Appetizer Vegetarian · Dairy-free · Gluten Free · Vegan · Vegetable sides · Vegetable-related · Whole30 compliant

Roasted butternut squash and red onion with tahini, pine nuts and za’atar

I made this recipe tonight, adapted from Yotam Ottolenghi’s recipe and it’s absolutely wonderful with such interesting flavors. Well worth trying!

Serves 4-6

1 large butternut squash (around 2lbs worth), cut into 1/2″ by 3″ wedges
2 red onions, cut into eighths or 1/2″ wedges
6 tbsp plus 1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3.5 tbsp tahini, or more as needed
3 tbsp water, or more as needed
1.5 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 large clove garlic, minced
2oz raw pine nuts
1 tbsp za’atar
3 tbsp coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

Warm a serving platter.
Position a baking rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine the squash and onion and 6 tablespoons of the olive oil, 1 tbsp  Kosher salt, 6 good twists of the pepper grinder, and toss to combine.
Spread the vegetables out on a large, rimmed baking sheet and roast for about 35-40 minutes, or until the vegetables have taken on some color and are cooked through with a little char. (Keep an eye on the onion: If it starts to burn before the squash is cooked, you may need to remove it before the squash.

Remove from the oven.

While the vegetables are roasting, in a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, water, lemon juice, garlic and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt until the sauce is the consistency of honey. You might need to add more water or tahini, depending on the consistency.

In a small skillet over medium-low heat, heat the remaining 1 teaspoon of oil until shimmering. Add the pine nuts and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and cook, stirring often until the nuts are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a small plate to cool. Keep the oil too

To serve, spread the vegetables out on the warmed serving platter and drizzle with the tahini sauce. Sprinkle the pine nuts and their oil on top, and garnish with the za’atar and parsley. Sprinkle with a little flaky sea salt and serve.

Gluten Free · Holiday Food · Vegetable-related

Leftover Christmas veggie tray-bake with brie, cranberry and pine nuts

Use up your leftover Christmas veg in the best way. Such a simple idea, but stunning and easy for the day after Christmas Day.
Mix up some festive veggies, brie and cranberry sauce then bake in the oven for the ultimate Christmas veggie tray-bake.
Recipe from Delicious Magazine

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Ingredients
21 oz (600g (roughly) leftover roast veg, such as potatoes, carrots and parsnips
1 tbsp olive oil to drizzle
A few leftover woody herbs such as rosemary, thyme and sage, leaves removed
7oz (200g) brie, sliced
3 tbsp leftover cranberry sauce
2 tbsp pine nuts
Pesto to serve (optional)

Heat the oven to 400F/200°C/180°C fan/gas 6.

Put the roast veggies on a roasting tray, drizzle with olive oil, add black pepper and scatter the herbs over (reserve some to garnish), then roast for 15 minutes to heat through and crisp up.

Dot the brie over the roasted vegetables, then return to the oven for 8-10 minutes until melted.

Drizzle with the cranberry sauce, scatter with the pine nuts and the remaining herbs, then serve with pesto, if you like.