'A NEW TASTE TWIST ON FALL'S ROOT VEGETABLES'

 

Root vegetables have gotten a bad rap. They look like mush, they taste like it, and you end up being voted most unpopular cook, when all you were doing was trying to get them to eat their veggies. Don't give up just yet, but do give up on those worn out recipes that please no one.

 

Here are some recipes that may change your mind about serving those most unpopular root vegetables.

 

Brussels sprouts with pine nuts and mushrooms

1 lb Brussels sprouts

1/2c pine nuts or sunflower seeds

4 Shiitake (soaked) or button mushrooms thinly sliced

1 tsp. Thyme

1/2 tsp. Ginger

1/2 tsp. Sea salt

1/2 c water

Steam Brussels sprouts until tender. Cook mushrooms, nuts, and seasonings in water until mushrooms are tender. Turn the entire recipe into a small fry pan and sautŽ with 2 Tablespoons of olive oil.  Salt and pepper to taste.

 

Ginger Carrots

4 carrots sliced diagonally, or the same amount of baby carrots

1 ts. Grated ginger

1 tsp. Sesame oil

SautŽ carrots 3 minutes in oil, add ginger and salt. Cover and cook 30 minutes on low heat, or until tender. You may thicken the mixture with one tsp. of arrow root or tapioca powder. If a sweeter taste is desired use one tablespoon of honey.

 

Caramelized sweet potato rounds

4-6 small sweet potatoes or yams

3-4 Tbs. Maple syrup

2 Tbs. Butter

Slice off the ends of the potatoes and take out any bad spots. Slice with skins on in one inch thick pieces. Boil or microwave until tender. Heat a heavy skillet with butter. When hot pour in maple syrup and add potatoes. Allow the mixture to caramelize on the potatoes. Serve while hot.

 

Sour cream and mashed sweet potatoes

4-6 Sweet potatoes

3 Tbs. Sour cream

2 Tbs. Butter

Fresh nutmeg for grating

Peel, quarter and boil sweet potatoes until tender. Mash adding sour cream, butter and grate in a dash on freshly grated nutmeg. Serve as is or brown under the broiler until top becomes crispy.

 

These recipes are not the lowest in calories per serving with the exception of the Brussels sprouts, but   they end up per serving with fewer calories since they don't need to be slathered with butter. Hope you enjoy! Till next time, Rebecca.