Soup’s on

Homemade vegetable soup gets its rich flavor from the slow roasting method.

Transfer roasted vegetables to a soup pot, add vegetable stock and water, and bring to a gentle boil. Simmer until flavors meld. Puree soup in blender and return to pot. Season to taste. Serve your fresh-from-the-earth soup with crusty bread and a tossed salad.

Or combine roasted vegetables with vegetable or beef stock and water (at least 3 cups [710 ml]) in a soup pot and bring to a boil. Add 1 cup (198 grams) of barley and cook until barley becomes tender (about an hour). Add roasted mushrooms, add butter to taste, and season with thyme, salt, and pepper.

Elegant vegetable tart

Tarts don’t have to be time-consuming, but they can appear to be! Pick up a prepackaged pastry shell or piecrust, and dinner is ready sooner than you thought.

Follow directions for pastry preparation. Layer crust or sheet with ricotta cheese mixed with lemon juice, a healthy handful of parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and oregano. Place roasted vegetables on top of the ricotta and drizzle the tart or pie with olive oil. Sprinkle pine nuts over top and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until crust is a golden brown. Dinner is served!

Perfect pasta

Use the last of your roasted vegetable stash to create a rich, velvety pasta dish.

Prepare your favorite pasta—spaghetti, linguini, rotini, penne—and drain. Place the hot pasta in a large serving bowl. Toss in vegetables with several spoonfuls of goat cheese, brie, or other soft cheese. Stir together and let the heat of pasta melt the cheese and warm the vegetables. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.