Summer Vegetable Tian with Caramelized Onions

*Book Update*  I finished “Before Happiness” by Shawn Achor and find it even better than his first book, “The Happiness Advantage.”  The problem with a lot of these college studies is their sample source:  young college students.  Most of us aren’t young college students and most of us were not privileged to attend Harvard, Yale or Columbia.  Nevertheless, the book is a fountain of great information, some funny side notes and practical use into the family and professional life.

I am almost finished with “Million Dollar Arm” which is a fun and fast read.  I don’t really care about sports all that much, but this book is so fun to read that the subject doesn’t matter.  The gripping story about two young men brought back from India to the United States to learn to play baseball professionally is just crazy – people prepare all their lives for this event and these two boys are so dedicated that they make it to the minor leagues!

  (Amazon photo)   (Amazon photo)

*FREE FOOD and FREE SNACKS*  “Graze” has been advertising a bit on my Facebook feed, but I finally received a coupon to try a whole box of snacks absolutely FREE.    Now here is the link so you get your first box free as well.  It is like Netflix starting out – you just cancel before getting charged if you don’t want anymore- but still get to try out their stuff.  I love natural and I love free!  🙂  You get a free box “coupon” in your account, and then order your box.  It didn’t charge me for it and due to arrive in a couple weeks.  I can’t wait!

Here is the link for free food!  http://www.graze.com/us/p/MARYEL9CF

**Recipe **  “Tian de Courgettes aux Tomates”  This recipe is from France and called a Summer Vegetable Tian.  I have seen it called a gratin elsewhere.  Most produce boxes this time of year are going to be FULL of zucchini and tomatoes.  The summer vegetable tian uses many of them and rightfully so.  I made half a batch and should have made the entire 9×13 because it went so fast.  The kids… well, they weren’t thrilled, but they tried it.  Personally, I think it was worth it because it was so delicious and highly recommend it.   Not quite the looker in presentation – it makes up for it in taste.

Everything tastes better with Caramelized onions on it anyway!

What I’ve been eating like almost every day:  Whole Wheat Waffles with natural maple sugar free syrup every morning substituting applesauce for oil and white whole wheat flour for the AP flour.  We eat these at least 4 times a month!  Trying mainly at dinner time and work from there.

Update on family favorite Chocolate Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins:  using applesauce for oil, white whole wheat flour for AP flour and no brown sugar, each muffin is 158 calories each!  That might be good or bad for you…. I dunno.

Recipe without Plugin:

Summer Vegetable Tian with Caramelized Onions

1/4 cup olive oil (might not use it all up… that’s okay)
3 medium yellow onions, halved and sliced 1/4″
2 garlic cloves, mince or press
1 lb. zucchini, 1/4″ thick
1 lb. yellow squash, 1/4″ thick (or use same amount of zucchini)
1 lb. plum tomatoes, 1/4″ thick
1 tsp. minced fresh thyme or 1/4. tsp. dried thyme
black pepper
2 oz. Greyere cheese or Parmesan cheese, shredded (1/2 cup)

Spray 9×13″ baking dish with cooking spray.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In large nonstick skillet, add 2 Tb oil.  Heat over medium heat.  Add onions.
Cook with 1/2 tsp. salt for 12-15 minutes.
Add garlic.  Cook 30 seconds.
Take onions and garlic and pour into prepped 9×13 pan.
Shingle the zucchini, squash and tomatoes in one layer.
Sprinkle 1 Tb. oil and thyme.  Add salt and pepper.
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and sprinkle with cheese.  Bake 20-30 minutes.

Recipe from America’s Test Kitchen

Next post I am working on…