli (comes out crunchy and sweet), asparagus (don't overcook), squash (any type), onions, mushrooms, cauliflower, peppers (red, green, yellow, orange), green beans, snap peas, eggplant, sweet potatoes, and red or white potatoes. You want to make sure that whichever you choose that you cut them up in similar sizes, like 1 inch cubes or 2 inch pieces, etc. so that they are done at the same time. This is particularly important if you mix several different types.

Roasted Vegetables
Prepare veggies by cubing, slicing, cutting same length pieces, or even leaving them whole (asparagus, beans, snap peas) if you like. Put on a jelly roll pan or if doing a small quantity place in a pyrex 9 X 9 pan or similar size. Toss them with a small amount of olive oil, just enough to lightly coat, a pinch of kosher salt, and ground pepper. Bake for 10 - 20 minutes, depending on preference of tenderness at 400 degrees. I like to add fresh herbs like dill, rosemary, oregano, parsley or dried italian seasoning or a small amount of balsamic vinegar. To sweet potatoes I like to add a drizzle of real maple syrup to sweeten them up. Any way you do it they come out absolutely delicious!


...don't forget the Spice!