Being ill sucks. I’ve been full of aches and pains, lethargic and knackered for about three days. And the weather outside is all blue sky and sunshine. Bah humbug!
Times like this require ameliorative grub, soothing soft and easy to eat and – crucially – to prepare. This is where fresh veg and an oven come in.
Roasted vegetables are one of the easiest foods to prepare and the results can be spectacular. Roasting seems to deepen the colour and add some sort of vivacity to otherwise simple roots, bulbs, tubers and other tasty types of vegetables.
It also brings out the essential character of the veg. Carrots and peppers become sweeter, aubergine soft and silky, onions pleasantly pungent and so on.
But what really makes the roast is the bits and pieces you add: herbs, garlic, a good oil. This is what defines the character of the dish. You can add lemon, thyme and bay leaves to give it an aromatic Mediterranean feel, or coriander, lime and chilli for a bit of Mexican zing.
Last night, I went for something of a latin-levantine hybrid, mostly because it matched what I had lying around. Into my carrots, tomatoes, red pepper, aubergine and onions I sliced two chorizo sausages and three cloves of garlic, then scattered over a couple of tablespoons of za’atar and a pinch of dried chilli.
The nutty, herby and tangy spice mix combined beautifully with heady garlic aromas and the kick of the chilli to pull all the sweet-silky vegetables together into an enlivening whole. Not sure how curative it was, but I’m back at work today…
Recipe
Heat oven to 200oC. Chop vegetables into bite sized chunks and put in a roasting tray. If you’re using aubergine toss in oil first (I use 2 tblsp of rape seed or olive oil per aubergine). Add chunks of chorizo, glug over some decent olive oil, scatter over za’atar and a pinch of chilli. Roast for 40 minutes. Simples.
I bought some za’atar cos of you. I did.
@Meemalee – and have you used it yet – hmmm?
so sorry to hear youre feeling poorly…hope you feel better soon. roasted veg w coriander, chilli and lime sounds so delish- love those flavours. but that za’atar- it goes w *everything*. am just about to pop into kitchen and have it now-pita bread, yoghurt, olive oil, za’atar. get better soon. x shayma
@Shayma – aw thanks! I am – it’s taken a lot of tea though. I love roasting vegetables, it’s just so easy and results gratifyingly tasty. You are so right about za’atar too – it goes with everything. Everything! Amazing stuff.
za’atar is full of awesome. have you tried dukkah? Dip some bread into olive oil, then dip into dukkah. lovely.
@Mary-Rose – i haven’t yet, it’s next on the list, mainly for when i can get to Green Valley again.
@Su-Lin – thanks! I am feeling a bit better today – and those vitamins surely helped. That and the endorphins released while eating them
Poor sicky, eat some berries too, then you’ll really be red.
During my singleton days, I think I lived on roasted veg and it still remains one of my faves. Broccoli works really well if roasted so it goes slightly crispy on the florets – soaks up all the lovely oil and juices and is perfect to save til last, spike with a fork and wipe the plate with
Feel better soon – berries are a good idea. I’m now picking a large bowlful of strawberries a day AND I made elderflower cordial for the first time which is summer in a glass.
@Sasa – thanks! Better red than blue!
@Thursday – Ooo, i’ve never really tried with broccoli after one bad experience where I char grilled it. I must give it another go. Your berry picking and flower cordialing sounds lovely. I an envious!
You could’ve sought solace in the lunchtime and afternoon games in the World Cup. Semi-seriously though, this is an ideal football dish, slam in the oven 5 minutes into the first half and at half time, roast veg for all.
@Mr Noodles – only if I found football at all interesting… I was born without that particular gene. AS for a football dish – I agree, but is it manly enough
Chorizo & chilli tip it over into the realms of acceptability !
That’s no fun – you poor thing. Hope you’re on the mend
@Mr Noodles – ah the old macho heat thing…
@gastrogeek – it wasn’t. but am totally on the mend now which is good. Thanks!