vegetable tian

According to Roti n Rice, a tian is "a composite of roasted vegetables sometimes with cheese on top, layered attractively in a shallow dish.  The vegetables are usually sliced into coins and arranged in an alternating manner to form a colorful display".

With summer approaching and eggplants in season, I decided to use the vibrant colors to make a delicious meal.

I originally wanted to use puff pastry to make a flaky crust for the vegetable tian, however, Safeway's The Market, didn't carry it, so I turned to Phu's cauliflower crust as an alternative.  Slicing the beautifully colored vegetables got me all giddy inside.  I was more excited to see the finished product, than to eat it.  That's a first.

This recipe is extremely simple, but be forewarned it can be a little tedious with the slicing, but it's not that bad if you throw in a glass of wine to keep you company. ;)

Vegetable Tian [will need 2 oval baking dishes]

• 1 large eggplant, sliced
• 2 yellow squash, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 5 crushed and chopped garlic gloves
• half a bunch of parsley, chopped
• couple dashes of cayenne
• Phu's cauliflower crust

1. Preheat the over to 450 degrees F.
2. Sprinkle the eggplant with salt and set aside to draw out the water for about 15 minutes.
3. Place the bell peppers on a lightly greased baking pan and roast in the oven for approximately 30 minutes.
4. Spread the crust evenly in the two baking dishes.
5. Heat a pan with a tablespoon of olive oil, and saute the garlic until lightly browned.  Take the pan off the heat and add the chopped parsley into the hot pan so that it just barely wilts, then add a couple dashes of cayenne.
6. Spread this garlic-parsley-cayenne mix evenly at the bottom of each baking dish.
7. When the bell peppers are done, let cool.
8. When the bell peppers are cooled, alternate the sliced vegetables in any pattern you like.  I divided the baking dish into 4 quadrants and used a different direction for each quadrant. *See picture below.
9. Turn the oven down to 350 degrees F and place in the oven for about 30 minutes.  Then turn the oven up to 450 degrees F and finish off in the oven for about 20 minutes, until the crust is lightly browned.
10. Remove from heat and serve warm.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! Happy Summer!

Thanks for stopping by!

<3 roe [a roesy life]