Harvest Vegetable Ragout Food

ROASTED HARVEST VEGETABLES IN A BAKED PUMPKIN

Steps:

• Cut off the top of the pumpkin in such a way that it gives you a"top.
• "Scoop out the seeds of the pumpkin and save them for toasting, or discard them.
• Clean out the inside of the pumpkin and rub with olive oil.
• Sprinkle with a bit of salt and add about 1/2 cup of water.
• Place the pumpkin in a 325 degree oven and bake for about 30 minutes until slightly softened on the inside.
• Remove from the oven and set aside.
• Peel and cut the root vegetables in large pieces all about the same size.
• Place them in a zipper type plastic bag with about 1/3 cup of olive oil.
• Close the bag and shake to coat the vegetables well.
• Pour the vegetables in a large roasting pan.
• Add the cut onions, shallots, minced garlic, and herbs.
• Stir with a large spoon.
• Sprinkle with the kosher or sea salt and some black pepper.
• Place the pan, uncovered, in a 425 degree oven.
• Roast for about 20 minutes, shaking the pan two or three times.
• Turn the pan and reduce the heat to 375 degrees and bake for another 20 minutes, shaking or stirring to keep the vegetables from burning.
• Continue baking until all veggies are soft, about 10-20 minutes more.
• Remove the vegetables to the warm pumpkin and cover with the top.
• Serve, adding small pieces of the softened pumpkin if you like.
• Remember to remove the bay leaves before eating.
• VARIATIONS: Add some roasted red or green peppers.
• Add a bit of cayenne pepper for a"hot" taste.

HARVEST VEGETABLE RAGOUT

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a Dutch oven over medium high heat.
• Combine squash and next 5 ingredients (squash through garlic) and sauté for 8 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring frequently.
• Add bay leaves and thyme sprigs, and stir in tomato paste.
• Stir in flour and wine, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 5 minutes.
• Stir in the broth and chickpeas. Cover and simmer 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
• Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, and chopped parsley. Discard bay leaves and thyme.
• Heat 2 teaspoons oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced mushrooms, and cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Serve ragout over mushrooms. Garnish with additional thyme sprigs, if desired.

ROASTED VEGETABLE RAGOUT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 475 degrees.
• In a heavy roasting pan, combine the vegetablesand olive oil and toss to coat. Roast 20 to 30 minutes, turning every 10 minutes, until the vegetables are nicely browned.
• Meanwhile, tie the herbs together with kitchen string. Transfer the pan to the top of the stove. Add the wine, stock, tomatoes, and herbs and cook over high heat for 15 minutes. Stir in the Swiss chard and cook 2 minutes more.
• Season with salt and pepper. To serve, spoon the vegetables and sauce over the polenta.

SEA SCALLOPS WITH VEGETABLE RAGOûT

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons butter with oil in heavy large pot over medium-low heat. Add onion and sauté until beginning to soften, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and sauté about 30 seconds. Increase heat to medium-high; add asparagus tips, sugar snap peas and thyme sprigs and sauté 2 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add vegetable broth and lemon juice, then lettuce and peas. Cover and cook until lettuce is wilted, stirring frequently, about 2 minutes. Whisk 1 tablespoon butter into ragout. Remove from heat.
• Sprinkle scallops with salt and pepper. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add scallops to skillet and sear until brown and just opaque in center, about 2 minutes per side. Divide ragout among 4 bowls. Top with scallops, dividing equally. Garnish each with 1 lemon wedge.

BASIC VEGETABLE RAGOUT

Steps:

• In a large hot saucepan heat oil. Add onion, 1/3 of garlic, red pepper flakes, thyme and saute until onions and garlic are fragrant. Stir in zucchini, 1/3 garlic and tarragon, partially cover pan and cook for approximately 3 minutes or until zucchini has begun to soften. Stir in plum tomatoes with juice, 1/3 garlic and basil, partially cover pan and cook for 7 minutes or until vegetables are crisp tender. Serve over rice. Top with Parmesan.