When I use the oven, I always put each dish on the middle rack. Only when space is limited do I tend to use the bottom rack. I think it is safe to assume that most of us use both racks when cooking in the oven. But clearly there is a built-in oven feature we should be using, we just don’t know it yet.
This tip is found in Caroline Carreno’s book, The Bowl of Plenty. She learned this trick from “a chef friend who worked in a restaurant with a super-powerful oven and started cooking at home. It’s perfect for browning vegetables and keeps them from getting soggy inside.
“The floor of the oven provides the hottest, most even direct heat, so the vegetables don’t overcook and caramelize nicely.” She recommends roasting vegetables on two trays, one on the oven floor and one on the center rack at 500°F, for about 20 minutes, changing the position of the trays along the way. This will result in perfectly roasted vegetables that are both tender and crispy.
Before trying this method, read your oven manual or contact the manufacturer to see if your oven has a heavy bottom tray. If you cannot place the tray directly on the bottom of the oven (due to the heating elements there), place the rack as close to the bottom of the oven as possible. I am definitely going to try this technique at our next family dinner.
Add spice and flavor to roasted vegetables.
A little bit of oil and salt is all it takes to roast vegetables deliciously and successfully, but adding a few optional things can make roasted vegetables even more special. Here are some of my favorite spices and flavors to add to roasted vegetables.
Before roasting.
- Chili powder for a smoky, slightly spicy flavor.
- Curry powder (garam masala) or curry powder for an Indian twist
- Dill
- Cinnamon (especially for sweet potatoes).
- Red pepper or cayenne (optional).
After baking.
- Parmesan cheese
- Feta cheese
- Chopped fresh herbs
- Squeeze of lemon
- Rancho or blue cheese dip
How to Eat Roasted Vegetables
While you may enjoy roasted vegetables most of the time, there are many other wonderful ways to incorporate them. Here are some of the ways we enjoy roasted vegetables in our home
As part of a salad
Adding roasted vegetables to green salads, grain salads, and pasta salads adds wonderful flavor.
Add to egg dishes
Mix leftover roasted vegetables into your next scrambled eggs, incorporate them into an omelette, or add them to an omelette.
Use as a table topper
If your family enjoys cooking bean bowls, tacos, or other dishes, roasted vegetables are a great option. They are an especially great way to use up leftover roasted vegetables from a previous dinner.
Add them to burritos or chimichangas.
This may be my favorite way to use leftover roasted vegetables. I roll them into breakfast and dinner burritos and chimichangas every chance I get. My kids don’t complain and I’m happy to get extra veggies without having to think about it.
