Teczcape-An Escape to Food

Eggplant, Zucchini, Tomato Vegetable Tian

Tian.

Does saying it in French makes it more sophisticated? Simply, it is traditional oven-roasted vegetables layers in an earthenware.

Here, a not-so-traditional approach has been adopted for the vegetable tian; or more accurately, it should not be even called a tian since I did not use any earthenware. Instead, a roasting tray with parchment paper is used so that there is no tray or dish to wash after cooking: fuss-free, mess-free. Call it vegetables tian catered to the (lazy) home-cooks.

The only similar action done to mimic the vegetable tian is to prepare and slice the vegetables pretty and layer them pretty. Tian and ratatouille might share similarities in their origin being Provencal French, and both being centered around vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, onions; but tian is a layered roast while ratatouille is a diced-up stew.

Kabocha Squash Pumpkin Mushroom Rice

With its bright orange flesh, kabocha squash is an excellent source of beta-carotene that can be converted to vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is important for healthy white blood cells, good immunity and for vibrant, healthy eyes, skin and hair. To boost fiber content, you can cook them with their edible green skins. I bought a whole kabocha squash (Japanese pumpkin) with a plan to cook Pumpkin Rice 南瓜饭.

This Pumpkin Rice a pumped-up version of this Garlic Pumpkin Rice and fits a one-pot one-dish meal perfectly.

Pumpkin Squash Veggie Salad Bowls

If there is any fancy pumpkin squash to try this pumpkin season, let it be the Delicata. It is also a budget-friendly produce item to add to your autumn/fall grocery list.

Thinned-skin, Delicata Squash is also much easier to handle and slice, and cooks relatively quickly (compared to the other bigger thicker-skin pumpkins), in about 20 minutes roasting time.

Steamed Kale, Yellow and Purple Cauliflower, Cooked Beets, Roasted Squash, Shredded Chicken

During autumn/fall season, this pumpkin squash has become the fiber-boosting, nutrient-dense "carb" in place of sweet potatoes or potatoes or corn on the cob in these healthy and nutritious salad grain bowls.