A few weeks ago I was watching Food Network Canada and Michael Smith, a retired chef and food personality was dishing up some great food.
He featured a Parmesan Baked Zucchini and Tomatoes and the simplicity and sheer beauty of the dish caught my eye.
In the first photo, I followed his recipe closely and my only major substitution was to split cherry tomatoes in half (there were no decent plum tomatoes around).
In the last photo, I added slices of Japanese eggplant, now I have a re-telling of a ratatouille.
What you get is this what I call an army of baked vegetables. For some reason, the tray of veggies reminds me of the Xian Terra-Cotta Army in China.
Folks, this is a super-easy side dish for dinner. The hardest parts of this dish are seeking out vegetables that are roughly the same size and them lining them up side-by-side.
I've haven't been excited about vegetables for a long time...it's beautiful, it's easy, it's delicious. Serve the Baked Army of Vegetables to your guests. Present the whole baking tray to the table....wait for the Ooooooh's and Ahhhhhhh's!
Army of Baked Vegetables
6 ripe plum tomatoes, sliced
2 zucchini, sliced
2 Japanese eggplants,
5 onions, sliced
olive oil
1 cup of grated Parmesan
salt and pepper to taste
2 tsp. Italian herb mix
bread crumbs for
Pre-heated 375F oven
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and pour in oil. When it's hot, add onions and salt and pepper. Sauté until the onions are softened and beginning to caramelize. Pour into the bottom of a 14" by 12" baking dish.
- Begin layering tomato slices along the left side of the pan to form an overlapping row. Overlap zucchini slices along edge of tomato row, and then the eggplant and repeat alternating tomatoes and zucchinis and eggplant, adjusting as necessary until the pan is filled.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper, a good drizzle of olive oil, mixed Italian dry herbs, grated Parmesan and and a sprinkle of bread crumbs.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until top is golden and juices are bubbling.
46 comments:
Peter...vegies never looked better!
Nice, Peter! Healthy, beautiful and no doubt delicious.
Hi Peter, I agree with your terracotta army comparison - just like little soldiers all lined up. These veges look great - what a terrific idea.
OMG that is sooooo my dinner tonight!
Hi Peter! Indeed they look great. An as the summer is creeping in slowly they will look even better. I love zucchini in all it's versions and this is a great idea for the weekend.
So much goodness in one dish. The flavors must have been fantastic. Did you feed a crowd, or was it just you binging ......
This looks gorgeous! And healthy too ;)
Love the comparison with the terracotta army - very cultural!
Well, you knew I would love this.
It's pretty and delicious :)
This would be wonderful any time of the year Peter. Your veggies dishes are always a feast for the eyes as well...your ratatouille sticks out in my mind:D
Pete, simple enough too, eh?
Elly, remarkably delish!
Cake, I saw a doc. on BBC about the terra cotta army and they came to mind when I made this dish.
Judy, the whole family will luv it.
Despoina, just need some good tomatoes and the dish is magic.
Ben, too easy!
Nina, I fed others too.
Kittie, this is a great dish for those not keen on veggies.
Maryann, did you bookmark this? lol
Val, you have a great memory. I wish you were closer to come for din-din.
Your imagination cracks me up. Who else would see that comparison in their crazy mind!? Ok, maybe me. This is really beautiful. As I have a second to poke around all my fave food blogs, I'm noticing alot of spring-like dishes. It's making me super happy b/c I can NOT WAIT till this winter is over. This looks so beautiful and healthy. I need to start making some spring/summer dishes now! I'll turn up the heat, stick on my bathing suit, throw some Brazilian music on and start cooking.
Another nice one, Peter!
Amy @ http://www.weareneverfull.com
Peter, that is an army I'd love to face. ;)
Good night Agnes! I'm making this, stat! I've been to China and saw the army...amazing. But nothing like this to eat...just chicken feet soup! Good analogy, Peter!
very impressive, my good man! if that were served in my presence, i doubt there'd be time to "ooh" and "aah" before i began to stuff my face with it...
Wow, that is just gorgeous. I'll give your recipe a try when summer and local produce appear in Wisconsin sometime in the next six months! Those veggies will go great with fish or chicken on the grill -- and maybe some couscous on the side? Yum! Leah
Gorgeous! Those vegetables are simply stunning. My mom makes something very similar, except she cooks all the vegetables first and bakes it like a casserole. Your "army" looks much fresher and prettier.
Oooooh, Aaaaah!!! Your not kidding!
I love this!
Sounds simple and looks great! That's a very nice way to present the veggies.
Lovely! Such a beautiful presentation. I'm crazy about all of these vegetables, especially eggplant.
Amy, perhaps it's because I saw the doc. around the same time as the food show but hey...they are similar aren't they?
Pat, the army was conquered by hungry Greeks.
Catherine, you're funny (good nite Agnes)...I now want to see the terra-cotta army.
Grace, perhaps just and oh & ah?
Leah, welcome and all your suggestions sit well with me.
Sticky, don't tell mom but you're right! lol
Marie, I knew I get an Ooooh and Ahhhh from ya!
Mike, KISS principle firmly in place here.
Emi, eggplant rocks..more to come.
This is indeed a great creation of colourful healthy veggies Peter. I would be so happy to be served a veggie dish as good as this anytime - so bookmarked!!
Great title for a post! :) yummy vegies
LOVE that closeup photo! Perfectly beautiful veggies :)
The juxtaposition is very interesting. Nice post.
Not only is it pleasant to look at, but I bet those veggies were DEEELICIOUS!!! I love the name too!
I see what you mean about the army of vegetables! Wouldn't it be amazing to see that terraccota army?
Gorgeous, Peter. This looks incredibly tasty.
Roasting vegetables is my favorite way to have them. They do look good all lined up like soldiers like that.
That's an army I'd like to get acquainted with. ;)
That is a stunning looking dish. I must refrain from checking in on your cooking activities on a rather empty stomach.
Rosie, glad you're back and well.
Pixie, how are ya bagel eyes?
Lori, it took me a few shots to get it right.
Simona, you noticed these in another dish first.
Sam, try out since you're still fasting.
Holler, the army would be breathtaking.
Laurie, they could become a favourite side.
Kevin, roasting brings out the best in veggies.
Susan...behave! lol
Lisa, you shouln't be eating so late in the first place, tsk-tsk!
What a beautiful side dish!
That dish looks wonderful! I can't wait for the summer to be there, so that I can cook that kind of gorgeous food!
Cheers,
Rosa
this dish looks superb - goes with everything!
Hi hi i love the title. And the vegie bake
Terra Cotta Army...that is more uncanny a connection than you realize, sir.
That is the most stunning and tempting-looking veg dish I've seen for some time.
What a beautiful presentation!I will be copying that one day at my table.
Mmmhhhh, that looks delicious. I might just have to give it a go on Sunday to go with my lamb. If I do I'll be sure to post a picture and a link on my blog, if you don't mind.
I love the comparison with the Xian warriors! Looks delicious . . . I just can't wait until I can walk out into the garden and pick veggies for this dish!
The next time I entertain, I am going to make this and bring the entire dish to the table as is when baked. I know, I'll get a wow response :) Thanks for the idea.
Kalyn, I knew you would like this dish.
Rosa, good to see you visiting here again!
Maria, the Greeks over there would enjoy this.
Happy, the connection (name) came immediately to my mind.
Heather, I do wanna see the real Xian soldiers and such.
Antonia...c'mon...let's hear and "oooh' and "ahhhh"!
Imma, please share the dish with us when you make it.
Glam, it's a winner...no doubt.
Lia, this dish will rock with garden-fresh veggies.
Cynthia, more importantly, it tastes fab!
Yum. now I know what I will be cooking tomorrow
Beautiful simil, Peter!
Mmmm...that looks temptingly amazing Peter!
this looks awesome! How much oil do you use for this? Kickass blog by the way! I am so addicted.
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