Cheesy Vegetable Tian: An Elegant and Flavorful Vegetable Side Dish

Prepare to be amazed by this Cheesy Vegetable Tian – a dish so irresistibly delicious, even the pickiest eaters will ask for seconds! Its vibrant colors and layers of fresh vegetables make for a stunning presentation, while a generous sprinkle of cheeses creates an unforgettable flavor profile. This elegant side dish is perfect for any occasion, from a casual family dinner to a festive holiday gathering.

Showcasing the bountiful flavors of summer, this tian artfully combines tender summer squash, ripe tomatoes, and hearty potatoes, baked to perfection under a blanket of melted cheese. It’s a celebration of garden-fresh ingredients, transformed into a comforting and visually appealing masterpiece that will undoubtedly become a staple in your culinary repertoire.

What is a Vegetable Tian? Exploring a Classic French Technique

The term “tian” originates from a traditional French earthenware cooking dish, typically glazed only on the inside. Over time, the name evolved to describe the culinary preparation cooked within this vessel: a layered, baked vegetable dish often topped with cheese.

Historically, a tian involved slowly cooking chopped vegetables in olive oil, then finishing them with a sprinkle of cheese. Our Cheesy Vegetable Tian takes a slightly modernized approach, using thinly sliced vegetables arranged in a beautiful, concentric pattern. While a traditional tian dish features a distinctive flared-out, truncated cone shape, a standard pie plate or any oven-safe baking dish works wonderfully, making this gourmet-looking dish accessible to every home cook.

This recipe embraces the spirit of the tian by celebrating simple, fresh ingredients. Instead of the usual winter squash varieties like butternut or acorn, we focus on the bright, delicate flavors of summer squash, zucchini, and yellow squash. This choice makes our tian lighter and perfect for warmer months, though its comforting qualities are welcome any time of year. If you are craving winter squash, however, don’t miss out on an arugula salad with roasted butternut squash or these roasted autumn vegetables, both incredibly delicious options for a different season!

Crafting the Perfect Cheesy Vegetable Tian: Expert Tips for Success

Achieving a beautiful and delicious Cheesy Vegetable Tian is simpler than you might think. Here are some invaluable tips to guide you:

• Choose Your Baking Dish Wisely: While a traditional tian dish is ideal, any oven-safe baking dish will work. A pie plate, gratin dish, or even a rectangular casserole dish can be used. Just be aware that the size of your dish will dictate the quantity of vegetables you’ll need. A shallower, wider dish often yields better browning and cooking results.
• Uniformity is Key: For the most visually appealing presentation and even cooking, aim to purchase vegetables of a similar diameter. This makes slicing and arranging them much easier. If you can’t find small enough potatoes, don’t hesitate to cut larger slices in half. New potatoes are also a fantastic alternative to russets, as their smaller size often aligns better with the squash and tomatoes.
• Consistent Slicing for Even Cooking: Use a mandoline slicer if you have one, or a very sharp knife, to ensure all your vegetables are sliced to a consistent thickness. Potatoes, which take longer to cook, should be sliced slightly thinner (about 1/8-inch) than the zucchini, yellow squash, and tomatoes (about 1/4-inch). This precision guarantees that all vegetables become tender at the same time, preventing some from being undercooked or overcooked.
• Artful Arrangement: While the goal is often to have vegetables standing upright for a dramatic effect, don’t worry if you don’t have enough to fill the dish perfectly. Layering them in concentric circles, overlapping as needed, creates an equally stunning and rustic look. The key is to alternate between the different vegetables as you layer, creating a vibrant pattern.
• Prevent Drying Out: Covering your tian with foil for the majority of the baking time is crucial. This helps the vegetables steam and cook through without drying out, and also prevents the cheese from browning too quickly.
• Achieve Golden Perfection: If you desire a beautifully golden, slightly crispy cheese topping, simply remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes of baking. Alternatively, a brief minute or two under the broiler can achieve this. Always keep a close eye on the tian when broiling, as cheese can burn quickly. The dish is perfectly cooked when a knife or fork can easily pierce the potato slices.

The Flavor Profile: Why These Ingredients Sing Together

The beauty of this Cheesy Vegetable Tian lies in the harmonious interplay of its simple, fresh ingredients. Each component brings something unique to the table, creating a symphony of flavors and textures.

• Zucchini and Yellow Squash: These mild, tender summer vegetables form the backbone of the tian. When baked, they become incredibly soft, absorbing the flavors of the olive oil, garlic, and herbs. Their slight sweetness balances the savory elements of the dish.
• Potatoes: Providing substance and a creamy texture, thinly sliced potatoes become wonderfully tender as they bake. They offer a satisfying heartiness that elevates the tian from a simple vegetable dish to a fulfilling side.
• Tomatoes: Ripe plum tomatoes add a burst of acidity and freshness. Their juices mingle with the other vegetables, creating a flavorful broth at the bottom of the dish. As they cook, they become sweet and slightly jammy, complementing the squash perfectly.
• Onions and Garlic: Sautéed onions form a flavorful base for the tian, infusing every bite with their sweet, aromatic notes. Minced garlic adds a pungent depth that is indispensable in Mediterranean-inspired dishes like this.
• Cheese: The star of the show! A blend of Gruyere or Mozzarella for a rich, melty texture, combined with a sprinkle of shredded Parmesan for its sharp, salty kick, creates a delectable golden crust that binds all the flavors together. The cheese offers a creamy counterpoint to the tender vegetables and adds an irresistible umami dimension.
• Herbs and Seasoning: Fresh thyme or dried Italian seasoning, along with a generous amount of Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, tie all the flavors together. These seasonings enhance the natural sweetness of the vegetables and add an aromatic complexity.

This combination makes for a dish that is both light and comforting, perfect for showcasing the season’s best produce.

Join the Culinary Journey with Progressive Eats

If you’re looking for an exciting way to explore new recipes and connect with a vibrant food blogging community, look no further than Progressive Eats! Imagine a progressive dinner party, but with a modern, virtual twist. Each month, a unique theme is chosen, and talented food bloggers from around the web contribute recipes that fit the theme. This allows you to “hop” from one blog to another, discovering a full course meal or a collection of dishes perfect for a specific occasion.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to broaden your culinary horizons, find inspiration for your next meal, and engage with a passionate community of food enthusiasts. This month, our virtual Progressive Dinner Party, hosted by Susan from The Wimpy Vegetarian, features a wonderful array of comforting squash dishes. While many participants focused on the hearty flavors of winter squash, our Cheesy Vegetable Tian stands out as a delightful perennial favorite, proving that summer squash has a place on the table all year long!

Comforting Squash Dishes from Progressive Eats

Explore these delicious contributions from our Progressive Eats community:

Cocktails

• Acorn Squash Rum Punch from Mother Would Know

Appetizers

• Cheesy Vegetable Tian from That Skinny Chick Can Bake (That’s us!)
• Plus, if you have extra zucchini, try these Zucchini Fritters!

Soup

• Instant Pot Spicy Butternut Squash Soup from The Heritage Cook

Mains

• Stuffed Delicata Squash from The Wimpy Vegetarian
• Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Butternut Squash, Chickpeas and Olives from From A Chef’s Kitchen

Sides

• Cheesy Butternut Squash Pasta from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Roasted Delicata Squash from OMG Yummy

Desserts

• Pumpkin Bars with Maple Frosting and Toasted Walnuts from Creative Culinary

The Recipe:

Cheesy Vegetable Tian

Prep Time
15 minutes

Cook Time
40 minutes

Total Time
55 minutes

Yield
4 servings

A stunning side dish with slices of tomatoes, two kinds of summer squash and potatoes baked with cheese and onions.

Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 12 reviews

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 large yellow onion, cut in half and thinly sliced
• 1-2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1-2 zucchinis, sliced about 1/4-inch thick
• 1-2 yellow squash, sliced about 1/4-inch thick
• 1 medium russet potato, sliced about 1/8-inch thick (aim for a narrow diameter potato)
• 2-3 plum tomatoes, sliced about 1/4-inch thick
• Fresh thyme or dried Italian seasoning
• 1/4 cup grated cheese, Gruyere or Mozzarella
• Shredded Parmesan
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste (at least 1/2 teaspoon salt)

Instructions

1. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a large sauté pan. Heat on medium and add onions, then garlic. Add a couple pinches of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are tender.

2. Spray a large pie plate or oven-safe dish with non-stick cooking spray. Add the cooked onion mixture to the bottom of the pan. Set aside.

3. Begin arranging the sliced vegetables over the onions in a spiral pattern, working from the outside towards the middle. Alternate one slice of each vegetable (zucchini, yellow squash, potato, tomato) and repeat. Try to match similar-sized slices as you layer for an even look.

4. Make any necessary adjustments after all vegetables are in the pan to ensure they are dispersed evenly. Then, sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Top generously with the grated cheese and cover the dish with foil. Bake for 40 minutes, or until a knife can easily pierce the potato slices.

5. If you desire a slightly browned and crispy cheese topping, carefully remove the foil and broil for a minute or two, watching very closely to prevent burning.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 240
Total Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 15mg
Sodium: 211mg
Carbohydrates: 27g
Fiber: 6g
Sugar: 10g
Protein: 9g

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