RECIPE: Roasted Vegetables - Asparagus, Carrots and Sweet Potatoes

You've probably seen my version of Roasted Broccoli - If not, give it a try - You'll be glad you did!

ROASTED VEGETABLES - PLAIN AND SIMPLE

INGREDIENTS:
Olive Oil

1 bunch fresh Asparagus
Sea Salt
fresh ground Pepper
Greek seasoning
Parmesan Cheese

6 Carrots
Sea Salt
ground Cinnamon

1 Sweet Potato (I used a white sweet potato)
Sea Salt
fresh ground Pepper (use a dash of Cayenne pepper for an added bite!)
1 tablespoon pure Maple Syrup (or Agave)
1 tablespoon Coconut Oil (or ghee or butter)
2 tablespoons chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Wash vegetables, making sure they are all thoroughly dry before you season them. The seasoning sticks better when they are dry, so it's best to wash it well in advance.
A) I left the asparagus in whole spears.
B) Peel, then cut carrots into bite-sized pieces. (You could use baby carrots instead.)
C) Cut the sweet potato into thin slices.
3. Put about a tablespoon of olive oil in a deep dish baking stone or whatever kind of dish you'd use for roasting. Coating the dish evenly. This time I used a 9X13 dish lined with aluminum foil.

 4. Place vegetables into pan and sprinkle olive oil evenly on top. Sprinkle the asparagus with sea salt and pepper. Toss and repeat. You can do all of this in a plastic bag, but I think it leaves too mush olive oil on the vegetables. Sprinkle the carrots with a dash of sea salt and some cinnamon. Sprinkle the sweet potatoes with sea salt and pepper.

5. Bake in center of the oven for a total of about 30 minutes, depending on your oven. Check at 10 minutes to turn vegetables to expose bottom sides. Roast 10 more minutes, then check again.
6. Melt the coconut oil, add syrup and chopped pecans.
7. At 20 minutes sprinkle asparagus with parmesan cheese, if desired. (We do!) Stir syrup/butter/nut mixture over sweet potatoes, coating them somewhat evenly. It's okay if some gets on the carrots ... =)
8. Continue roasting for another 10 minutes. Some of the vegetables will be golden brown. The glaze with caramelize on the sweet potatoes.

 Makes for a colorful, healthy, nutritious meal!

FOODS: FRESH PRODUCE - What We Eat

I decided to keep a running log of fresh organic produce that I pick up at Trader Joe's, Whole Foods Market, Raley's/Belair, and California Certified Farmers' Markets. My plan is to post links to the recipes I use for each item. Sometimes there will be a use listed that's not a link ... such as used in a salad or eaten raw for a meal or a snack. 

Revised: January 27, 2012

HOW THEY ARE USED:
2 white sweet potatoes: 
3 red sweet potatoes: Sweet Potatoes with Pecans
1 acorn squash: 
baby spinach: Salads
2 broccoli crowns: 
4 tomatoes:   Guacamole
2 avocados:  Guacamole
2 peppers: roasted
cherry tomatoes: Salads
1 cauliflower: Mexican Cauliflower Rice
sliced white mushrooms: Pot Roast with Carrots and Mushrooms
carrots: Pot Roast with Carrots and Mushrooms

Fruit added January 20, 2012

HOW THEY ARE USED:
4 bananas: Pina Colada Smoothie, Fruity Power Smoothie, Tropical Energy Smoothie
1 pineapple: Pina Colada Smoothie, Tropical Energy Smoothie
2 home grown grapefruits: Breakfasts
6 home grown oranges: Breakfasts
2 large fuji apples: Breakfasts
4 small fuji apples: Fruity Power Smoothie, Breakfasts
2 peaches: breakfast, Fruity Power Smoothie

Revised January 21, 2012

 HOW THEY ARE USED:
2 white sweet potatoes: 
2 acorn squash: Acorn Squash with Pecans and Ginger
2 artichokes: Steamed Artichokes
2 red bell peppers: Roasted
4 avocados:  Fruity Power Smoothie, Tropical Energy Smoothie, Guacamole
1 crown broccoli: Roasted Broccoli,
5 tomatoes:  Mexican Cauliflower Rice, Guacamole
2 heirloom tomatoes: Salads
okra: Roasted Okra

January 20, 2012

HOW THEY ARE USED:
2 artichokes: Steamed Artichokes
5 tomatoes: Salads,  Guacamole
white mushrooms: Mediterranean Stuffed Eggplant

January 14, 2012

HOW THEY ARE USED:
3 avocados: Paleo Chocolate Pudding, Bacon Egg Avocado Tomato Sandwich
1 eggplant: Mediterranean Stuffed Eggplant
2 acorn squash: Acorn Squash with Pecans and Ginger
1 butternut squash: Italian Sausage & Butternut Squash Lasagna
1 bag of organic spinach: Frittata, Salads
3 roma tomatoes: Bacon, Egg, Avocado and Tomato Sandwich
1 onion: Italian Sausage & Butternut Squash Lasagna, Frittata
1 red bell pepper: Italian Sausage & Butternut Squash Lasagna, Frittata
5 heirloom tomatoes: Frittata, Salads
1 container of golden grape tomatoes: Salads
2 crowns broccoli: Roasted Broccoli, 
1 pound of okra: Roasted Okra