Baked Vegetables

The lovely coloures and different types of vegetables available in market always mesmerise me. When I look at them, I always think of a lovely colourful salad or stir fry or baked vegetables.
       Baked vegetables is one of those comfort foods which you can have once in a while to treat yourself. Butter, cheese and flour is not actually a very healthy combination for the people who are watching their diet, but there is no harm in pampering ourselves once in a while, isn't it?? Besides, it's a big hit with children. So when you make it, you can be sure that there are not going to be any meal time tantrums!!
        Baked vegetables, garlic bread and some soup makes a wonderful dinner!!
Ingredients and recipe-
For white sauce-
Plain flour 2tsp
Butter 1tsp
Oil 1tsp
Milk 2 cups
Salt,pepper and dried mixed herbs as per taste
Grated Mozzarella or Cheddar cheese
Vegetables-
Green beans, red,yellow and red pepper,sweet corn kernels,cauliflower and/or broccoli florets,mushrooms, asparagus, sweet potato
   You can use any of these vegetables in any quantity you prefer. There is no hard and fast rule about the quantity and types of vegetables used in this recipe.

1) First we will start with the White sauce. Heat butter and oil in a non-stick pan and add flour to it.
2) Once the flour is golden in colour, it leaves a lovely aroma. Add milk to it at this stage while comtinuously stirring with a whisk. This is an important step because if not stirred properly, there will be lumps in the white  sauce.
3) Once flour and milk are fully incorporated, add grated cheese, salt and pepper. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes. White sauce is ready.
4)Now wash all the vegetables and except peppers and mushrooms, pressure cook them for one whistle. Finely chop the peppers and mushrooms.
This can be done while you are making the White sauce. Saves a lot of time.
5)Now take a casserole dish and grease it with little oil or butter. Add a little white sauce at the bottom. Arrange the vegetables on top. Sprinkle salt, pepper and mixed herbs. Add another layer of white sauce and sprinkle some grated cheese on it.
6) Arrange all the White sauce and vegetables similarly and make sure that the top layer is of the white sauce. Sprinkle generous amount of cheese on the top.
7) Keep it in a pre heated oven at 180 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
8) Once the cheese is melted and looks golden brown, baked vegetables are ready.
      Serve it piping hot with garlic bread and soup of your choice.