Healthy Thanksgiving Recipe- Roasted Veggies

Roasted Root Vegetables with Walnut Pesto

Carrots and parsnips have a slight sweetness that balances the bite of the Brussels sprouts and turnips. Toss the vegetables with fresh-tasting pesto after they roast to brighten both the flavor and color. You can prepare the pesto up to one day ahead and refrigerate it in an airtight container. If making it ahead, let the pesto stand, covered, at room temperature for about 15 minutes before tossing with the vegetable mixture.

Vegetables:

3 cups (1-inch-thick) slices carrot (about 1 pound)
3 cups (1-inch-thick) slices parsnip (about 1 pound)
3 cups (1-inch) cubed peeled turnip
3 cups trimmed halved Brussels sprouts (about 1 pound)
2 shallots, peeled and quartered
1 large onion, cut into 8 wedges
Cooking spray
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Pesto:

2 cups basil leaves
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted
4 teaspoons extravirgin olive oil (I used 2 Tbsp.)
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 garlic clove, peeled

Preheat oven to 425°.

To prepare vegetables, place first 6 ingredients in a single layer on a jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray. Lightly coat vegetable mixture with cooking spray. Sprinkle evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; toss. Bake at 425° for 1 hour or until browned. Transfer vegetable mixture to a large bowl.

To prepare pesto, combine basil leaves and remaining ingredients in a food processor; process until smooth, scraping sides. Spoon basil mixture over vegetable mixture, and toss to coat.

Yield: 10 servings (serving size: 1 cup)

CALORIES 128 (30% from fat); FAT 4.3g (sat 0.8g,mono 1.7g,poly 1.5g); IRON 1.5mg; CHOLESTEROL 2mg; CALCIUM 101mg; CARBOHYDRATE 20.5g; SODIUM 277mg; PROTEIN 4.3g; FIBER 5.1g

Roasted Cauliflower with Fresh Herbs and Parmesan

Use any fresh herbs you have on hand for this holiday recipe. While parsley, tarragon, and thyme make a nice combination, you can also try sage, chives, and rosemary.

Ingredients:

12 cups cauliflower florets (about 2 heads)
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Preheat oven to 450°.

Place cauliflower in a large roasting pan or jelly-roll pan. Drizzle with oil; toss well to coat. Bake at 450° for 20 minutes or until tender and browned, stirring every 5 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley, thyme, tarragon, and garlic. Bake 5 minutes. Combine cauliflower mixture, cheese, and remaining ingredients in a large bowl; toss well to combine.

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: about 1 cup)

CALORIES 89 (35% from fat); FAT 3.5g (sat 0.8g,mono 2.1g,poly 0.4g); IRON 1.1mg; CHOLESTEROL 2mg; CALCIUM 83mg; CARBOHYDRATE 12.1g; SODIUM 251mg; PROTEIN 5.2g; FIBER 5.4g

Courtesy of Cooking Light Magazine!

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Nicole