Proud Italian Cook

Winter Vegetable Torte

January 26, 2012 by Marie 65 Comments

I love my spring form pans I use them for so many things, I think I have every size they make. They’re great for layering vegetables that are “glued together” with various cheese, as in this torte.
This recipe was born from small containers of roasted vegetables I had tucked away in my fridge, and one large sweet potato, and I must say it turned out mighty good, a different variation than my zucchini, eggplant version.

You can’t get a better side dish because everything is all contained in one flavorful wedge!

I started with very thinly sliced sweet potato, it makes a nice sturdy base to start off with. Then each layer a different vegetable which in the end it will make it look pretty when cut into a wedge. In between each layer sprinkle grated cheese and shredded cheese like mozzarella or asiago for the “glue” to hold the layers nicely together. End with another sturdy vegetable like sweet potato or even sliced butternut squash, top with a sprinkling of more cheese.
I used a 6 inch spring form pan that was deep and allowed me to have many layers, just remember to press down in between, place the pan on a baking sheet so you won’t have drips in your oven when cooking and cover the top with foil. Roast at 425 for 20 minutes, then take the foil off and roast another 15 minutes or until the top is golden. Let it rest for 30 minutes or even longer before you slice it into wedges.

Use your imagination and the vegetables of your choice, here’s a list of what I used for my winter vegetable torte.
No doubt I will be making this again!
Follow along with me on Instagram to see what else I’m cooking up during the week!

65 Comments Filed Under: Savory Tarts, Side Dishes, Vegetables, Winter Tagged: springform pan, sweet potato, vegetable torte, winter side dish, winter vegetables

Playing with Portobello’s

January 19, 2012 by Marie 19 Comments

Large portobellos are so meaty and satisfying, it’s the perfect vehicle for pasta topped stuffing.

Tiny star pasta called stelline, tossed with garlic, red, yellow and orange peppers, fresh herbs and cheese of your choice. For a nice light lunch or dinner, it’s delicious served with a salad, or you can have it as a side dish to accompany your favorite protein, either way you’ll love it, and it looks pretty too!

The topping could be made in advance then arranged on the mushrooms at the last minute.

In a small pan drizzled with olive oil add minced garlic, finely diced red, yellow and orange diced peppers. Stir in fresh herbs like basil and parsley and your favorite shredded cheese, I used romano and asiago. Toss in your precooked tiny pasta.
The mushrooms I slightly precooked in a 425 degree oven until they started to wilt a little.
Top each mushroom with the pasta mixture, then place under the broiler for up to 5 minutes or until the topping is golden or mushrooms are warmed through.

Portobellos also make a fantastic meatless lasagna, stack three high and fill each cap with a layer of marinara then top with a mixture made up of of ricotta, grated romano, mozzarella, asiago, basil and parsley.
Prepare mushrooms as above.
Spoon more marinara over the top and bake for around 15 minutes in a 400 degree oven or just until warmed through.

Buon Appetito!

19 Comments Filed Under: Vegetables Tagged: portobella mushrooms, portobello mushrooms, stuffed portobello

Faux Spaghetti

January 9, 2012 by Marie 35 Comments

If you’re going easy on the carbs right now but have a craving for spaghetti, I have the perfect solution for you!
Al’ dente strands of julienned zucchini tossed with roasted veggies of your choice flavored with shaved garlic, olive oil, basil, red pepper flakes and generous amounts of grated romano cheese.

You’ll love the flavor and texture and even if you’re not watching your carbs it can be the perfect meatless meal along with a salad.

I love my handy julienne slicer it works so fast, before you know it you’ll have a pile of zucchini “pasta” right before your eyes, just work the sides and when you reach the seeds, give it a turn.
The core of the zucchini will be left which I then dice and roast up for future use.

I roasted two different color cauliflower for mine and added some cherry tomatoes, next time I’ll roast those too, I forgot, but it didn’t matter, it was so yummy anyway!

Here’s what you do:

First, roast off the veggies of your choice in a 425 degree oven tossed with olive oil, salt and pepper, then set aside.
Have your zucchini “pasta” all ready to go then heat up a large saute pan drizzled with olive oil, add shaved garlic and red pepper flakes, saute until garlic is light golden. Next, add zucchini and cook for only about 2 minutes tossing with some tongs just until wilted and still al’ dente. Remove pan from heat, add the roasted veggies, fresh basil, lots of grated romano cheese and of course another drizzle of olive oil!