A House Divided

Sunday, April 1, 2012


This vegetable dish is one of my favourite new recipes.  I would like to say I can guarantee you’ll love it.  I would like to tell you that serving it will put an end to world strife, global warming, and questions about what you’ll serve for the next meal.

I’d like to, but I can’t.

This recipe has been a source of great division in our house.  Two of us adored it.  And what’s not to love?  As a side dish, it’s a nice accompaniment to whatever is being served.  But as a sandwich filling, it is nonpareil.  Serve it on homemade bread, with hummus and bean sprouts, and it’s unlikely that you’ll ever look for another sandwich filling in your life.  It’s also a wonderful way to use up the odds and ends of vegetables in the fridge.

The other two people in my house – one of whom was the other adult – did not care for these vegetables.  Did not even try them, to the best of my memory.  When I asked them (for the purposes of this blog) what they didn’t like about it, I was greeted with shrugs and retching noises.

So what can I say?  Having failed to achieve unanimity in my own house, I can hardly promise that you’ll achieve it in yours.  But I can promise that you’ll secretly cheer any time one of them rejects it, because that means one more herbed vegetable sandwich for you.

Herbed Vegetable Packets

1 cup diced peeled sweet potatoes
1 cup diced bell peppers
2 cups zucchini
1 1/2 cups mushrooms
1 1/2 cups carrots
1 cup diced onions
2 Tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
2 Tbsp copped fresh basil
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
4 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1 tsp salt
8 sheets parchment paper, 12 x 15 inches each

(I used the vegetables I had in my fridge, in the measurements above.  You can use other vegetables, such as diced butternut squash or green beans/asparagus cut into 1 inch lengths. You can also use other proportions of these vegetables.  Just be sure you have 8 cups altogether.)

1. In a large bowl, mix together the vegetables and herbs.  In a small cup or bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt.  Pour over the vegetables and herbs and mix well.

2.  To make the packets, fold a sheet of parchment paper in half to form a 12 x 7 ½ inch rectangle.  With a short side of the rectangle nearest you, place a cup of the vegetables in the centre.  Bring the two short sides up like a tent, fold them together, and roll down to the vegetables.  Then fold over and crimp the open sides to form a neat packet to seal in the vegetables.  Place the packet on an unoiled baking sheet.  Repeat with the remaining sheets of parchment paper.

3. Bake for 25 minutes in a preheated 375 oven.  Remove a packet and carefully unfold it to test the tenderness of the vegetables.  If the vegetables are not quite done, bake for an additional 5 minutes.


40 comments:

From the Kitchen said...

I think you're right--the fewer diners who like this, the more for those who do!! I enjoy cooking from the Moosewood books and had the pleasure of dining at their original (and only as far as I know) restaurant in Ithica, NY a few years ago. It was exactly as I had imagined it to be.

Best,
Bonnie

Angie's Recipes said...

This is for sure the mixed veggies I love! And it's even flavoured with tarragon! Love it!

Valerie Gamine said...

Ah yes, I know the shrugs and retching responses all too well. Taste is in the mouth of the devourer. I think your vegetable packets look light and delicious!

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

LOL, I can totally relate to this kind of family division...my hubby and daughter being the worst offenders! Glad to know it just doesn't happen in my kitchen :)

Belinda said...

Sounds like a battle for the ages....

Cindy said...

This would certainly get two thumbs up at our home. It looks delicious.

Bonnie said...

Ooh-h-h. I love vegie sandwiches is every shape and form. Yummy! I might add some avocado. I eat these out all the time, but never think of having one at home. That will change. Thanks, Bonnie

Golden Eagle said...

I love vegetables, so to me, this sounds good!

Vi said...

I think I would like this, I love peppers. I've only recently discovered cooking in parchment and it makes everything so moist and delicious. I love cooking fish this way, and these vegetables would go perfectly!

Angela said...

We have a rule in my house, "You can't say you don't like it if you haven't tried it." So, I say that vote was null and you can just advertise this dish as generally loved.

Anonymous said...

I can tell you right now that I would like this and my husband would not. This sounds like it would be fantastic with hummus on a sandwich - fabulous idea!

Carol said...

I think that everyone in my family would love this. I am sure I would, looks delicious. Especially with hummus!

Vicki Bensinger said...

I have a lot of cookbooks but not the Moosehead one. I"ve seen and looked through the first one that was printed and loved the recipes. Not sure why I never purchased it. This recipe sounds wonderful and as a lover of veggies I'm sure this would be another one added to our menu.

Thanks for sharing it.

Justine L said...

I *love* vegetable sandwiches. Retching? Over these?!

Neesie said...

I'm always on the lookout for 'veggie' dishes and this ticks all the boxes.
Thanks for sharing Beth ;D

Elaine said...

The colors are beautiful and it looks healthy. More often than not, my sandwiches have meat on them, but this sounds like a perfect veggie one to try.

Stina said...

LOL on the retching sounds. I'm guessing that wasn't the other adult.

Not sure why they wouldn't like them. The second one looks especially yummy!

Barbara said...

I don't know about the retching noises, Beth, :) but it sure looks yummy to me! Love cooking things in parchment paper...not only fun to unwrap, but the flavors are usually intensified.

Kitchen Riffs said...

What an interesting recipe! I'm usually pretty good at imagining how a dish will taste when I read the recipe; but I'm having a hard time imagining this one. But it's all ingredients that I love, so I'll probably give this a try. Might be interesting to try this with Indian spices - some cumin, coriander, and cayenne pepper. Anyway, very different - thanks!

Jeanne said...

Sounds excellent to me! I've always wanted to try the packet roasting method, it sounds like fun and I bet it really adds to the flavor.

Maggie said...

I am so confused about why this was met with utter distaste by half of your household. It looks AMAZING!! I am totally on your side on this one. Great recipe and stick to your guns on this one...its a winner.

Mary said...

You know what? I have seen very few Moosewood recipes lately that didn't appeal to me. I think my tastebuds are changing and it might be time to buy my own copy of their cookbooks.

Your family is missing out. This looks delicious!

Yummy said...

I'd be in the camp that loves this veggie dish!

Joanne said...

You can't please everyone but I love ALL of these veggies so much that I have to believe that I'd adore them combined in this way!

Mary Bergfeld said...

I am on your side with this one. Your packets are visually stunning and can't help but be delicious. I love the Moosewood cookbooks and their recipes rarely disappoint me. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

Katerina said...

I love baking in packets of parchment paper and I think that this dish would be a favorite of mine just like it was for you!

Cucina49 said...

I think it looks delicious--and healthy--and I buy that it would be great with hummus on a sandwich!

nancy at good food matters said...

happily, there would be no division in my household--both Bill and I would love those veggie packets on a sandwich or as a main dish.
Lemon, garlic, and tarragon---fabulous.

lisa is cooking said...

I know which camp I'd be in, and I'd love to try that sandwich! Sounds delicious and healthy.

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

My daughter and I are nuts over most veggies. Tonight we had spaghetti squash with spaghetti sauce on it and a bibb salad. The other grown up in our house was not here...so I didn't have to add a meat dish to the meal. :)

Miriam said...

I'm on YOUR side, those veggies are awesome!! Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters

grace said...

it always amazes me how strongly people can feel about certain foods, whether for or against. i like this, save for the mushrooms (retch) and tarragon (shrug). pretty pictures!

Anonymous said...

It looks delicious.

When I don't like a sandwich, I take certain vegetables out. I usually take the onion out. In other dishes I avoid the zucchini. It makes a world of a difference to not eat the vegetables I don't like.

Anonymous said...

What is not to love about a roasted vegetable sandwich? Half of my house would definitely feign illness to avoid eating one, but I wouldn't mind a bit. As you said...more for me!

Rita said...

I am most impressed with this recipe Beth; I know I would Love it as vegetables are important in my way if eating. Saving this one for sure; love cooking in parchment paper.
Rita

Simply Life said...

ha, I think this looks great! there are definitely nights in our house where I can't stop raving about a meal and my husband is a bit less thrilled about it :)

Claudia said...

Yes, I would eat this. As would everyone in my family. As a matter of fact - we will eat this.

sally said...

I agree--what’s not to love about these veggies?

Ruth said...

It looks delish! But as a sandwich filling? Ummm... I don't think so. :)

Beth said...

You might be surprised, Ruth! I loved these sandwiches.

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