The Best Baked Veggies

How many times has the phrase, "Eat your vegetables," been uttered at your house?  With these 3 yummy baked veggie recipes, we have a feeling they'll be asking for seconds.

Meatless Monday is all about highlighting yummy meatless recipes, whether it be a one pot supper or several dishes.  Today, we're bringing baked vegetable recipes, that are sure to be a hit.  As baking offers a more nutritious route than frying, many vegetables actually release more disease fighting benefits when they are cooked.  Check out Health.com and HuffingtonPost.CA for some raw vs cooked produce information.  In the meantime, let's get cooking!

Baked Veggie Fries are a great way to make eating your vegetables fun.  Mix up the assortment for an even more nutritious side dish.  A yummy dipping sauce adds another fun twist on this healthier version of fries.

courtesy of Pottery Barn Kids via Design Mom

Crispy oven roasted potatoes can be eaten as a side for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  Let the Baking Begin has perfected a simple recipe that requires a little extra cook time to get the right amount of crispness.  If you don't have the full hour they recommend, skip the soaking step after you wash and cut the potatoes.

This next dish will have you scrapping the bowl for sure.  The Gluten Free Goddess (who even gives substitutes if you don't need the dietary restrictions she does) offers a crispy, crunchy top to a savory Zucchini Gratin middle, that is to die for.  The smell from the oven alone will have you drooling.

These savory sides are sure to fill your family's bellies with nutritious and delicious goodness.  Happy Monday!

Meatless Monday: A Little Side Action

Side dishes can take any meal from blah to a-ha!  Today we've got some great recipes that can go with many different dishes and are anything but boring.

For starters, you've a quickie night and need something fast...whatever it is you're making, why not pair it with some good old fashioned onion rings?  But these aren't the usual greasy, fried onion rings, these are Crispy Baked Onion Rings from Closet Cooking.  Check out his recipe and some of the other great veggie sides he's done with a twist!

Feeling something a little lighter, maybe a nice spring side dish?  Then this Marinated Zucchini Salad is the perfect compliment for your meal.  This would also be great for a side to a picnic at the the park as it can be served chilled or at room temperature.  Check it out at  Tarteletteblog.com

This next side requires a little more cooking time in the oven, but it's a prepare and forget kind of dish.  Rosemary Polenta Fries from EA Stewart.  Simply cut the polenta into fry size, place on a baking sheet and pop in the oven.  For extra crispy fries-try turning them as they bake. 

We'll end today with a vibrant dish that is surely going to liven up your palette.  If you want to be totally meatless-sub the chicken broth for veggie stock.  Otherwise, this Cauliflower and Couscous Pilaf from Eating Well is easy, fresh, and a great side to try any day of the week.