Vegetable Tian Recipe
This veggie-packed recipe is my go-to for a cozy and satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug in every bite. It’s simple yet sophisticated, and the Parmesan-crusted top gives it that irresistible comfort-food vibe that I can’t get enough of!
I love preparing meals that are as colorful and healthy as this Vegetable Tian. Within its layered structure of thinly sliced zucchini, yellow squash, and potato, this dish manages to be both vibrant and nutritious.
Really, though, it’s not just the tian that’s colorful. In the same way that olive oil, garlic, and thyme result in an amazing aroma, tian isn’t an amazing dish unless it has aroma.
And in the same way that aroma doesn’t show without some nice cheese, Parmesan provides color, aroma, and amazing flavor that really take this dish to the next level.
Ingredients
Olive oil: Fat that is heart-healthy, boosts flavors, and helps absorb nutrients.
Sweetness and depth are provided by the yellow onion.
Antioxidants are abundant in this onion, and it serves to boost immune health.
Garlic: Abundant in allicin, presents a flavor profile along with immune system-enhancing and anti-inflammatory attributes.
Zucchini has low calories, is high in water, and supplies fairly substantial amounts of fiber and vitamin C.
Potato: Carbohydrates found here supply energy, while the potassium content is high.
Lycopene-laden tomato adds a note of acidity and gives a heart-health boost.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
- 1 medium yellow squash, thinly sliced
- 1 medium potato, thinly sliced
- 1 medium tomato, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) to warm it up.
2. In a saute pan, warm the olive oil over a medium flame. Toss in the sliced onion and gently stir, cooking until softened and translucent.
3. The skillet requires minced garlic, which must be added and then sautéed for a further minute until it is fragrant.
4. Evenly distribute the mixture of onions and garlic over the bottom of a baking dish.
5. Onion mixture sitting two layers deep inside the 8-inch pan. On top of that sits a layer of alternating zucchini, yellow squash, potato, and tomato. The pan is not quite to the top, but it’s close. The layers inside are so impressive that it’s hard to believe this dish is similar to a casserole.
6. Sprinkle the vegetables with salt, black pepper, and dried thyme.
7. Secure the baking dish beneath aluminum foil. Place it in the oven, preheated to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and set the timer for 30 minutes.
8. Take off the foil and even out the Parmesan cheese over the vegetables.
9. Put the dish back in the oven and bake without a cover for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese has just enough gold to make it seem a little crusty, and the vegetables are soft, as they should be.
10. If you wish, you can add fresh basil leaves right before serving your Vegetable Tian to make it look even more appetizing. And if you really want an explosion of flavor, you could do what my wife Claire does and drizzle a little tahini sauce on each portion.
Equipment Needed
1. Oven
2. Saute pan
3. Medium flame heat source
4. Skillet
5. 8-inch baking dish
6. Aluminum foil
7. Knife
8. Cutting board
9. Measuring spoons
10. Grater
11. Spatula or wooden spoon
12. Timer
FAQ
- Can I use different vegetables?Of course! You can mix in or swap out vegetables such as bell peppers, eggplant, or sweet potatoes based on your taste preferences.
- What can I use instead of Parmesan cheese?Pecorino Romano, Asiago, or even nutritional yeast can be used as substitutes for cheese in a dairy-free diet.
- How do I ensure my vegetables cook evenly?Cut your vegetables to a standard thickness of around 1/8 inch, which guarantees that they will have a consistent cooking time.
- Can this dish be made in advance? Yes, you can prepare the vegetables ahead and assemble the dish to be baked just before serving. It’s best eaten fresh, but leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Is there a way to make this dish vegan?To make it vegan, omit the Parmesan cheese or replace it with a vegan cheese alternative or nutritional yeast.
- Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried thyme?Certainly, you can use fresh thyme; just double the amount, as fresh herbs are less concentrated than dried ones.
- What can I serve with Vegetable Tian?It goes beautifully with a full array of grilled items—meats, fish, or even just a simple green salad can constitute a complete meal alongside this dish.
Substitutions and Variations
Here is an avocados oil and coconut oil substitute. For a different flavor profile, substitute with avocado oil or coconut oil.
Yellow Onion: For a milder flavor, substitute red onion or shallots.
Zucchini: Swap in eggplant or bell peppers for varied flavor and texture.
Yellow Squash: Substitute with additional zucchini or incorporate extra tomatoes to enhance the taste and achieve a flavor profile that more closely resembles that of yellow squash.
Substitute sweet potato or turnip for a sweeter or earthier taste: “Potato.”
Pro Tips
1. Uniform Slicing: To ensure even cooking, try to slice all the vegetables to a similar thickness. Using a mandoline can help achieve precise and consistent slices.
2. Soaking Potatoes: Soak the sliced potatoes in cold water for 10-15 minutes to remove excess starch. This prevents them from becoming gummy and helps them cook evenly.
3. Herb Infusion: Enhance the flavor by infusing the olive oil with herbs before sautéing the onions. Add a sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary to the oil, then remove it before adding the onions.
4. Cheese Variations: For extra flavor, consider adding a mix of cheeses such as Gruyere or mozzarella along with the Parmesan for a richer, creamier topping.
5. Resting Time: Allow the dish to rest for a few minutes after baking. This lets the flavors meld together and makes slicing and serving the tian easier.
Vegetable Tian Recipe
My favorite Vegetable Tian Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Oven
2. Saute pan
3. Medium flame heat source
4. Skillet
5. 8-inch baking dish
6. Aluminum foil
7. Knife
8. Cutting board
9. Measuring spoons
10. Grater
11. Spatula or wooden spoon
12. Timer
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
- 1 medium yellow squash, thinly sliced
- 1 medium potato, thinly sliced
- 1 medium tomato, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) to warm it up.
2. In a saute pan, warm the olive oil over a medium flame. Toss in the sliced onion and gently stir, cooking until softened and translucent.
3. The skillet requires minced garlic, which must be added and then sautéed for a further minute until it is fragrant.
4. Evenly distribute the mixture of onions and garlic over the bottom of a baking dish.
5. Onion mixture sitting two layers deep inside the 8-inch pan. On top of that sits a layer of alternating zucchini, yellow squash, potato, and tomato. The pan is not quite to the top, but it’s close. The layers inside are so impressive that it’s hard to believe this dish is similar to a casserole.
6. Sprinkle the vegetables with salt, black pepper, and dried thyme.
7. Secure the baking dish beneath aluminum foil. Place it in the oven, preheated to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and set the timer for 30 minutes.
8. Take off the foil and even out the Parmesan cheese over the vegetables.
9. Put the dish back in the oven and bake without a cover for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese has just enough gold to make it seem a little crusty, and the vegetables are soft, as they should be.
10. If you wish, you can add fresh basil leaves right before serving your Vegetable Tian to make it look even more appetizing. And if you really want an explosion of flavor, you could do what my wife Claire does and drizzle a little tahini sauce on each portion.