In my ongoing quest to make vegetables more interesting, I decided to toss some flavors together. I peeled 4 carrots and one large parsnip. I cut them into sticks (the size of carrot sticks). I put them on a baking sheet and drizzled them with olive oil. I added salt and pepper and a teaspoon of dried rosemary (if I had fresh, I would use that instead). I roasted it at 350 for about half an hour(tossing halfway through) or until the veggies were tender. Then I chopped two slices of ham and added about 1/8 cup grated Manchego cheese. I put it back into the oven until the cheese melted. That’s it. Very simple, but it has tons of flavor and is not a boring veggie dish. I ate the leftovers as my lunch the next day, so it could stand as a main dish if you like just a little bit of meat. Serves 4 as a side, 2 as a main dish.

In my ongoing quest to make vegetables more interesting, I decided to toss some flavors together. I peeled 4 carrots and one large parsnip. I cut them into sticks (the size of carrot sticks). I put them on a baking sheet and drizzled them with olive oil. I added salt and pepper and a teaspoon … Read more →

This is a fun go-to when you simply can’t face another green salad and you don’t want to cook a vegetable for dinner! I like to use whole carrots for this when I have them, not baby carrots because I think they have more flavor.  When I made this recently though all I had were bagged baby carrots – I used about 3/4 of the bag in this recipe. If you use whole carrots, use one bunch.

Peel the carrots (if using whole) and grate them (I used the food processor to do this job). Put them in a bowl. Drizzle some extra virgin olive oil over the carrots – maybe 1 1/2 tablespoons. Season with salt and pepper. Add about 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon sugar (you’ll want to taste it to adjust it to your sweetness factor). One capful of bottled lemon juice (use fresh if you want – about 1 tsp). Then chop up about 2 tbsp fresh mint. Toss it all together. Allow the salad to sit for about an hour to get the most flavor. That’s it!

This is a fun go-to when you simply can’t face another green salad and you don’t want to cook a vegetable for dinner! I like to use whole carrots for this when I have them, not baby carrots because I think they have more flavor.  When I made this recently though all I had were … Read more →

I know I’m a few months early, but I’ve already decided what I’m making for Easter. I am in love with these carrots. There was a fight over the leftovers here.

half a bag of baby carrots

2 heaping tbsp brown sugar

2 tbsp butter

1 tsp dried dill

salt and pepper

4 tbsp white wine

chives or green onions

Slice the carrots into thick matchsticks – you want to get 4-6 per carrot. Boil until just tender. At the very end, drop in the green from green onions (scallions) or a handful of chives and just cook for a minute to wilt. Drain. Make little bundles of the carrots and tie with the chives or green onions (even if you only do a few, this still will look cute). Melt butter, sugar, dill, salt and pepper, and wine. Cook for a minute or two until combined and the wine has time to burn off and it thickens slightly.  Add the carrot bundles and gently stir, then serve. As you can see, I didn’t have a lot of success with the bundles, but I didn’t have much green onion here to work with. Next time I will have more and will be prepared. I just think this is so darn cute and will look wonderful for Easter.

I know I’m a few months early, but I’ve already decided what I’m making for Easter. I am in love with these carrots. There was a fight over the leftovers here. half a bag of baby carrots 2 heaping tbsp brown sugar 2 tbsp butter 1 tsp dried dill salt and pepper 4 tbsp white … Read more →

Looking for a simple dish to make with lots of flavor but no mess? This easy to make dish will be ready with almost no work and definitely no clean up.

1 bunch Swiss chard
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Roughly chop the chard, or rip it into pieces with your hands. Use a very large piece of parchment for this – at least 3 feet. Place the chard on the parchment. Dot with pieces of the butter. Sprinkle the balsamic around then season with salt and pepper. Fold up the paper and bake at 400 for 20 minutes.

When you open the packet, the beautiful color of the chard will please your eyes. The delicate flavors of butter and balsamic emphasize the fresh taste of the chard.

Looking for a simple dish to make with lots of flavor but no mess? This easy to make dish will be ready with almost no work and definitely no clean up. 1 bunch Swiss chard 2 tbsp butter 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar salt and pepper to taste Roughly chop the chard, or rip it into … Read more →

I really love to cook, but coming up with two vegetables a night gets to be a drag. Sometimes I just feel burned out by vegetables. Giving myself permission to come up with different no pot vegetables has made it all more interesting lately though. Last night I put together this bright and tasty veggie dish that we loved:

1 small zucchini, thinly sliced
1/2 cup bean sprouts
1 tbsp chopped parsley
7 drops sesame oil
3/4 tbsp tamari or soy sauce

Five ingredients in an easy no mess parchment paper packet! I put it all on the parchment then tossed with my hands. I folded it up and baked at 400 for about 15 minutes. It had tons of great flavor and was something completely different (no more carrots and peas, please!). This was enough for two adults. Mr. NoPot even had seconds (which you don’t see him doing with veggies – ever!).

I really love to cook, but coming up with two vegetables a night gets to be a drag. Sometimes I just feel burned out by vegetables. Giving myself permission to come up with different no pot vegetables has made it all more interesting lately though. Last night I put together this bright and tasty veggie … Read more →