Pecan & Vegetable Bake Recipe 🥦🧀
Introduction:
Indulge in the flavors of wholesome vegetables and crunchy pecans with our delightful Pecan & Vegetable Bake recipe! This dish is a symphony of colors and textures, marrying the earthiness of vegetables with the richness of cheese and the nuttiness of pecans. Perfect for gatherings or weeknight dinners, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite!
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 36 minutes
- Total Time: 51 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: Cheese
Ingredients:
- 2 carrots
- 2 zucchinis
- 1 onion
- 1 broccoli floret
- 1 cauliflower floret
- 1/4 white cabbage
- 2 tablespoons polyunsaturated margarine
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/2 cup skim milk
- 1 cup edam cheese, grated
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- Freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup pecans
- Breadcrumbs
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 90.4
- Fat Content: 3.6g
- Saturated Fat Content: 0.4g
- Cholesterol Content: 0.4mg
- Sodium Content: 46.8mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 12.9g
- Fiber Content: 3.1g
- Sugar Content: 4.5g
- Protein Content: 3.8g
Instructions:
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Blanch Vegetables:
- Begin by blanching the carrots, zucchinis, onion, broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower in boiling water for approximately 3 minutes. This step helps to partially cook the vegetables and enhance their color and texture.
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Prepare the Dish:
- Drain the blanched vegetables, making sure to reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid. Arrange the vegetables evenly in an ovenproof dish, ensuring a colorful and appealing presentation.
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Prepare the Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, melt the polyunsaturated margarine over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, allowing the flour to combine and cook slightly.
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Create the Creamy Sauce:
- Gradually pour in the skim milk and the reserved cooking liquid, stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Allow the sauce to thicken to a creamy consistency, ensuring it coats the back of a spoon.
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Season and Pour:
- Season the sauce with freshly ground pepper to taste, adding a delightful kick of flavor. Once seasoned, pour the creamy sauce evenly over the arranged vegetables in the ovenproof dish, ensuring they are well-coated and bathed in creamy goodness.
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Add the Cheese:
- Sprinkle the grated edam cheese generously over the top of the vegetables and sauce, ensuring each bite is infused with cheesy goodness. The cheese adds richness and depth to the dish, enhancing its overall flavor profile.
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Top with Crunchy Goodness:
- Sprinkle breadcrumbs generously over the cheese layer, providing a delightful contrast of textures between the creamy sauce and the crunchy topping. Then, scatter the pecans over the breadcrumbs, adding a nutty crunch to every bite.
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Bake to Perfection:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the Pecan & Vegetable Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the pecans are toasted to golden perfection.
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Serve and Enjoy:
- Once baked to perfection, remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired, and serve this delectable Pecan & Vegetable Bake hot, straight from the oven, to eager family and friends.
Tips for Success:
- Feel free to customize the vegetable selection based on personal preferences or seasonal availability.
- For a richer sauce, you can substitute whole milk or cream for skim milk.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties to suit your taste preferences, such as cheddar, gouda, or mozzarella.
- To add an extra layer of flavor, consider incorporating herbs and spices into the creamy sauce, such as thyme, rosemary, or garlic powder.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat in the oven or microwave for a quick and satisfying meal.
Embrace the wholesome goodness of vegetables and the irresistible crunch of pecans with our mouthwatering Pecan & Vegetable Bake recipe. Bursting with flavor and nutrients, this dish is sure to delight taste buds and bring joy to the dinner table!