Wonderful Winter Vegetable Casserole Recipes

WONDERFUL WINTER VEGETABLE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Wash and peel the carrots, potatoes, parsnips and rutabaga.
• Cut all the veggies on a diagonal into thin slices.
• I start this in a large Teflon pan with tight fitting cover, on the stove top to get some caramelization on the veggies and to bring out the flavors (about 15 minutes on med-high heat).
• Then I transfer into a corning ware square casserole dish and cover and cook in the oven (about 20 minutes or until tender and crumbs are browned).
• In a large pan heat oil and 1 tablespoon butter and sauté garlic for one minute.
• Layer the veggies; potatoes, carrots, turnips, rutabaga and onions into pan.
• Sprinkle with salt, pepper, sugar and orange juice and toss to distribute all the flavors.
• Cook covered over med-high heat (this steams them as browning is taking place).
• When bottom layer is just getting color, remove cover and begin to move the next layers up, cover again and keep rotating the vegetables until all have a chance to caramelize a bit.
• Remove from heat and toss with parsley and thyme and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
• Spoon vegetables gently into a buttered casserole dish.
• Cover with seasoned breadcrumbs and melted tablespoon of butter.
• Place casserole into a 350 degree oven- covered for 10 minutes; remove cover and let crumbs brown- 10 minutes.
• We like our vegetables with a little bite; not very soft.
• Pass a long fork into the casserole to test done-ness and this will determine the length of cooking time for you.

ROOT VEGETABLES CASSEROLE FOR WINTER

Steps:

• Place chopped vegs in 2 cups water in saucepan & boil; simmer until tender (cooking time will vary depending on which vegs you use--check for tenderness at about 12 minutes); drain.
• While that's bubbling, saute onions in butter; set aside.
• Preheat oven to 375; grease a 1-quart casserole baking dish; set aside.
• To veggies, add nutmeg and S & P; then mash or beat until consistency you appreciate--you should have small lumps--unless you like it glue-y!
• Add sauteed onions, crumbs and eggies; mix in lightly.
• Spoon into prepped pan; bake uncovered for 35 minutes; sprinkle with cheese, bake additional 5-10 minutes (browned & knife comes out clean).