Roasting Means More than Just Meat

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A trip to the kitchen when that roast is cooking is more than the imagination can fathom. The smell alone makes the stomach growl. Pull it out of the oven and it’s a sight to behold. Most often when we think of roasting something we think of large pieces of meat. A beef roast or a pork roast even ham and turkey are roasted. Yet there are other foods that benefit from roasting.

Roasting foods entails using dry heat. Dry heat means that the foods are cooked uncovered with far little if any liquids being added. This type of cooking caramelizes the meat and gives it that beautiful golden color. It leaves your roasts with superior flavor and brings out the best in any meat product.

Many roasting meats are knotted up using a knot called the packers knot. This keeps the meat in a tight ball keeping those hidden surprises intact and ensuring your food is getting cooked evenly all the way around.

Another cool fact about roasting is that in most instances the meat comes out of the oven before it’s all the way done. The internal meat is still cooking and gives us that slow cooked touch. It allows for all the juices to sink in giving you that mouthwatering taste.

Meats aren’t the only foods that benefit from the roasting process. Most vegetables can be roasted as well. Here are just a few vegetables that roasting will enhance in flavor.

•    Potatoes- When roasted the texture and taste of the potatoes skin change
•    Zucchini- Gives it a juicy yet crunchy taste
•    Pumpkin- Roasting really brings out the best in pumpkin
•    Turnips- Makes for a healthy treat
•    Cauliflower- Lets you add a zesty flavor to any meat
•    Squash- A great side dish to that main course
•    Peppers- Livens your food up and gives it a spicier taste

There are some tricks you should know to make that roasting experience better. Make sure to rub the meat or vegetables with a little butter or some sort of oil. This allows for moisture to remain in the meat rather than losing all of it in the air while cooking. Another good tip is to put your meat into a plastic bag while being roasted. This allows for the cooking time to be cut in half and also helps keep juices in the meat.

Roasting isn’t the healthiest way to cook your foods as it does take a lot away from what you cook. When roasting meat there’s a spicier taste, so if you like your taste buds to tingle then roasting is perfect way to go.

Roasting is just as effective as your traditional baking, seeing as it derived from that. Stop just imagining all the wonders you can create and go to your kitchen and start roasting up an unforgettable meal.

Cheesy Broccoli, Cauliflower and Corn Soup

creamysoup

What You Need:

2 (10 oz.) pkgs. frozen cut broccoli, thawed and drained
2 (10 oz.) pkgs. frozen cauliflower, thawed and drained
1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen corn, thawed and drained
3 (14 oz.) cans vegetable broth
2 tsp dried dill
16 oz. American cheese, cubed

How to Make It:

Combine the broccoli, cauliflower and corn in the slow cooker.
Pour the broth over the vegetables and sprinkle in the dill.
Cover the slow cooker and cook the soup on low for 7 hours.
Adjust the heat to high and stir in the cheese.
Recover and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the cheese melts.

Makes 6 servings

It’s so easy to throw this great soup together and even easier to walk away and let it simmer. If you’re in a pinch for time cook this soup on high for 3 hours. Leftovers make a great rice casserole. Mix the leftovers with rice and throw in some sweet red peppers. Top with you favorite shredded cheese and cover the top with breadcrumbs. Bake it for 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven and you have a great meal the family is sure to love from leftovers.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 7 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: approximately 7 hours 45 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 295; Fat 20g; Saturated Fat 12g; Carbohydrates 15g; Fiber 4g; Protein 17g; Cholesterol 58 mg; Sodium 1,609 mg

Floret Salad with Raisins and Walnuts

florets

What You Need:

6 C broccoli florets, steamed until tender
3 C cauliflower florets, steamed until tender
1/2 C of raisins
1/3 C walnuts, broken
1/4 C salad oil
1/4 C cider vinegar
1 tsp honey
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp pepper

How to Make It:

Place half of the broccoli in a large salad bowl.
Layer half of the cauliflower over the broccoli.
Sprinkle half of the raisins and walnuts over the top.
Repeat the layers again.
Cover the bowl and chill for at least 2 hours.
Whisk the oil, vinegar and honey together in a mixing bowl.
Add the salt, basil and pepper and whisk until blended in well.
Pour the dressing over the salad just before serving.

Makes 10 servings

What a yummy budget friendly salad to serve at those potluck dinners or large families get together. It’s colorful and healthy but most importantly it tastes great. After adding the dressings serve the salad within 2 hours to keep it from losing its crisp fresh taste.

Preparation Time: approximately 25 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 4 minutes
Chilling Time: approximately 2 hours
Total Time: approximately 2 hours 29 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate value per serving)
Calories 128; Fat 8g; Saturated Fat 1g; Carbohydrates 13g; Fiber 3g; Protein 3g; Cholesterol 0 mg; Sodium 261 mg

Swiss Mac and Veggies

macaroni

umacaroniWhat You Need:

1 (10 oz.) pkg. macaroni shells
2 C frozen cauliflower, broccoli and carrots
1 C of milk
1 (3 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, cubed
1/4 t of pepper
3/4 C Swiss cheese, shredded
1/4 C Parmesan cheese, grated

How to Make It:

Cook the macaroni as directed on the page.
During the last 5 minutes the macaroni is cooking add the frozen vegetables.
Drain the macaroni and vegetables well.
Mix together the milk and cream cheese in a sauce pan.
Sprinkle in the pepper and stir to combine.
Cook over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring almost constantly until the cheese melts.
Add the macaroni and vegetables to the sauce and stir to coat.
Stir in the Swiss and Parmesan cheese until well blended and creamy.

Makes 4 servings

This is a new twist on an old favorite. Kids love macaroni and cheese and this may be just the dish you need to get them to eat their vegetables. You can use cheddar cheese in place of the Swiss if you prefer.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 10 minutes (not including the pasta)
Total Time: approximately 25 minutes (not including the pasta)

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 598; Fat 25g; Saturated Fat 14g; Carbohydrates 66g; Fiber 3g; Protein 28g; Cholesterol 86 mg; Sodium 596 mg

Alfredo Red Pepper Rotini

pepperscuttingvoard

pepperscuttingvoardWhat You Need:

8 oz. of rotini pasta
2 small red sweet peppers cut into pieces
1 C yellow summer squash, sliced
2 C of fresh asparagus, cut into pieces
1 (10 oz.) container of prepared Alfredo sauce
1/4 t dried thyme
1/4 t crush red pepper
1/8 t pepper

How to Make It:

Cook the pasta as directed on the package.
3 minutes before the pasta is done stir in the red pepper, the squash and asparagus.
Cook for 3 minutes or until the vegetables are fork tender then drain well.
Place the Alfredo sauce into a saucepan.
Stir in the thyme and crushed red pepper.
Place the pan over medium heat and heat the sauce for 5 minutes or until bubbly.
Add the vegetable mixture and stir until blended in well.
Season the rotini with the pepper before serving.

Makes 4 servings

Mix up your vegetables in this delicious side dish. Use broccoli and cauliflower or carrots and peas instead of the squash and asparagus. You may also substitute yellow sweet peppers for the red if you wish. This will only give it a different color as both peppers have the same flavoring.

Preparation Time: approximately 20 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 8 minutes (not including the pasta)
Total Time: approximately 28 minutes + pasta cooking time

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 421; Fat 12f; Saturated Fat 6g; Carbohydrates 66g; Fiber 2g;
Protein 15g; Cholesterol 31 mg; Sodium 622 mg

Roasted Cauliflower with Onions Wedges

cauliflower

Wcauliflowerhat You Need:

2 T of olive oil
6 C of cauliflower florets
2 onions cut into wedges
1/2 t salt
1/2 t pepper

How to Make It:

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat.
Add the cauliflower and onions stirring to coat with the hot oil.
Roast the vegetables for 8 minutes or until tender, stirring often for even roasting.
Season the vegetables with the salt and pepper before serving.

Makes 4 servings

Broccoli may also be added to this quick and simple side dish. Adjust the amount of cauliflower when adding broccoli so you have a total of 6 C of both vegetables. This dish goes well with beef or pork.

Preparation Time: approximately 5 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 8 minutes
Total Time: approximately 13 minutes

Hodge Podge Chicken Dinner

hodgepodgechix

hodgepodgechixWhat You Need:

1 small onion, sliced thin
1 (28 oz.) can tomatoes
1 t dried basil
1 t dried oregano
1 t dried marjoram
2 C of bow tie pasta
1 1/2 lbs chicken thighs
1/2 t salt
1/4 t of pepper
5 garlic cloves, chopped
1 C of carrots, sliced
1 C of cauliflower florets
1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into thin strips

How to Make It:

Preset the oven to 450 degrees.
Spray the bottom and sides of a cast iron Dutch oven with cooking spray.
Scatter the onions over the bottom of the pan.
Pour the juice off of the tomatoes into a measuring cup and enough water to the juice to make 1 C of liquid.
Stir the basil, oregano and marjoram into the tomato juice mixture.
Spread the pasta into the pan and pour in 3/4 C of the tomato juice mixture.
Sprinkle the chicken with the salt and pepper and lay if over the pasta.
Spread the tomatoes evenly over the top of the chicken.
Scatter the garlic over the chicken pieces.
Place the carrots, cauliflower and bell pepper into the pan.
Pour the remaining tomato juice mixture over the vegetables.
Cover and bake 45 minutes or until the vegetables are fork tender and chicken is cooked through.

Makes 4 servings

This dish can be made using just about any type of vegetable. Mix and match corn, green beans, broccoli, zucchini, squash or even eggplant to a just throw it in there easy dinner meal.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Baking Time: approximately 45 minutes
Total Time: approximately 1 hour

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 304; Fat 4g; Carbohydrates 34g; Cholesterol 75 mg; Sodium 660 mg; Protein 32g; Fiber 4g

Mixed Floret Vegetable Salad

broccoli

broccoliWhat You Need:

4 C of broccoli florets
2 C cauliflower florets
6 carrots, cleaned and cut into slices
2 C of frozen peas, thawed
3 celery ribs, cut into slices
1/2 C onion, chopped fine
1/2 C of red seedless grapes
1/2 C of green seedless grapes
1 C of mayonnaise
1/2 C of milk
2 T cider vinegar
1 T of sugar
1/2 C of sunflower seeds

How to Make It:

In a large salad bowl put the broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, peas, celery, and onion and toss together.
Add the grapes and stir gently to combine.
Whisk together in a separate bowl the mayonnaise, milk and vinegar.
Whisk in the sugar until completely dissolved.
Pour the dressing over the salad and gently stirred to coat.
Sprinkle the top with the sunflower seeds.
Put in refrigerator and chill at least 60 minutes before serving.

Makes 12 servings

Preparation Time: approximately 20 minutes
Chill Time: approximately 1 hour
Total Time: approximately 1 hour 20 minutes

This is a refreshing mixture of fruits and vegetables with a crunchy twist. Instead of the sunflower seeds you may add any type of nuts. Make the salad your own by mixing and matching different fruits and vegetables.

Nothing but Veggie Casserole

cooking_fresh_vegestables

cooking_fresh_vegestablesWhat You Need:

2 C of water
1/2 C of fresh cauliflower florets
1/2 C of fresh carrots
1/2 C frozen peas
1/2 C of onion
1/4 C of red pepper, sliced
1/4 t of pepper
1/2 t of salt
2 T fresh parsley, chopped

How to Make It:

Place the cooker trivet into the cooker and add the water.
Lightly oil a small casserole dish.
Layer the cauliflower, carrots, peas, onion and red pepper slices into the dish.
Sprinkle the salt and pepper evenly over the vegetables.
Using aluminum foil, tightly cover the casserole.
Set the casserole dish onto the trivet.
Bring the cooker pressure to high pressure quickly and cook 2 minutes.
Release the pressure quickly by running under cold water.
Sprinkle the casserole evenly with the parsley before serving.

Substitute frozen vegetables for any of the fresh vegetables if you prefer. You could also add broccoli, green beans or substitute them for other vegetables.

Makes 4 servings

Colorful Vegetable Mix

colorful-veggies

colorful-veggiesWhat You Need:

2 carrots, sliced thin
1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
1 bunch of broccoli, cut into florets
2 C of cherry tomatoes
1 (6 oz.) can small ripe olives, pitted and drained
1 C Italian salad dressing
1 envelope Italian salad dressing mix
1 C feta cheese, crumbled

How to Make It:

Place the carrots into a large serving bowl.
Add the cauliflower and broccoli and toss to combine.
Gently combine the tomatoes and olives into the mixture.
Pour the salad dressing into a small mixing bowl.
Sprinkle in the salad dressing mix and whisk until blended in well.
Pour the mixture over the vegetables, toss and cover the bowl.
Refrigerate at least 4 hours or until very chilled.
Remove from the refrigerator, toss again and sprinkle with the cheese.

Makes 12 servings

This salad tastes better the longer it is chilled. The chilling process give the vegetables time to take on the Italian dressing flavor so the longer it is chilled the stronger the Italian taste will be. Zucchini, cucumbers or summer squash may also be added to this salad.