MaryLee's Healthy Food and Easy Cooking - Vegetable Bake

Hello again,

I have been talking about how I enjoy cooking and how I am so surprised at the number of people who do not cook. They find it takes to much time and effort to do so rather just buy ready made meals or take away or go out for meals.

It is so easy to do just go into any grocery store and you will see so many meals to choice from so it makes it even easier to just pick up your meal and go.

However, if you are like me and wanting to eat healthier and watch your weight then ready made meals may not be the best choice. Fast foods do have a few healthier choices but still they have more fat, salt and sugar than you need. Restaurants will do their best to provide you with a healthier choice but you do have to ask.

Since I like to cook I find it does not take much effort to prepare a great meal. But I understand it can be daunting for someone who does not know where or how to start.

I always say keep it simple, that way you will produce meals you enjoy and they do not tend to turn out to be a disaster.

When cooking a meal you do have to do just a little preparing so you get everything ready at the same time. Try to keep everything you are doing close to each other that way you can keep your eye on each dish.

Here is an easy receipt to follow and a fun meal to make. Vegetable bake.

2 medium potatoes thinly sliced
1 onion thinly sliced
2 carrots thinly sliced
1 medium courgette thinly sliced
2 tbsp (tablespoon) olive oil or light oil
¼ cup of water or stock

½ cup grated parmesan and cheddar cheese (use light cheese when you can)

Once you slice all the ingredients then place in bowl (not the cheese) and using your clean hands toss them with the oil until all are lightly coated.

Layer vegetables in oven proof bowl overlapping each other season each layer with a melody of fresh chopped herbs or dried herbs of your choice, pour over water or stock, cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350 F or 160 C or until tender.

Remove foil and cover with cheese return to oven with foil off and continue to cook until cheese has melted and browned.

Serve by itself or with fresh green salad. I also will put sliced cooked ham in the layers makes a great meal.

Substitute one potato with a sweet potato or use a butternut squash.