🌿 Hey foodie friends! 🍲✨ Hope this post finds you in good health and high spirits.
Today, I'm sharing a beloved recipe from my kitchen – a veggie delight that's yet to be officially named. Let's call it a Ratatouille-inspired creation or maybe Veggie Harmony. I make this regularly for my family, and it's a hit, especially with my grandson. The beauty of this dish is in its simplicity, and you can customise it with your favourite veggies.
Once upon a time, in the bustling kitchen of our family home, there was a culinary dilemma.
I had these gorgeous butternut squash, swede, turnip, leek, and fennel on hand – a colourful ensemble that held immense potential. My children, always enchanted by the creamy wonders of béchamel sauce, posed a challenge: how could I transform these veggies into a dish that would dance harmoniously on their taste buds?
Let the enchantment begin in the kitchen!
It dawned on me that creating layers of thinly sliced veggies, each caressed by the velvety touch of dairy-free béchamel, might just be the answer. The idea wasn't just about feeding their bodies but igniting a symphony of flavours that would captivate their hearts.
As the layers took shape in the baking tray, pricked and seasoned with love, the aroma wafting through the kitchen was nothing short of enchanting. The anticipation of the golden, crusty top and the melding of flavours promised a culinary masterpiece.
With each slice, my children delved into a medley of textures – the tender butternut squash, the earthy swede, the robust turnip, the mild leek, and the aromatic fennel. Béchamel sauce, like a culinary maestro, conducted the symphony, ensuring every bite was a crescendo of delight.
And thus, a veggie delight was born – a dish that not only satisfied their taste buds but also became a canvas for culinary exploration. It was a testament to the power of creativity in the kitchen, where simple ingredients could transform into a family favourite.
As the aroma of the baking dish wafted through the air, it carried with it the essence of shared meals, laughter, and the joy of finding a delicious solution to a delightful dilemma. And so, in the heart of our kitchen, Veggie Harmony found its place as a cherished chapter in our family's culinary chronicles. 🌿🍲💖
Let’s dive into this recipe:
🥦 Ingredients:
Half butternut squash, cleaned, peeled, and sliced
1 swede, cleaned, peeled, and sliced
1 turnip, cleaned, peeled, and sliced
1 leek (white part only), halved and cleaned
1 fennel, cleaned and sliced
1 L homemade béchamel sauce (dairy-free in my case)
Sea salt and nutmeg to taste
👩🍳 Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 200ºC and prepare a 9 x 11 inches baking tray.
Begin with a layer of béchamel sauce and then a layer of butternut squash slices, pricking them with a fork, and sprinkle with salt.
Pour some béchamel sauce over the butternut squash layer.
Continue layering with swede, fennel, and turnip, always pricking them with a fork before placing on the tray. Between each veggie layer, add béchamel sauce and a sprinkle of salt over the veggies.
Finish with a final layer of butternut squash slices, cover with remaining béchamel, and sprinkle with freshly grated nutmeg if desired.
Cover the tray with baking paper and kitchen foil, then bake at 200ºC for about an hour.
Remove the foil and bake at 170ºC for an additional 20 minutes or until the top is golden and crusty.
Allow the dish to cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing.
🌈✨ More Tips:
Feel free to experiment with veggies like eggplant, zucchini, or bell peppers.
Try different herbs like thyme or rosemary for added flavour.
Make it a day ahead; the flavours meld beautifully.
🍽️ Enjoy this wholesome, flavourful creation! Feel free to get creative with your favourite veggies. 🌈✨
**Happy cooking!👩🍳💖 **
Simona
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