In need of a simple, savory side dish with robust flavor??? Bake up these Simply Roasted Cauliflower and Rainbow Carrots in no time, all while adding elegance to your main dish.
I may have lost my mind. And…well…if I haven’t already, it’s a sure bet that by the end of Christmas day, my mind will be nowhere to be found. Never to be seen again.
Let’s briefly discuss, or remind you of, my OCD. I appreciate EVERYTHING in it’s place. Is that really too much to ask???
After finding a pair of Braelyn’s shoes in literally every room of the house from the living room, to the laundry room, to the front room, to our bedroom…I sternly requested that she go through each room in the house and pick up her stinking shoes and put them in her closet. What gets me is that I make similar requests every. single. DAY!!!
Why does nobody catch on???
Oh, and while I am talking about simple requests, how about my family members learn these wishes of mine as well:
- Clear your dishes from the counter and table.
- Put your clothes away.
- Make your bed as soon as you wake up.
- Place your homework in your backpack.
- Empty your lunchboxes.
- Pick up the millipedes that YOU see and throw them outside or in the trash!!! (easy, right???! Haha!)
- Keep the toys organized.
- Don’t leave your trash in the car.
- Chew with your mouth closed, elbows off the table, and feet down.
- Shut the fridge door!!!!
- Hands off my phone, or at least ask before touching.
- Listen the FIRST time I ask!
See, it’s quite a simple list to follow. Just obey these orders and both your life and mine will be perfect.
Okay, okay. I actually completely admit that I am crazy. My kids probably feel like they are living in a boot camp around here. But, I do the best I can to have balance between control and chaos. It’s just really, really, REALLY hard to give up the control part.
But, you would be extremely proud of me. Back to losing my mind by Christmas day, I went out on a limb and invited FIVE families to join us for Christmas dinner in our home.
Okay, now that I typed that out and read it a few times I’m starting to think of ways that I can recant all invitations and sit quietly in my own little perfect, cozy bubble I call home.
Just kidding!!!
I’m actually really excited to have so many friends (more like family) join us on such a special occasion as celebrating our Savior’s birth. What better way to spend the evening than with a large group of people you love.
However, I am still fueling with anxiety concerning the potential disastrous aftermath of 10 adults, 15 children, and a smorgasbord of food in my house all at the same time. Heaven help me. Literally, I’m praying here.
I sent out a group text to everyone today about menu plans and what food items people can contribute. I specifically asked for someone to bring a “warm veggie side”. What does that even mean???! I don’t know, I guess I just didn’t want a bunch of salads and veggie trays for our “vegetables”, so I got a little more specific.
Now I didn’t request a particular veggie to be made. I’m not that controlling. But, I sure wouldn’t be opposed if something like these Simply Roasted Cauliflower and Rainbow Carrots showed up on Christmas day. No opposition at all.
I made these veggies a few weeks ago…maybe months…and forgot to post them. See, when something is too simple you just flat out forget about it. It’s the stuff that takes effort that you remember so vividly.
However, as simple as this recipe is, the taste is not soon forgotten.
Something about roasting veggies makes me all happy inside. It brings out so much natural and robust flavor from each vegetable. You can then eat these veggies as is, or use them as a base or add-ins for soups, sauces, and salads.
Roasted veggies have my heart.
These roasted veggies are no exception. Emry didn’t know how much she loved “white broccoli” until she tried cauliflower roasted. Now every time she passes it in the store she points and squeals with delight, “Hey! I love those veggi-bulls!!!”
All it takes to transform these roasted veggies into a tasty side dish is some olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. So, so, SOOOO simple.
And clean up is as equally easy; spoon the veggies into a serving bowl and wash out the pan. No fuss.
Now if only the clean up of my house after the holidays were that simple…
What warm veggie side dishes do you serve on the holidays?
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into slightly larger than bite size chunks
- 1 lb. rainbow carrots, peeled and cut into ¾" chunks if large carrots (I bought a bag of baby rainbow carrots so I didn't have to cut at all)
- 1 medium sized zucchini, cut into half and chopped ½" thick
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1½ teaspoons salt, plus more to preferred taste
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- juice of 1 lemon (optional)
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a large pan with cooking spray.
- Cut cauliflower and carrots (if needed) and arrange in baking pan. Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil over veggies. Sprinkle 1½ teaspoons salt , ½ teaspoon pepper, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder over top. Toss with hands and place in oven for 15 minutes.
- While cauliflower and carrots are cooking, slice zucchini, and lightly season with additional shakes of salt and pepper.
- After the 15 minutes, remove cooking veggies from oven and add zucchini. Toss veggies. Add additional olive oil if veggies look dry. Stir again and return to oven for additional 15 minutes or until veggies are crisp tender. Immediately squeeze lemon juice over top and toss to coat veggies.
- Serve veggies warm with meal.
