Introducing a delectable dish that’s both a feast for the eyes and the palate: Vegetable Tiella! This recipe, sourced from lovewithrecipes.com, promises a symphony of flavors and textures, perfect for those seeking a vibrant, satisfying meal. With a cook time of just 1 hour and 30 minutes, and a prep time of 30 minutes, this culinary masterpiece can be ready in just over 2 hours, ensuring a timely creation for your dining pleasure.
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Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 zucchini
- 1 1/2 russet potatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 3 1/2 cups tomato sauce
- 1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
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Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Lightly oil a deep 2½- to 3-quart baking dish and set it aside, ready for the flavorful layers to come.
- Combine 1/3 cup olive oil and minced garlic in a small bowl, infusing the oil with aromatic garlic goodness. Set this flavorful oil aside for later use.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil, preparing to blanch the spinach and unleash its vibrant color and taste. Also, prepare a bowl of ice water to quickly cool the blanched spinach.
- Plunge the spinach into the boiling water for about 15 seconds, then drain and transfer it to the ice bath to halt the cooking process.
- Once cool, drain the blanched spinach again and give it a gentle squeeze to remove excess water, ensuring it’s ready to impart its vibrant green hue to the tiella.
- Coarsely chop the blanched spinach and transfer it to a bowl, ready to join the flavorful layers.
- Prepare the zucchini by trimming the ends and cutting them in half lengthwise, then again crosswise, creating perfect slices for layering.
- Place the zucchini slices in a separate bowl, ready to add their freshness and crunch to the tiella.
- Peel the russet potatoes and cut them in the same manner as the zucchini, ensuring uniformity in the layers.
- Season the prepared vegetables with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper, adding a burst of flavor to every bite.
- Toss the seasoned vegetables with some of the garlic-infused olive oil, ensuring they’re lightly coated and ready to impart their savory essence to the tiella.
- Reserve the remaining garlic oil for later use, as it will be drizzled atop the tiella to enhance its aroma and taste.
- Layer half of the potatoes in the prepared baking dish, ensuring they form a solid base for the ensuing layers.
- Spread ½ cup of tomato sauce over the potatoes, creating a saucy foundation for the tiella’s flavors to meld.
- Sprinkle 1½ tablespoons of chopped basil and 2 tablespoons each of grated Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs over the tomato sauce, adding layers of texture and taste.
- Repeat the layering process twice, alternating between potatoes, zucchini, and spinach, and adding tomato sauce, basil, Parmesan cheese, and bread crumbs between each layer, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
- Top the final layer with the remaining potatoes, tomato sauce, and basil, ensuring every bite is bursting with freshness and flavor.
- Drizzle the reserved garlic-infused olive oil over the top of the tiella, adding a final touch of aromatic indulgence.
- Cover the baking dish and bake the tiella in the preheated oven until tender and bubbling, approximately 1¼ hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the layers to harmonize into a culinary symphony.
- Sprinkle the tiella with the remaining Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs, adding a final flourish of texture and taste.
- Continue baking the tiella, uncovered, until the top begins to brown, approximately 15 minutes longer, ensuring a perfectly golden crust atop the savory layers below.
- Remove the vegetable tiella from the oven and let it cool to room temperature, allowing the flavors to settle and deepen, enhancing the overall experience.
- Note: The tiella may be served hot, warm, or at room temperature, providing versatility in serving options to suit your preferences.
- For reheating, simply place the tiella in a low oven until warmed through, ensuring each bite retains its deliciousness.
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With its colorful layers of fresh vegetables, savory tomato sauce, and aromatic herbs, this Vegetable Tiella is sure to become a favorite in your culinary repertoire. Whether served as a hearty main dish or as a delightful side, it’s a celebration of seasonal produce and bold flavors, guaranteed to impress family and friends alike. Enjoy the experience of crafting and savoring this delectable tiella, and let its deliciousness transport you to the sunny shores of Italy with every bite!
