Saturday, October 24, 2009

Vegetables Can Make You Happy

Here's a hearty one-dish meal that's a nice change from the ordinary. Pasta drenched in a balsamic vinaigrette and a lovely roasted veggie mélange. It's also a perfect dish for the eggplant, especially if some family members aren't sure they like it.

Roasted Veggie Penne

Whisk together:
.25 c. olive oil
1 pkg. onion soup mix
1-2 T. thyme

Add chopped (fresh) veggies and mix well:
3 carrots
1-2 zucchini
1 eggplant
8 oz. mushrooms

Spread veggies on a parchment lined baking sheet and roast at 450 degrees for 20-25 minutes, stirring after 15 minutes.

While veggies are roasting, boil and set aside:
8 oz. penne pasta

Mix veggies with pasta.

Whisk together:
.25 c. olive oil (a tad less would be fine)
.25 c. balsamic vinegar

Toss dressing over pasta and veggies. Sprinkle with pine nuts and Parmesan cheese if you have it.

**You could beef up this veggie dish with some crumbled bacon or sausage if your menfolk are grumbling!