Ravioli with Roasted Vegetables

You would think I'm trying to torture my children by making a dish with a lot of vegetables but they liked it. My husband thought we were torturing him though. He did eat the ravioli and some of the chard but nothing else. No eggplant for him. I tried cooking the ravioli by boiling then in a skillet and baking. I think the baking way is easier since I just added the ravioli with the roasted vegetables. The skillet way tends to give a nice crispness but it sticks easier to the pan. I'm going to use the baking method since I like the easier method plus less cleanup after.

Ravioli with roasted vegetables
3 medium zucchini, chopped
1 eggplant, chopped
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp oregano
1 cup swiss chard
1 package frozen ravioli
salt and pepper to taste
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp butter, melted

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Bring a pot of water to boil for the ravioli.  
3. Arrange the zucchini, eggplant, onion, and garlic onto a baking sheet.  
4. Toss the vegetables with the oregano and the olive oil.
5.  Season with salt and pepper.   
6. Roast the vegetables for 15 minutes.
7. Cook the swiss chard and ravioli in the boiling water for 8 minutes.
8. Drain the water from the swiss chard and ravioli.
9. Turn the vegetables.
10.  Add the swiss chard and ravioli to the baking sheet. 
11. Bake the ravioli and vegetable for 15 minutes.
12. Drizzle with the balsamic vinegar and melted butter.
13. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Recipe by Jen of Sweet Morris.

One year ago............................I made Lots of Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Two years ago..........................I made Bangers and Mash.

Did you already know............
-The small and medium zucchini has more flavor than the larger ones.
-Zucchini has more potassium than a banana.
Other names for zucchini are courgette, summer squash, green squash, and Italian squash.

Onion Dip

Since it is football season, we invited several friends over to watch the game. My husband loves chips and dips. He thinks it is a food group.

So, we were at the store purchasing the necessities for our guest like chips, beer, and soda when my husband asked about making an onion dip.  I said it sounded good except for chopping all the onions.On this day, my husband offered to chop up the onions for me. He informed me that he wouldn't cry since he was so tough. I didn't argue with him. If you are going to make this dip, find a tough man to chop the onions.

Tough men

I will not show you any photos of whether or not my husband cried. I will assure you that I didn't cry at all.  It is hard work. I have heard if you wear goggle you will not cry. My husband is too cool to wear goggles. He would rather cry.

Warning: even the tough will cry while making this dish.

I seem to always cry when I chop onions, While I'm crying, I say loudly, "Why me? Why?" Instead of feeling sad for me, the kids find this very amusing.
 

Onion Dip
2 Tbsp olive oil 
2 1/2 cups medium onions, diced
1/2 tsp  salt 
1 1/2 cups sour cream 
1 cup mayonnaise 
1/2 tsp garlic powder 
1/4 tsp ground white pepper 
1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add oil.
2. Add the onions and 1/4 tsp salt in the hot pan.
3. Cook the onions until caramelized, about 18 minutes. Make sure to stir over the onions may burn.
4. Remove from heat and allow the onions to cool.
5. In the serving bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
6. Once the onions cool, add the onions to the sour cream bowl.
7. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
   

Recipe adapted from Alton Brown.

My three tough guys

Did you already know…………

-White pepper and black pepper are from the same berry.

-White pepper is from a fully ripe berry.

-It is milder in taste than black pepper.

-If making a white sauce or dip, use white pepper instead of black so no specks are detected.