How To: Roast vegetables

One of the best ways to warm up a winter meal is to serve a big platter of richly caramelized roasted vegetables. Our favorite combination is a jumble of parsnips, fennel, carrots, red or Yukon gold potatoes, whole garlic cloves and the secret ingredient -- lemon slices. The lemons caramelize and lend a brightness to the other veggies, but should be removed before serving. Cut the veggies into (mostly) uniform pieces and toss with olive oil, coarse salt, pepper and maybe a few herbs (fresh rosemary is great). Roast at 400 degrees for 40 minutes, turning once they being to brown. They're a perfect accompaniment to pork, chicken and even fish, or as a meatless main course.