Wednesday 12 August 2015

LOW FAT VEGETABLE BAKE

LOW FAT VEGETABLE BAKE


Normally people think that teaching is a very easy job because teachers get lots of holidays and their working hours are less compared to other civil servants, etc. They have no idea how tough the teaching job is inside the classroom itself, when dealing with different student characters and personalities, we have to treat them with love and care, and it is not easy to explain the subject matter and discipline them, till they are satisfied and understand the concept. Apart from the classroom work we have to do a lot of work outside the classroom, which takes extra time and is more effort-demanding like preparing lessons, lesson plans, marking scripts, homework planning, involvement in co-curricular activities, staff and departmental meetings etc., the list is endless!


When I was working, one day, I had a long day in school. After teaching in the morning from 7 am to 1 pm, there was a staff meeting which started at 2 pm and finished around 6.30 pm. In those long meetings when we teachers were checking time, again and again, I remember, my Headmaster (principal) reminded us jokingly by saying “Teachers!! Remember, you are 24 hours government servants, I suppose you will be marking homework when you get home!!”, and we used to reply “Oh no!”.


When I reached home after 6.30 I had neither the energy nor any mood to cook anything. Unwillingly I opened the fridge and was disappointed to see that there is no leftover food in the fridge. To my big surprise I found lots of fresh vegetables in the fridge, then I realized, maybe my husband brought them while coming back from work. That is when this recipe rescued me, in this vegetable bake, just cut and mix-match any vegetables and put it in the oven and one pot meal can be ready in around 45 minutes.


This is also a wholesome meal as it is loaded with vegetables; there is some protein in the form of cream cheese and grated cheese. Carbohydrate is there in potatoes. So here you go less labor and a tasty full meal is ready.


This is another good example of low-fat cooking. Instead of making the white sauce (roux) with butter, as is usually done in an au-gratin, I have used low fat cream cheese as a substitute and it tastes very good. I’ve replaced a carb-fat with a protein, always a better substitute.


I have used very little grated cheese on top only for garnishing so that it looks good and it still tastes good.

RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

  • 400 grams boiled and sliced potatoes
  • 200 grams cauliflower florets
  • 200 grams green beans cut lengthwise
  • 200 corn kernels ( fresh or frozen)
  • 200 grams onion sliced
  • 400 grams tomatoes sliced
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tbs mustard seeds (ground)
  • 150 grams low fat cream cheese + 4 tbs milk
  • 150 grams low-fat mozzarella/cheddar grated cheese
  • 1 tbs dried parsley
  • 2 tbs oil

METHOD

  • Heat oil in a frying pan, add mustard seeds, fry onion till golden brown, add beans and corn with salt, leave it to cook for 5-8 minutes.
  • Heat oven to 180 degrees C.
  • Mix cream cheese and milk thoroughly.
  • In an oven tray layer the potatoes, sprinkle some salt.
  • Now layer the vegetables, pour cream cheese mixture.
  • Layer with tomatoes, sprinkle black pepper and salt and put it in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes.
  • Sprinkle grated cheese and parsley and cook for another 5-8 minute.
  • Serve hot with some salad of your choice.

56 comments:

  1. I totally agree with you as my mother is a retired teacher and my maternal grandfather was an educationist with a school of his own . It's one of the most dedicated professions where every act of yours should be responsible as it leads to building the precious future of a child. I bow to you and to all teachers as my life to a considerable extent has been moulded by them. The dish is supremely delicious, cheesy and yummy. Loved the post.

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    1. Hi Piyali, thank you so much for such a lovely comment and for appreciating teachers so much. Good to know your mother was also a teacher.

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  2. What a brilliant way of serving a meal... veggies all disguised in cheese and cream cheese. Yummy. I too am a retired teacher. I taught children between 3-6 and it was tough. Not only did we have to teach them but also deal with their different moods. My day started at 4.30 a.m. and ended around 10 -11p.m. as at that time my kids too were young. Looking back I wonder how I did it all. However, I miss teaching, but not the getting up early part! I still take a keen interest in education by organizing different educational programs for my Lions Club.

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    1. Thanks Mayuri for your lovely comment, glad to know you are also a retired teacher. I agree with you that I am also missing teaching but not getting up early in the morning.

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  3. I appreciate teacher work! It is hard work trying to control children! I cant never do it myself!
    Love your vegetable bake! They look so appealing and colourful! Thank you for sharing it us #pintorials


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  4. Sadhna, I am not a vegetarian, but I love veggies and this looks delish!!! I have never thought of layering them like this and adding cream cheese. The tomatoes on top with the bit of shredded cheese looks incredible! Thanks so much for sharing, I'm pinning this so I can make it later. #WAYWOW

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  5. lovely & healthy treat for a vegetarian like me......must try.

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  6. Interesting context upfront. My father was a Professor before he retired and my sister was a teacher till few months back (now she is a PO in Bank).
    Good to see the recipe also.

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  7. Yum! Tasty AND nutritious! :)
    #Pintorials

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  8. Thanks for sharing that story--I love learning how recipes come into existence. I have a similar bake where I just throw a bunch of vegetables into a dish with rice and chicken and cream cheese and cheese and it always comes out perfectly, no matter what ends up going into it. I will have to try doing this one instead sometime! Thanks as always for stopping by #FoodandFitnessFriday!

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    1. Thanks Jebbica, so nice of you for your lovely comment.

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  9. Hi Sadhna,
    I for one think all good teachers deserve metals. To me it is a very important job that is helping to shape our children and world. The recipe sounds really tasty and healthy. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & twitted.

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  10. OMG, the pictures are so very tempting, going to try this low fat version soon..

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  11. My mouth is watering right now - looking at there photos!! It's the perfect quiche for me and it's a whole meal :)

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  12. Looks delicious, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning.

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  13. Very interesting and healthy recipe!!

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  14. This looks yummy and a great way to use up the veggies that are coming out of the garden right now. #CookBlogSHare

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  15. Looks good!! and Yummy too! Thanks for Linking up at My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday!! Hope to see you again this week!! Pinned!

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  16. Delicious!! Looks so yummy and colourful

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  17. healthier version. Looks so beautiful and delicious. YUM!

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  18. Oh wow! These look perfect! Lovely recipe too, thanks for sharing! 😊

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  19. I always love baked recipe.... Pics are stunning

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  20. Congratulations!
    Your recipe is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you have a great day and enjoy your new Red Plate.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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    1. Thanks you so much Miz Helen for featuring my recipe of baked vegetables.

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  21. I love baked veggies with lots of cheese on top, this sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing at What'd You Do This Weekend?

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  22. I love dishes that are healthy are quick to make! Thanks for linking up to #frifree4all
    #frifree4all is live over at www.snaphappybakes.com & is now a fortnightly LINK UP! Hope to see you there soon!

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  23. With healthy, hearty ingredients like these, who can resist this comfort food! I love the fact that it is so easy to make in one pot! Just what you needed after a long day at school. I used to be a teacher so I understand how you feel. I am so glad you shared this healthy and delectable lof fat vegetable back recipe with us at the Plant-Based Potluck Party Link Up. I'm pinning and sharing

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    1. Thanks Deborah for such a lovely comment, nice to know that you were also a teacher.

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  24. I know just what you mean about not having the energy to cook sometimes. Sometimes even chopping the veg feels like too much! It looks like you came up with a really tasty, healthy meal here - thanks for sharing with #CookBlogShare!

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    1. Hi Mandy, thanks for visiting and commenting. You are welcome.

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  25. I know exactly what you mean I had a couple of days like that last week, it got to tea time and I did not have the energy to cook! This bake looks and sounds delicious. Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x

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    1. Thanks Kirsty for reading the post and for your comment.

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  26. I'm definitely pinning this one I love veggies, and we make them all the time, this would be a good variation on them. I did not know you were a teacher. do you still teach? And what subject if I may ask?

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    1. Thanks Mary for your comment dear, now I am not teaching, i am retired.

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  27. Can look at my blog and see nutritional facts of low fat food at grocery stores.

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