Vegetable Tian ~ Barefoot Contessa ~ easy and delicious.....

As summer wanes and while we still have a bounty of fresh veggies, I decided to make this dish.  I made it as a  brunch side dish and it was such a hit, but then again wouldn't anything be a hit with fresh garden vegetables and gruyere cheese?  ;)

Instead of layering the vegetables, I lined them up this way.  And I didn't use a 9 x 13 pan, mine was an 8 x 8 square dish.  My vegetables were on the smaller side, which I like much better especially with zucchini and summer squash.  I also use roma tomatoes for cooked dishes as I think they hold up much nicer.  Anyway you make this dish, it's a winner.  Don't you think?

Vegetable Tian

Ingredients:

• Good olive oil
• 2 large yellow onions, cut in half and sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound medium round potatoes, unpeeled
• 3/4 pound zucchini
• 1 1/4 pounds medium tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, plus extra sprigs
• 2 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Brush a 9 by 13 by 2-inch baking dish with olive oil. In a medium saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and cook the onions over medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Spread the onion mixture on the bottom of the baking dish.

Slice the potatoes, zucchini, and tomatoes in 1/4-inch thick slices. Layer them alternately in the dish on top of the onions, fitting them tightly, making only 1 layer. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, thyme leaves, and thyme sprigs and drizzle with 1 more tablespoon of olive oil. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Uncover the dish, remove the thyme sprigs, sprinkle the cheese on top, and bake for another 30 minutes until browned. Serve warm.

Enjoy!