🍂 Autumn Vegetable Salad with Frico 🥗
Autumn Vegetable Salad with Frico is a delightful dish that celebrates the flavors of the fall season. It combines a colorful assortment of roasted or grilled autumn vegetables with a crispy frico, which is an Italian cheese crisp. Here’s a detailed response filled with information and steps to prepare this delicious salad.
📜 History:
The history of this dish is relatively modern, as frico itself dates back to the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy. Frico is a traditional Italian snack made from shredded or grated cheese, usually Montasio or Parmesan, that’s melted and crisped up into a lacy, wafer-thin disc. As for the salad, it’s a contemporary take on the classic Caprese salad, with a seasonal twist to embrace the harvest bounty of autumn.
🥦 Components:
The components of Autumn Vegetable Salad with Frico typically include:
- Assorted autumn vegetables like butternut squash, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and carrots.
- Olive oil, salt, and pepper for roasting the vegetables.
- Mixed greens or arugula for the salad base.
- Fresh basil leaves for a burst of flavor.
- Cherry tomatoes for a pop of color and freshness.
- Balsamic vinaigrette for dressing.
- Frico (crispy cheese) to add a crunchy and savory element.
📝 Steps to Prepare:
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Prep the Vegetables: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the butternut squash, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and carrots into bite-sized pieces. Toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them on a baking sheet and roast for about 25-30 minutes or until they’re tender and slightly caramelized.
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Make Frico: While the vegetables are roasting, prepare the frico. Grate your choice of cheese, usually Montasio or Parmesan, and heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle the grated cheese evenly into the skillet and let it melt and crisp up, creating a thin, crispy cheese disc. Once it’s golden brown, remove it from the heat and let it cool.
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Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine your mixed greens or arugula. Add the roasted vegetables, cherry tomatoes, and torn basil leaves. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette and toss gently to combine.
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Serve: Break the cooled frico into pieces and place them on top of the salad for a crunchy, cheesy garnish.
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Enjoy: Serve your Autumn Vegetable Salad with Frico immediately, and savor the flavors of autumn.
⏰ Time Needed:
- Preparing and roasting vegetables: 35-40 minutes
- Making frico: 10-15 minutes
- Assembling the salad: 5-10 minutes
- Total time: Approximately 50-65 minutes
This autumn-inspired salad is not only visually appealing but also a delicious blend of flavors and textures, making it a perfect addition to your fall menu. Enjoy! 🍁🧀🥗
Certainly! Here are the nutrition facts and some health information for the Autumn Vegetable Salad with Frico:
Nutrition Facts (Approximate values per serving):
- Calories: 250-300
- Total Fat: 10-15 grams
- Saturated Fat: 3-5 grams
- Cholesterol: 10-20 milligrams
- Sodium: 300-400 milligrams
- Total Carbohydrates: 30-40 grams
- Dietary Fiber: 5-7 grams
- Sugars: 5-7 grams
- Protein: 10-15 grams
- Vitamin A: 100-150% of Daily Value (DV)
- Vitamin C: 50-60% of DV
- Calcium: 15-20% of DV
- Iron: 10-15% of DV
Health Information:
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Rich in Vitamins and Minerals: This salad is a great source of essential vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin A and vitamin C from the colorful array of autumn vegetables. Vitamin A is vital for maintaining healthy vision and a strong immune system, while vitamin C acts as an antioxidant that supports your immune system and helps with skin health.
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Fiber Content: The vegetables in this salad are high in dietary fiber, which is beneficial for digestive health. Fiber can help you feel full, aid in weight management, and promote regular bowel movements.
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Moderate in Calories: With around 250-300 calories per serving, this salad can be a satisfying and nutritious meal option for those looking to manage their calorie intake.
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Protein: The salad provides a moderate amount of protein, which is essential for muscle maintenance and overall body function.
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Heart-Healthy: The salad is relatively low in saturated fat, making it heart-healthy. The use of olive oil for roasting and vinaigrette provides healthy fats, which can be beneficial for heart health.
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Low Added Sugars: The sugar content primarily comes from the natural sugars found in the vegetables and any added sugars in the dressing. It’s relatively low in added sugars, which is good for overall health.
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Calcium: The cheese frico contributes to the calcium content, which is essential for strong bones and teeth.
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Customizable: You can adjust the portion sizes and ingredients to meet your specific dietary needs or preferences. For example, if you’re looking to reduce calories or fat, you can use less cheese or dressing.
Remember that these values can vary based on the specific ingredients and portion sizes you use. It’s always a good idea to check labels and calculate exact nutrition facts if you have specific dietary concerns or goals. Enjoy your Autumn Vegetable Salad with Frico as a nutritious and delicious addition to your autumn menu! 🥗🍂