Main dish

Roasted Vegetable Quiche

The most indulgent aspect of this quiche is that it can be prepared and baked the day before. Warm it in a 300-degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes right before serving.

1 red bell pepper, cored and diced

1 small red onion, diced

1 small sweet potato, peeled and diced

1 medium zucchini, diced

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

Dough for a 9-inch single-crust pie

3/4 cup shredded Gruyere cheese

6 eggs

1 cup half-and-half

Heat the oven to 400 degrees.

In a large bowl, toss the bell pepper, onion, sweet potato and zucchini. Add the olive oil, rosemary, salt and pepper; stir to coat. Spread the mixture on a rimmed baking sheet and roast 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and beginning to brown. Remove from the oven. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees.

Fit the dough into a pie pan, crimping the edges. Place on a baking sheet and add the roasted vegetables. Top with the cheese.

In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs and half-and-half. Pour over the cheese and vegetables. Bake 45 minutes, or until slightly puffed and set in the middle. Allow to cool slightly before serving. Makes 8 servings.

Per serving: 290 calories, 170 calories from fat (59 percent of total calories), 19 g fat (8 g saturated, 0 g trans fats), 160 mg cholesterol, 20 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 4 g sugar, 10 g protein, 330 mg sodium.

Soup

Squash Bisque With Roasted Corn Salsa

2 tablespoons butter

1 large red onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

4 cups cubed butternut squash

2 carrots, diced

1 quart vegetable stock or broth

For the salsa

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed

1 cup grape tomatoes, halved

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Salt and ground pepper

1 cup heavy cream

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and garlic and cook until tender, 7 to 8 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup of this mixture. Add the ginger, squash, carrots and stock and bring to a simmer. Cook until the vegetables are very tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

While the soup cooks, make the salsa. In a skillet over high, heat the oil. Add the corn kernels and grape tomatoes and sear until browned, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the reserved onions. Stir in the vinegar, and season with salt and pepper.

Working in batches, puree soup in a blender. Return it to the pan and stir in the cream. Season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with the salsa. Makes 8 servings.

Per serving: 220 calories, 140 calories from fat (64 percent of total calories), 16 g fat (9 g saturated, 0 g trans fats), 50 mg cholesterol, 18 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 6 g sugar, 3 g protein, 100 mg sodium.

Salad

Bell Pepper and Apple Slaw

1 medium red bell pepper, cored and julienned

1 medium yellow bell pepper, cored and julienned

2 medium carrots, grated

2 celery stalks, thinly sliced

1 Granny Smith apple, cored and julienned

Seeds of 1 pomegranate

Zest and juice of 1 large orange

2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Pinch of red pepper flakes

In a large bowl, combine both bell peppers, the carrots, celery, apple and pomegranate seeds. In a small bowl, whisk the orange zest and juice, vinegar, salt, olive oil, mustard and red pepper flakes. Pour over the slaw mixture and toss to thoroughly coat. Makes 8 servings.

Per serving: 90 calories, 35 calories from fat (39 percent of total calories), 3.5 g fat (0.5 g saturated, 0 trans fats), 0 cholesterol, 14 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 10 g sugar, 1 g protein, 170 mg sodium.

Side dish

Cornbread Stuffing Mushrooms

We spooned savory cornbread stuffing into portobello mushroom caps for a dish that is as attractive as it is delicious.

8 large portobello mushroom caps

Salt and pepper

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 small yellow onion, chopped

1 medium leek, green and white parts, sliced

1 medium carrot, grated

1 celery rib, finely diced

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary

2 cups diced cornbread

Vegetable broth, as needed

Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

Arrange the mushrooms on a rimmed baking sheet, gill sides up. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and leek and sauté until tender, about 7 to 8 minutes. Add the carrot, celery, thyme and rosemary and cook until tender, about another 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and gently fold in the cornbread.

When the mushrooms are done, pour any liquid that has collected on the rimmed baking sheet into the cornbread mixture. If the mixture is dry, sprinkle in a bit of vegetable broth. Gently mix. Spoon the mixture into the mushroom caps and return to the oven. Bake for 20 minutes, or until lightly browned on top. Makes 8 servings.

Per serving: 180 calories, 50 calories from fat (28 percent of total calories), 6 g fat (2.5 g saturated, 0 g trans fats), 25 mg cholesterol, 27 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 3 g sugar, 5 g protein, 430 mg sodium.