Winter Garden Paleo Bake (Printable)
Wholesome winter vegetables and savory herbs combine for a hearty, nourishing main course.
# List of ingredients:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
02 - 2 cups Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
03 - 1 large parsnip, peeled and diced
04 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
05 - 1 small red onion, sliced
06 - 2 cups kale, stems removed and chopped
→ Protein
07 - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces (optional)
→ Fats & Oils
08 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
09 - 1 tablespoon coconut oil, for greasing
→ Spices & Aromatics
10 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
14 - 1 teaspoon sea salt
15 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a large (9x13 inch) baking dish with coconut oil.
02 - In a large bowl, mix butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, parsnip, carrots, red onion, and kale.
03 - Add chicken pieces to the vegetable mixture if using.
04 - Drizzle olive oil over ingredients. Add minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, black pepper, sea salt, and smoked paprika. Toss until evenly coated.
05 - Spread mixture evenly in prepared baking dish. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring once midway, until vegetables are tender and golden, and chicken is fully cooked.
06 - Serve the bake hot, optionally garnished with fresh herbs.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It uses up whatever winter vegetables you have lying around, so nothing goes to waste and every batch tastes a little different.
- The whole thing comes together in one dish, which means less cleanup and more time to relax while it bakes.
- It fills your kitchen with the smell of roasted garlic and rosemary, the kind of scent that makes everyone wander in asking whats for dinner.
02 -
- Cutting the vegetables into similar-sized pieces is the only way to make sure everything finishes cooking at the same time, I learned this after ending up with mushy carrots and raw squash more than once.
- Don't skip the halfway stir, the bottom layer can scorch while the top stays pale, and flipping everything gives you even browning and flavor.
03 -
- Use a large enough baking dish so the vegetables can spread out in a single layer, crowding them will steam them instead of roasting and you'll lose that caramelized edge.
- Taste your vegetables before you toss them with the seasonings, sometimes winter squash can be sweeter or blander depending on the batch, and you can adjust your salt and spices accordingly.