Even when you don't have time or don’t feel like cooking, a plate of vegetables is a satisfying and easy option. While they're roasting in the oven, it will give you extra time to finalize the rest of the meal.
You don't need a recipe to bake vegetables successfully, but the following tips are sure to come in handy!
1. Cook vegetables of uniform texture and size together
Firmer root vegetables take a longer time to cook. Mushrooms and eggplants, which contain a good deal of water, also need prolonged cooking to concentrate their aromas and give them a melt-in-the-mouth texture. On the flip side, beans and asparagus need just a few minutes in a hot oven to reach the ideal tenderness.
2. Coat vegetables with oil, season with salt and pepper, and mix evenly in a bowl—then place on the baking sheet
To avoid dirtying dishes, it's tempting to spray the vegetables that spread out on the bottom of your baking sheet with oil, but this leads to uneven cooking. It's worth doing this step properly and ensuring that the entire surface of your vegetables is coated with a thin, even layer.
3. A good virgin oil enhances vegetables like a condiment
Oven baking is an excellent opportunity to cook with virgin oils, as their indirect heat is mitigated by the starting temperature of the vegetables you're baking. This is an opportunity to move away from neutral oils and explore other types beyond the classic olive oil.
Here are a few aromatic combinations to explore:
- With unrefined organic canola oil: Beans, asparagus, parsnips and corn
- With unrefined organic sunflower oil: Beets, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts
- With unrefined sesame oil: Potatoes, kale, eggplant
4. Use a metal baking sheet
Metal baking sheets are the best way to cook vegetables efficiently in the oven, as they hold and distribute the heat well. If you want to protect your baking sheet and make cleaning easier, use aluminum foil rather than parchment paper for the lining, as you'll get better heat conduction and, consequently, more delicious caramelization of your vegetables.
Place your baking sheet on a rack in the top 1/3 of your oven, and you're ready for Tip #6!
5. Don't be afraid to heat your oven properly
As a general rule, 375 degrees Fahrenheit is suitable for denser vegetables and 425 degrees Fahrenheit for tender ones. Be sure to heat your oven before placing your vegetables in the oven, and don't hesitate to open the door occasionally to let off steam, which minimizes caramelization.
6. For the finishing touch, don't forget to broil
Many vegetables benefit from more pronounced roasting or well-controlled charring, which can give them an amazing BBQ taste. Sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower are all excellent candidates.
Once your vegetables have reached the desired tenderness, simply expose them to the broiler's heat for 2 to 3 minutes to finish them off.
With all these tips, there's no excuse! It’s time to eat your veggies!