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    Home » Recipes » Gluten Free » Vegetable Tian

    Published: Aug 19, 2019 · Modified: Jan 18, 2023 by Alicia This post may contain affiliate links.

    Vegetable Tian

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Vegetable tian in a white baking dish
    This vegan summer vegetable tian is all the best flavors of roasted zucchini squash, eggplant, tomatoes, and herbs topped with crispy fried basil. It looks complicated, but is a very simple and delicious recipe. #vegetarian #vegan #vegetabletian #squash

    This recipe for Vegetable Tian layers gorgeous, bright summer vegetables and fresh herbs in an au gratin dish for an easy vegan side dish. Heirloom tomatoes, zucchini squash, summer squash, and eggplant combine with crispy fried basil for a little fun. Because anything with this many veggies should incorporate a fried element.

    Roasted summer squash, zucchini, tomatoes, shallots, and herbs in a gratin dish with crispy basil

    Summer Vegetable Tian

    One of my favorite movies of all time is Ratatouille, where one simple dish becomes a culinary masterpiece. It turns out the dish in Ratatouille wasn't actually ratatouille at all, but vegetable tian. This is because a tian is layered systemically and ratatouille is thrown together in one large dish as a stew. You'll see recipes online with perfectly cut and layered vegetables a la Ratatouille, but I think there's so much beauty in imperfectly layering each slice. If you're having company over and want to impress, then by all means make it perfect. But for our casual date night dinners, I don't put a ton of thought or time into it.

    The most important part of this dish is really the fresh vegetables, and all of these should be very easy to find in season at your local farmers market during the summer. This dish is super simple so you want the flavors to sing. Roasting with olive oil brings out a lovely buttery flavor to the vegetables.

    Layered squash and eggplant slices in a baking dish

    An unbaked vegetable tian in a white gratin dish to show layering of vegetables

    Is a Mandoline Necessary for Vegetable Slices?

    I've made this by slicing my vegetables with a really sharp chefs knife and also a mandoline and I have to say that I prefer using the chefs knife. Although the mandoline will help you cut the vegetables more evenly, a good eye is all you really need. As I said before, this dish is beautiful even if all the slices aren't absolutely perfect. It's also one less thing to clean up.

    How to Fry Basil

    This recipe is inspired by one of my favorite cookbooks The Cooks Atelier. These ladies have an amazing cooking class in Beaune that I had the opportunity to experience last year. Since then, their gorgeous book sat on my shelf, mostly untouched, until I had the urge to cook through it this summer in an effort to pull myself out of some depressive moments.

    Their idea for fried basil is amazing and adds that perfect crispiness to compliment the roasted vegetables. You just have to be careful you don't eat them all before the tian is done. I usually give myself a few extra to snack on.

    I love to serve this vegetable tian with any kind of simple grilled steak, roasted pork loin, or salmon.
    Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri
    Roasted Pork Loin
    Seared Salmon from Salmon with Creamed Spinach
    Peach & Watermelon Summer Salad

    For more migraine-friendly vegan and vegetarian recipe ideas, see this post.

    A baked vegetable tian that is topped with fried crispy basil in a white dish

    Roasted summer squash, zucchini, tomatoes, shallots, and herbs in a gratin dish with crispy basil

    Vegetable Tian with Crispy Basil

    Zucchini, summer squash, eggplant, and tomatoes are combined with herbs and roasted to create this simple and healthy side dish. Serve warm along side pasta or simply grilled meat.
    4.50 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: French
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 51kcal
    Author: Alicia

    Ingredients

    Vegetable Tian

    • 1 garlic clove, minced
    • 2-3 large heirloom tomatoes, sliced into thin rounds
    • 1-2 yellow summer squash, sliced horizontally into ¼" rounds
    • 1-2 zucchini, sliced horizontally into ¼" rounds
    • 2 shallots, sliced thin
    • 1 mini purple or striped eggplant, sliced into thin rounds
    • ½ teaspoon dried rosemary (or 1 teaspoon fresh, minced)
    • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon fresh, minced)
    • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano (or ½ teaspoon fresh, minced)
    • extra virgin olive oil
    • kosher salt and fresh black pepper

    Fried Basil

    • organic canola or high-heat frying oil
    • 7 (or more!) fresh basil leaves, washed and thoroughly dried
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a small bowl, combine the dried (or fresh) herbs. Prepare a large gratin baking dish by lightly coating with a little bit of olive oil and rubbing with the minced garlic. Begin to layer your squash, zucchini, tomatoes, shallots, and eggplant. (I forgot to include the tomatoes in the picture, but you can add those in as you like them). Sprinkle with herbs and a little bit of kosher salt and black pepper between each layer.
      Layered squash and eggplant slices in a baking dish
    • Continue to layer all the vegetables until the gratin dish is filled. Drizzle the top with a bit of olive oil and bake for about 40 minutes until the vegetables are lightly browned and tender.
      Layered vegetable tian ingredients in a gratin dish
    • Prepare paper towels on a plate next to your pan. Meanwhile, pour canola or high heat oil into a heavy bottomed pan, like a cast iron. You want to pour enough oil to cover the entire bottom of the pan. Heat over medium until the oil sizzles with a small flick of water. Place TOTALLY DRY basil leaves into the oil and fry them for a few seconds (about 10-20) until they're bright green. (Be careful as they tend to splatter..a splatter screen helps.) Remove the basil leaves with a slotted spoon and place onto paper towels to dry. Sprinkle with a tiny bit of salt and try to avoid snacking.
    • Top vegetable tian with the fried basil pieces and serve warm.

    Notes

    • Don't like eggplant? Sub it out with more tomatoes, zucchini or summer squash. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 51kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 573mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 758IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg
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    About Alicia

    Alicia is a vestibular migraine advocate and the bestselling author of The Dizzy Cook: Managing Migraine with More Than 90 Comforting Recipes and Lifestyle Tips. Her articles and recipes have been featured by Healthline, Parade, mindbodygreen, Today, Good Morning Texas, the Vestibular Disorders Association, and the American Migraine Foundation. Read More

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cindy says

      February 18, 2023 at 10:11 am

      4 stars
      This makes a nice side dish and a very nice presentation.

      Reply
    2. Ann says

      April 19, 2021 at 6:09 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious and beautiful!

      Reply

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    Recipe Rating




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    Meet the Cook! I’m Alicia, cookbook author and recipe developer. I was diagnosed with Chronic Vestibular Migraine in 2016 - a diagnosis that changed my life. I’ve gone from bedridden to extremely active by implementing migraine diet, incorporating key supplements, and making lifestyle changes. The Dizzy Cook is a collection of my delicious recipes that everyone will love, and tips for anyone that struggles with migraine attacks.

    About The Dizzy Cook

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    • Beef Stew Recipe without Wine
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    • No Tomato Chili (Texas-Style)
    • Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie
    • Air Fryer Flank Steak

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    Favorite Healthy Recipes

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    Meet the Cook! I’m Alicia, cookbook author and recipe developer. I was diagnosed with Chronic Vestibular Migraine in 2016 - a diagnosis that changed my life. I’ve gone from bedridden to extremely active by implementing migraine diet, incorporating key supplements, and making lifestyle changes. The Dizzy Cook is a collection of my delicious recipes that everyone will love, and tips for anyone that struggles with migraine attacks.

    About The Dizzy Cook

    Popular Recipes

    • Creamy Boursin Pasta
    • Beef Stew Recipe without Wine
    • Lazy Lasagna
    • No Tomato Chili (Texas-Style)
    • Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie
    • Air Fryer Flank Steak

    Get New Posts via Email

    Subscribe for new recipes, tips, and discounts.

    Favorite Healthy Recipes

    • Stir Fry Without Soy Sauce
    • Beef Protein Bowl
    • Mediterranean Baked Halibut
    • Dutch Oven Pot Roast (Wine-Free)
    • Baked Chicken Kabobs
    • Chicken and Brown Rice Soup

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