Showing posts with label veggies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label veggies. Show all posts

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Cauliflower Fried Rice with Spring Veggies and Chives




Weekday dinner just got exciting in a big way. If you like Chinese food you are going to love this healthy version of Fried Rice. It has all of the yummy components of traditional Fried Rice minus the rice. 






Rice is most likely a pantry staple in most homes used as a starchy side next to or with veggies and meat of some sort or as a 'filler' for a vegetarian meal. Debatably, rice, especially processed white rice really isn't a healthy food to eat and has several downfalls to it's few qualities. For instance, and I'll keep it super short so I don't bore you (more than I already am?) white rice has been waaaay over processed and completely stripped of any nutritional value, enough so that the FDA requires that it be "enriched" or "fortified" with vitamins and minerals.

Brown rice while a healthier option for it's vitamin content and fiber still has a few concerning negative qualities so I eat it vary rarely if at all any more.  Why?  Brown rice is very good at naturally 'leeching' non organic arsenic, found in pesticides and insecticides from the soil and water and is absorbed by rice as it grows. The inorganic form of arsenic, a toxin known to cause liver, lung, kidney and bladder cancer. I found this out when I tried substituting brown rice syrup for sugar several years ago and did some research. A lot of research. 


All rice, grains and nuts have large amounts of phytic acid in them. 
Phytic acid, the storage form of phosphorus,  is one of those pesky “anti-nutrients” the Paleo community keeps telling you to avoid. It’s often considered an anti-nutrient because it  binds minerals in the digestive tract, making them less available to our bodies. 

The process that produces brown rice removes only the outermost layer, the hull, of the rice kernel and is the least damaging to its nutritional value. The complete milling and polishing that converts brown rice into white rice destroys 67% of the vitamin B3, 80% of the vitamin B1, 90% of the vitamin B6, half of the manganese, half of the phosphorus, 60% of the iron, and all of the dietary fiber and essential fatty acids. Fully milled and polished white rice is required to be "enriched" with vitamins B1, B3 and iron. 


Buuttt......... 


White rice doesn't contain the phytate and trypsin inhibitor content of the less-milled brown rice and if you cook it properly (which neutralizes the haemagglutinin-lectin) you don’t have much to worry about as far as an anti-nutrient perspective. 

The debate goes on.... if you're interested in that sort of thing. 


Listen, eating rice is not going to kill you, quickly...... just kidding. However, I for one have decided that it's pretty much a super bland, super starchy (yeah, your body does need some starch to survive but there's starch in healthier foods out there) not so healthy food/filler to eat therefore, not worth it. 

Decide for yourself, I'm no expert. 








What I DO know for a fact is that eating more vegetables is a good thing. I for one can not get enough of them. Cauliflower is one of my favorite veggies although if you told me I would say that when I was 10 I would have thought you were craze-E! I've been using cauliflower in lots of dishes like these Chipotle Cheddar Poppers,  Buffalo Cauliflower 'wings' and even as a healthy, gluten free pizza crust!









It's really hard to tell that this is not rice, especially with a little bit of Tamari sprinkled on top but you can taste cauliflower so if your a hater this dish might not be for you. However, my kids never raised a skeptical eyebrow and happily gobbled this Cauliflower Fried Rice up.



TIME     30 MINUTES        SERVES    6



1 medium head of cauliflower, leaves removed and chopped

1 cup mixed frozen vegetables, rinsed and drained
1 small red bell pepper, diced into small pieces
2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon sesame oil (for frying the cauliflower and egg)
4 large Organic, free range brown eggs, whisked

Fresh chives, chopped



Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. 

In a large food processor or powerful blender, place half of the cauliflower florets. Pulse several times until you have a rice like consistency. Be careful not to over process or you will have mush! Scoop cauliflower 'rice' into a bowl and set aside. Do this to the remaining cauliflower. 

Pour sesame oil (not the toasted kind) into the hot skillet. Dump the cauliflower carefully into the skillet and spread it out evenly over the pan tossing to cover with the oil. Let it sit for a few minutes to brown and release some moisture. Add the red bell pepper toss once or twice and let it continue to 'fry'.  

Add the rinsed and drained veggies, stir to combine. 

Meanwhile,  heat a non stick pan over medium-high heat. Add sesame oil (not toasted) to pan and swirl to coat. Pour in the eggs. Using a silicone spatula push the eggs towards the center of the pan working your way around. Let them sit for 1 minute then repeat, pushing them towards the center of the pan working your way around. Do not overcook the eggs! You want them to be undercooked and slightly runny.  

Add the toasted sesame oil to the cauliflower, store to combine. Pour the eggs into the cauliflower and quickly fold them into the mixture cooking just 1-2 minutes more until eggs are just done. Remove from heat, serve in bowls piping hot. Garnish with tamari and chives.
















resources 

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Spring Pea and Pistachio Pasta with Ricotta #SundaySuppers























Simplicity is what I think of for Mother's Day. Simple, home made gifts from my children made from the heart. Hugs and kisses and I love you's first thing in the morning served with oddly shaped pancakes on a platter next to a flower picked from the garden.  note to self: we need a garden.









Also, I like to remind myself how lucky I am to have three mothers in my life each of them special to me in very unique ways. My own mom who has lived with me for most of my adult life has taught me by devoted example how to live a very natural lifestyle and has always been there to help watch our children and love them (sometimes I'm sure they love her more than me ;) She is my constant friend, companion and shoulder to cry on. 

My step mom who married my dad when I was at the tempered age of 15 loves me despite those first few years of resentment, anger and the confusion of divorce and joining two large families into one. I've grown to know her as a true friend and someone I look up to and love for her sweet and understanding spirit.

My mother in law, well we have different ways of thinking at times, both of us strong willed and opinionated. She values family first and foremost and is a dedicated mother and wife. We have grown to understand and respect each other in most ways and it is a relationship I look forward to growing. Mostly, I love her for raising a man I love beyond words. 


Simplicity in all things for Mother's day is what I look forward to the most. Breakfast in bed, a clean house that I had nothing to do with and a simple dinner we can sit down to and enjoy as a family. This simple pasta was creamy and light with one of my favorite fresh herbs, tarragon to add just a touch of unpretentious flavor. 


You could add any vegetables to make this more substantial, summer zucchini, sweet peppers, mushrooms. Chicken, diced ham, shrimp or crab would also go well in this dish.




Ingredients


1 cup roasted unsalted pistachio nuts (buy them in their shell, if possible)

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 small handful of fresh tarragon leaves

1/3 cup grated good quality Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano)

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

a pinch of sea salt

6 oz whole grain pasta

zest of 1 large lemon

a squeeze of lemon juice


Put the first 6 ingredients into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse till nuts are finely ground. 

Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water until is is just al dente. Drain water from pasta reserving a few tablespoons and set aside.  

Pour pasta into a large serving bowl. Grate in the zest of the lemon, and add a squeeze of the juice. Toss the pasta with the pistachio mixture adding a tablespoon or two of reserved pasta water if too dry. Add most of the ricotta to the hot pasta until creamy and well coated. Spoon in additional small spoonfuls of ricotta for texture and extra bits of creamy goodness. Spoon pasta into bowls, serve with freshly ground cracked pepper and Garnish with tarragon sprigs.







      This is my very first Sunday Supper post and I couldn't be more excited! There is a growing number of fantastic bloggers who commit to share a common value of families eating together at the table each and every Sunday. I have been in a blogging 'rut' for the last several months asking myself why exactly I put in the time that I do towards blogging when it doesn't seem to reach the masses or make a difference in the way people feel about healthy eating. I hope Sunday Suppers will help me continue to reach my goal of 'Family First' and "Healthy Habits'. 





      I want to thank my friend Liz of 'That Skinny Chick Can Bake' for hosting this weeks Sunday Supper. I've been a follower of her blog for, well ever! If you haven't yet, please visit her site for creative and mouthwatering desserts and more. She's a real sweetheart.


      Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our http://pinterest.com/thesundaysupper/sundaysupper/">#SundaySupper Pinterest board
      for more fabulous recipes and food photos.


      Monday, April 7, 2014

      Healthy Tips and Recipes for Families from Ellen Briggs of Family Food Experts & Kid Critics #WorldHealthDay


      As a mom of 4 I know all about picky eaters! I totally get the time, effort, dedication and enormous amount of patience it takes to get kids to eat a variety of healthy foodsWhile I sometimes "sneak" healthy foods into our meals I much prefer to have fruits and vegetables openly visible on our plates so that my children can recognize them and eventually, hopefully have a better appreciation and knowledge about what healthy foods are. We are trying to raise health minded adults after all. 





      So when I was contacted by Ellen Briggs, founder of Family Food Experts and author of several books geared towards families eating and being healthy I was excited to share some of the fun ideas and great tips with all of you. For instance, we all know that smell has a lot to do with how we perceive and even taste foods but did you know that you can easily remove the strong odors that many sulfuric veggies naturally have? 

      How to REDUCE NASTY SULFUR SMELLS: Do your kids run away every time you cook broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage or brussel sprouts? Reduce their offensive odors by adding a piece of stale bread or 2 celery stalks in the cooking water. 

      I'm loving all of the really simple recipes, tips and games on the Family Food Experts and Kid Critics website, I hope you will add them to your reading list!


      Here are 5 tips inspired by the Fuel Your DreamsTM program to help families with small children to choose and eat healthier foods. 


      Teach your kids about the connection between what they eat and drink and what happens inside their bodies. Once they learn that 100 billion neurons in their brain send thousands of messages so they can run fast, they are totally motivated to eat avocados and sweet potatoes so they can be the best they can be.  Kids will eat healthy foods that taste good.

      Don’t make broccoli a 4-letter word.  Find ways to include fruits and vegetables in creative and varied ways, and your kids will love to experiment and add it to their menu.

      Be transparent with your kids – they’re too smart.  Rather than hiding, pureeing, masking vegetables, if you prepare and present them properly, kids will embrace vegetables and create healthy, lifelong habits.

      You become what you eat and drink.  However, kids need a reason to eat healthy food beyond “your mom said so.”  So, for example, if a kid wants to be an NFL football player (a popular choice among boys) or a veterinarian (the number one pick among girls surveyed), educate them on what specific foods can “fuel their body for success.”

      Don’t “dumb it down.”  Kids are critical thinkers (love to ask and understand the “why”); they love to vote (power); and they appreciate being heard. Further, kids are egocentric, focused primarily on their own desires. Once kids understand WHY nutrition fuels success, they will crave it.







      The Family Food ExpertsTM team is dedicated to providing healthier food solutions that kids love to eat so they can become the best they can be.  The team developed the Kid Kritics ApprovedTMSeal as a way to make food purchasing and meal preparation easier for families by identifying foods that are “kid approved” that also pass firm ingredient standards.  

      Fuel Your DreamsTM uses a variety of educational and online tools to motivate kids to want to eat healthier so they can optimize their potential, and empowers parents to understand that kids will eat healthy foods as long as they taste good.



      Founder Ellen Briggs authored “Are Your Kids Running on Empty?” and “Mom, I’m Hungry.  What’s for Dinner?”  Briggs hosts the "Family Food Experts TM Kitchen" radio show, and along with co-host Carolina Lima Jantac, MS, RD, LD, and Manager of Healthier Recipe Moms, hosts “Better Food Choices,” both found on iHeartRadio.  Briggshas been featured on Fox and Friends and on NBC, CBS, PBS, FOX, and more. 





      Some of my favorite recipes that get kids to eat their veggies:



      Bubble and Squeak has yummy brussel sprouts, potatoes and cheese, yum!



















      Roasted Butternut Squash Tacos with South Western Black Beans are one of my kids favorite dinners.
























      Almost Meatless Sloppy Joe's
























      Baked Parmesan Eggplant Dippers























      Share your tips and tricks on getting kids to eat healthier.

      What is your child's favorite veggie? 

      How do you incorporate veggies into your family's diet?


      Monday, September 9, 2013

      Chinese Chicken Salad with Honey-Peanut Dressing










      This absolutely falls into the "What to make when you don't feel like making dinner" category. 
      I even used a store bought rotisserie chicken (gasp!) because, well, I really didn't feel like doing a damn thing involving the oven yesterday. I blame the crazy, unrelenting heat here in Phoenix. You're probably tired of my using that excuse and quite frankly I'm tired too. All of us Zonies deal with the triple scorching digits in our own way May through August but I gotta tell you, come mid September, I personally am spent. Done and down right cranky.








      We didn't even get an honest to goodness Monsoon this year! This may not sound like a bad thing if you live in the mid-west or maybe in Japan.  Complaining about  not  getting 80+ mph winds and feet upon feet of rushing waters because the bone dry, compacted desert ground can't absorb it fast enough might sound crazy if you in fact did not live in the South Western deserts of Arizona. You must keep in mind that even the tall and mighty saguaro start looking parched and pathetic by the end of a summer were temperatures have been consistently averaging around 115F.  Every. Single. Day. 











      This salad was a welcomed treat for a weeknight dinner. The kiddos thought it "looked pretty" with all of the colors and loved the honey-peanut sauce which made the veggies "taste yummier". 


      This could very easily be made vegetarian by omitting the chicken. You would still have a lot of protein from the peanut sauce and the bean sprouts which are a wonderful source of protein. Also, you could use tahini (a sesame paste with a milder flavor than peanut) if you prefer.




      The Crunch Factor in this salad makes it very filling. I used baby clementines instead of canned mandarin oranges this time because I had a big gab of them on the counter. I much preferred the fresh taste but the little seeds in them were annoying to pick out in each bite especially with all of the other crunchiness going on.



       juice from the mandarin oranges
      tablespoon at a time of warm water to thin to desired consistency


      PREP TIME  15 MINUTES        SERVES   6


      INGREDIENTS

      2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
      1/2 head Napa cabbage, chopped
      1 large handful fresh bean sprouts
      1 red bell pepper cut in strips
      1 bunch green onions, chopped
      handful of packaged julienned carrots
      1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
      small handful of chopped peanuts
      1 can mandarin oranges, reserve juice

      1 tablespoon (no added sugar) peanut butter (or tahini)
      1tablespoon local, Organic honey
      1tablespoon tamari



      Putting it all together

      In a large bowl combine all veggies and toss together.
      Add chopped chicken and toss.
      In a small bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, honey, soy sauce juice and water.
      Drizzle the sauce over the salad and sprinkle with nuts.
      Tamari Soy Sauce, Wheat Free, Organic










      Wednesday, July 24, 2013

      Greek Yogurt and Goat Cheese Tzaziki Roasted Red Pepper Zucchini Rolls with Pesto Dip A.K.A. Extremely Creative and Interesting Snacks for an Unbearably Boring Mom.























      Let's talk about creative energy, or rather the lack there of. For instance, I'm pretty sure that I had something rather interesting to say 15 minutes ago but since then 1 million and 1 other extremely important things have happened. Such is the life of a mom of 4. Any mom actually, but I speak for myself (disclaimer numero uno).


      Case and point. In the last 15 minutes I have:

      Tried to console a very distraught 4 year old little girl about a broken crayon which her 8 year old very artistic brother absolutely had to have because it was  "Imperial Blue" and the exact shade he needed to finish his bird drawing and "NO!" another shade of blue from the enormous bucket of crayons wouldn't do and excuse me please but it in fact is not a crayon but a pastel! ..............................





      Stopped 3 times to put on baby doll clothes. On the same baby doll.

      Tried to reason with a dramatic 6 year old over why it's not the end of the world when someone touches him, looks at him, breathes on him.

      Prepared myself for yet another night of over reactive drama and whining about how grosssssss dinner is before they even know what it is.

      Tried to take a picture or two of for mentioned dinner when the house we moved into several months ago does not have ONE SINGLE north facing window, or any decent window for food photography for that matter.  (note to self, look for new house immediately. post note, be in complete denial that the housing market is yet again rising faster than my strategic abilities allow.)



      Exaggerating? Who me? NO. Not this time my friends, not this time. Life as a mom, end of story. 

      Again, I'm pretty sure I had something very creative or mildly interesting to say in regards to this post 15 minutes ago but alas, you will forgive me as my creativity has been sucked away over the years and replaced with the cutest of cute, adorable, little, needy monsters. 







      What's the opposite of boring? These super cute snack containers from Planet Box. I. heart. their lunch boxes and so when they offered to send me one of their brand new sectioned snack boxes, 
      "The Shuttle" with a perfect little dipping container I was waiting by the window for the UPS guy.  


      This little snack container was much roomier than I imagined and perfect for my portioned, 5 a day small meals. As you can see it held my 'second' lunch quite nicely and I won't even mention the fact that my dear husband swiped it from me the  next morning. I did get a nice text message around lunch time about how fantastic my zucchini rolls were. Cudos.




      I love Planet Boxes sleek and convenient  design and that the magnets were interchangeable. My boys loved this alien one and when mommy wants to take it to work I simply take the magnets off or I can switch them out for one of their other cute magnets. These cute space guys ended up on our fridge. 








      Several different sizes to choose form with eco-conscience design and cute carriers. I love it!




      Back to School Time Already! Time to get a sturdy lunch box that will last through the year! 



      Planet Box sent me these items, all opinions are my own.





      Sunday, July 7, 2013

      Almost Meatless Sloppy Joe's
























      It's been a long week. I just finished Day 6 of my Extreme workout program and I feel AMAZING! Tired and sore but also stronger and better. Even something as simple as bending down and putting in a load of laundry I could actually feel my shoulder and back muscles working. They do actually exist. Who knew? One day I might even find my ABS!





      Independence Day was a fun day spent with my sister and her cute family. My 4 little nieces came over and we all swam and BBQ'd and then swam some more. Then we had a banana split party complete with cherries, star sprinkles, chopped walnuts, strawberries, chocolate fudge and of course lots of whip cream. I only had a couple of bites...... mostly banana, honestly.

      Anyhooo, since I've been working out I've found myself hungry all of the time. Literally starving. I've been lifting weights and doing interval training and so my body is building lots of lean muscle which really revs up your metabolism. Good thing I planned ahead and had lots of healthy foods around like hummus and crudites, cottage cheese and fruit, nuts and lean cheeses and chicken and broccoli.



      I have found myself craving meat for the very first time ever, well except for when I was pregnant with baby #2.  I still don't really like to sit and eat a big pile of meat however and would rather incorporate a small amount of it into my meals so it's more balanced with veggies and good carbs.



      Summer Supper!


      The finer you grate cabbage, the sweeter it is.
       I used bagged cabbage this time which isn't nearly as sweet.
      Serve with baked sweet potato fries tossed very lightly with corn starch and flour. 





      These sloppy joe's really hit the spot and the husband and kids loved them! The sauce was really the key and they tasted just like the original deal. Just a small amount of lean ground beef added that beef flavor instead of just tasting like beans, which I love but get bored with them sometimes.




      These are really and truly a perfect weeknight meal, so stinking simple!
      recipe adapted from Mark Bittman


      • SERVES  4      TIME   40 MINUTES TOTAL
      • You Will Need:
      • 2 tablespoons olive oil
      • 1/2 cup finely chopped white onion
      • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
      • 1/4 teaspoon salt
      • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
      • 6 ounces lean ground beef or ground sirloin
      • 1/2 cup grated carrot (adds sweetness)
      • 2-3 teaspoons chili powder
      • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
      • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
      • 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
      • 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
      • 1 (15.5-ounce) can low-sodium red beans, rinsed, drained, and divided
      • 4 (2-ounce) whole-wheat sandwich rolls, split and toasted
      • 4 (1/4-inch-thick) red onion slices, separated into rings
      • shredded cabbage to top on sandwich

      • Putting it all together:
      • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, salt, black pepper, and beef to pan; cook 5 minutes or until meat is browned and vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally to crumble beef.
      •  Add carrot, chili powder, sugar, oregano, and red pepper; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in tomatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook 10 minutes or until thickened and carrot is tender, stirring occasionally.
      •  Partially mash 1 cup beans with a fork or potato masher. Add mashed beans and remaining whole beans to pan; cook 1 minute or until thoroughly heated. Spoon 1 cup bean mixture onto bottom half of each roll; top each serving with 1 red onion slice, shredded cabbage and top half of roll.





















      Nutritional Information

      Amount per serving
      • Calories: 405
      • Fat: 14.4g
      • Saturated fat: 3.2g
      • Monounsaturated fat: 7.5g
      • Polyunsaturated fat: 2.3g
      • Protein: 19.4g
      • Carbohydrate: 53.3g
      • Fiber: 10.4g
      • Cholesterol: 28mg
      • Iron: 5.1mg
      • Sodium: 633mg
      • Calcium: 148mg


      Wednesday, February 20, 2013

      Rosemary Grilled Vegetables with Lemon-Honey Tahini Sauce


























      It's raining here in The Valley of the Sun. It's been raining and cold ALL DAY LONG. In fact we have had a  crazy  unusual rainy 'season' all last month. We desert rats don't know how to cope with that here in Phoenix, it's almost as if people are staring up at the sky in disbelief {from inside their stucco homes and under the protection of their clay tiled roofs}  and just waiting for it to fall on their freshly manicured heads.









      Where the heck is that umbrella anyway?.............


      Craziness I tell you. The kids are like caged animals. A day without being able to ride their bikes to the park is a day where mommy needs a glass of wine by 5 p.m. in a bad way.  How the heck do people live in places where this is the norm?

      On a truly positive note, I am giddy with anticipation at all of the wild flowers we will have around here in a month or so. We may not have green leafy trees, we may not have the changing of the seasons and snow covered hills for Christmas but by God we have the most  beautiful  wild flowers here in the desert that will blanket the once dry and desolate Arizona landscape with colors unlike anywhere else on Earth.

      Giddy.


      Another wonderful thing about it being cold and wet outside is being able to enjoy hot soups and roasted vegetables for dinner. Once the temperature hits 90F my oven goes into hibernation until October.






      I was looking for a recipe similar to the lemon, fire grilled veggies that Pita Jungle serves.
      I saw this recipe on Liz's site, The Lemon Bowl and knew I had to have it immediately. Her version seemed more like a side dish to me or a light snack so I added more veggies which I tend to do and some chickpeas which pair well with tahini and for more protein. The first time I made it the tahini sauce was a bit bland and thick for us so I added a drizzle of honey and thinned it out with more water, ended up being about 1:1 parts tahini and water to get it thin enough to 'drizzle'.










       Organic Tahini
      is made of roasted, dried sesame seeds and has a very mild but distinctive flavor.  It is commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine and most famously, in hummus. For such a tiny little seed they pack a huge punch nutritionally speaking. They are packed with good for you nutrients and dietary fiber. Sesame seeds may help prevent colon cancer, supports respitory health,  reduces inflammation such as in PMS, migraines and osteoporosis and helps prevent many other chronic health conditions. 
      In fact,  just 1/4 cup of sesame seeds provide 73% of your dv in copper which is known for reducing the pain and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.
       

      source: Whole Foods







      PREP: 15 MIN      BAKE: 25 MIN     SERVES: 6

      You Will Need:
      • 1 small head cauliflower, cut into florets
      • 1 sweet potato, cut into 1inch cubes
      • 2 large carrots, sliced into 1 inch pieces
      • 2 cups broccoli florets
      • 1 small purple or yellow onion sliced into wedges
      • 2 cups cooked or 1 can of chick peas (garbanzo beans) drained and rinsed
      • 1 head of garlic (yup a whole head)
      • 2 tablespoons + 1/2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
      • 1 teaspoon sea salt
      • 1/2 cup hot water
      • 2 tablespoons Organic, local honey
      • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
      • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
      • 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
      • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
      • freshly ground black pepper
      • Freshly chopped parsley for garnish



      1. Pre-heat oven to 400.
      1. Remove loose skin from garlic. Cut the top 1/4 inch off to expose the cloves a bit. Drizzle with 1/2 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil. 
      1. In a large bowl, toss cauliflower, broccoli, onion, carrots and sweet potato with olive oil, herbs, salt and pepper then spread out in an even layer on a 9 x 13 Inch, Stoneware Baking Pan
        , I use a stone baking pan which I adore. Roast for 20-25 minutes or until browned.
      1. In the bowl of a small food processor, mix together tahini, lemon juice/zest, a few of the roasted garlic cloves and salt. Slowly add in the hot water until desired consistency is reached then drizzle in honey.
      1. When vegetables are done roasting, serve on a platter and drizzle with tahini honey-lemon sauce parsley. Serve warm.



      recipe adapted from The Lemon Bowl





      Throw your veggies, chick peas and herbs into a large bowl, drizzle with lemon juice and zest, a good quality olive oil and toss to coat. Spread evenly onto a 9 x 13 Inch, Stoneware Baking Pan
      and bake. That's it!