I love roasting and eating vegetables..

I mean, if I can throw it onto sheet pan and drizzle it with oil—I will..

This recipe takes a simple side dish at dinner and adds in a few ingredients to create a perfect lunchtime or supper meal that's wonderful during these cold northeastern winters..

One of the first things I started with here is deciding on a mix of vegetables—so taking two recipes from my Thanksgiving side dish post, back in October, I got to work on what would become this delish soup recipe..

Going almost half Brussels sprouts and half cauliflower, with some broccoli thrown in for good measure—I tossed it all down onto my sheet pan and drizzled it with quality extra virgin olive oil with a little fine sea salt & pepper to finish. Then into the oven it went..

Truly I love simple recipes like this with just a few dishes needed; one pan, one pot a knife and a spoon—what could be simpler and leave less work for you afterwards then that. Well a skillet meal like my frittatas, and mexi-skillet recipe, but I digress..

While my veggies went about becoming all roasty browned and tasty; I prepped the base for my soup which included some lean prosciutto, shallots, garlic & chicken stock..

Quicker than you'd think it was time to pull my roasty toasty vegetables out of the oven and spoon them into the pot with the soup base and bring it up to a nice low simmer for about 10 minutes..

Here is where an immersion blender is key if you want to save on spatters, dribbles, spills and sloshing as you attempt to blend a little of the soup at a time and then dumping into another dish—you're guaranteed to add to your after cooking clean up; and really, who wants that, right!

A few minutes of immersion blending later and you have a supremely thick soup that just needs a little seasoning for taste before it's ready to serve..

Garnish each bowl with some reserved roasted veggies, the slightly crispy cooked prosciutto and some shredded Manchego cheese an you'll have a beautiful dish that's sure to please..

I loved it and I'm sure if you try it for yourself that you will to; because it is, oh so "Definitely Delish"

"Roasted Cauliflower, Broccoli & Brussels Sprout Soup"

Ingredients:
16 oz cauliflower florets
16 oz Brussels sprouts, halved
8 oz. Broccoli florets
4 oz. lean Prosciutto, cut into small pieces (see notes for vegan options)
3-4 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tablespoons Butter (see notes)
1/4 cup Shallots, chopped
2 cloves of Garlic, minced
3 1/2 cups low sodium Chicken Stock (see notes)
1 cup Vegetable Broth
1/2 teaspoon fine Sea Salt, plus more to taste
White Pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon fresh chopped Italian Parsley
Natural Olive Oil Spray

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit..
2. Spray a large baking sheet with the Olive Oil Spray. Place the cauliflower, broccoli and Brussels sprouts cut side down on the baking sheet, drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt—then roast on the bottom third of the oven 25 minutes, tossing half way until slightly browned..
3. Meanwhile, add 1 tablespoon of oil to your soup pot on medium heat and add your pieces of prosciutto—cooking until browned, then remove from the pot and reserve for later..
4. Now lower the temperature of the pot to low heat and melt the butter, then add the shallots & garlic. Cook until translucent, about 5 minutes..
5. Add the chicken stock and simmer 5 minutes..

6. Shut the oven, reserve about 1 cup or more of the roasted vegetables and keep warm on the baking sheet..
7. Transfer the rest to the pot and simmer for 5 minutes, covered..
8. Now, using an immersion blender, blend until a thick even consistency is reached. You may also enjoy it chunkier, so can stop when it reaches the style you enjoy..
9. Now simmer on low heat for 5 to 10 minutes, adding up to 1 cup of vegetable broth if thinning of the soup is needed. As well as adding sea salt and white pepper to taste. (Any last minute additions such as fresh herbs, rubbed sage, etc can be added to enhance the flavor if you desire)

Notes:
1. Serve in bowls topped with the some of the roasted vegetables, cooked prosciutto, chopped parsley and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil..
2. You can also add a bit of fresh shredded 8 month Manchego cheese, which I did. (Optionally Romano or another cheese could be substituted) Serve immediately..

3. You can remove the prosciutto (or use vegan/vegetarian friendly option if available), substitute the butter for a non dairy version (Olio olive oil spread, or another) and replace the chicken stock with vegetable broth to make this soup Vegetarian or Vegan friendly....

Summer's over and all the children are back in school; so you know what that means, that's right, the Holiday season is upon us. For the next several months the parties and dinners will almost be non-stop and though the big granddaddy of them all may be "Thanksgiving" in November, there will be more than enough other events both big and small to occupy our days in the meantime. So to help with that all important decision this year about what to bring, or serve, as a vegetable for family and friends at your next gathering. Let me suggest two that will serve you well…

A quick and simple side, full of the incredible flavor of Italian bacon and perfect to either make for your own, or bring to a, Thanksgiving Day celebration with family or friends…

"Pan-Seared Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta"

Ingredients:
1 pound fresh Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 ounces thick cut pancetta, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
Sea Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Dash of red pepper flakes
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Pinch of fresh Thyme and Sage, finely minced (1/4 teaspoon)

Directions:
1. Begin by partially cooking the Brussel sprouts in a large pot of boiling salted water, about 4 minutes. (Or you can lightly steam in the microwave until slightly cooked)
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and sauté until beginning to crisp, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté until pale golden, about 2 minutes...
3. Then add the herbs and red pepper flakes, followed by the Brussels sprouts, to the same skillet and sauté until heated through and beginning to brown—about 5 minutes...
4. Season with sea salt and pepper, to taste. Then add the broth and cook until the broth reduces just enough to coat the Brussels sprouts, about 3 minutes...
Serve and enjoy...

This is the most delicious cauliflower recipe you’ll eat and on top of that it’s such an easy addition to include a roasted cauliflower in your family’s dinner plan or for a dinner party with friends. I have also been told you can do it in an instant pot, and then brown in the oven for a few minutes.

"Whole Roasted Cauliflower"

Ingredients:
1 whole head of Cauliflower
½ cup of Greek Olive oil (premium EVOO available at The Crushed Olive, Babylon)
Clarified Butter or Ghee (available at North Shore Farms, or substitute butter)
Fresh Italian Parsley, chopped
Cast Iron Skillet (or any oven safe pan)
1 teaspoon Pink Himalayan or Sea Salt, or more to taste
1/4 teaspoon Fresh Ground White Pepper, or more to taste
Aluminum/Tin Foil

Directions:
1. First, go and preheat your oven to 375º Fahrenheit. Then trim the bottom of the cauliflower and remove all the leaves and the hard stem – but without breaking apart the cauliflower...
2. Go ahead and give it a quick rinse, patting it to dry. Generously drizzle your extra virgin olive oil on top. It’s the key to a perfectly roasted cauliflower head. Then add salt and pepper...
3. Using your hands spread the oil and salt all around the cauliflower. Place it in an oven-safe pan and cover tightly it with foil. I use a cast iron skillet, but if you don’t have one, anything that you use in the oven will work...
4. Cook in the oven for 30 minutes, depending on the size of your cauliflower...
5. Now, remove foil and allow it to roast for an additional 60 minutes so it turns golden brown. Keep an eye on it, so it doesn’t burn...
6. After it’s finished; melt 3 Tbsps. of Ghee (clarified butter, available at North Shore Farms) and mix in the chopped parsley, then drizzle or brush it on the cauliflower while it’s still hot...
7. Once it’s sliced, it may need extra salt-season to taste…