‘Tis the season for oven-roasted vegetables. This method of preparing veggies is one of the easiest and most delicious. Roasting (i.e. baking in the oven at a high temperature) brings out all the natural flavors of vegetables and intensifies them. The process also creates caramelization and a nice, crunchy exterior.
Sweet potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, fennel, and red onion are all prime choices for roasting. (Photo courtesy Amelia Crook on Flickr)
While the ingredients couldn’t be simpler – all you need is olive oil and salt – vegetables often require different cooking times to roast evenly. As a general rule, root vegetables like carrots or turnips take longer to roast while more delicate veggies like onions or broccoli cook up quickly.
Perfect Pairings
In a pre-heated 450-degree oven, these vegetables share similar cooking times and taste great together:
- Baby squash, bell peppers, and zucchini – 10-15 minutes
- Broccoli, garlic, radishes – 10-15 minutes
- Carrots, turnips, sweet potatoes – 30-40 minutes
- Parsnips, carrots, new potatoes – 30-40 minutes
- Cherry tomatoes, eggplant, garlic – 15-20 minutes
Pro Tips
- Aim for all the vegetables you roast together to be about the same size. For example, if you choose to roast cherry tomatoes with eggplant, leave the cherry tomatoes whole and cut the eggplant into 1-inch cubes.
- Craving a pairing that has different roasting times? No problem. Put the vegetables that require more cooking in the oven first, then add the fast-cooking veggies later.
- For a healthier option, skip the oil. You can use chicken stock or even a bit of water to cover the bottom of the roasting pan and prevent sticking. If you do use oil, make sure it’s olive oil: this healthy fat has a higher burning point safe for roasting.
- Don’t pile up the pan. Vegetables need space to roast – arrange them in a single layer with room to breathe for best results.
- Flip the vegetables halfway through, if possible, to allow for the most even cooking.
- You don’t just have to use salt! Try out other spices like pepper, rosemary, thyme, or cumin for an added layer of flavor.
- Roasted veggies are more than a side. You can puree them to create a flavorful, luscious soup using a food processor and a bit of liquid like chicken stock, cream, or water.
With fall in mind, we’ve harvested a hearty crop of apartment specials this month. Our November specials at 1st Lake Properties offer incentives at many of our communities in Greater New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Mississippi. As part of our renovation celebration, we’re offering free rent at Turtle Creek; at Arbor Gate, we’ve lowered our initial deposit fee. Even more great deals are available, too – take a look at all of our specials below!
Lakes of Chateau Estates South is just one of several beautiful properties offering November specials.
Turtle Creek – Interested in a studio? One week of free rent will lure you to Turtle Creek in Metairie. All apartments will soon have a washer/dryer and added flex space as part of an ongoing renovation celebration!
Van Mark Apartments – Located in Ridgeland, MS, Van Mark apartments is offering $150 of your first full month of rent as part of our November special. It’s all in the details at this spacious community: wood-burning fireplaces and spacious closets make these apartments feel like home.
Lakes of Chateau Estates South – Call now to find out about our reduced rates on select apartments at this Kenner community. A putting green and a private lake are just a few of the amenities that beckon outdoor enthusiasts.
Sugar Mill East – These Kenner apartments warm the heart with sunrooms in each and every unit. As if being only a block from Lake Pontchartrain weren’t enough, these apartments also include access to Sugar Lake, a private lake stocked with fish and a picturesque mill wheel. Call now for up to $250 off move-in costs and reduced rents on select units.
Sawmill Creek – Offering reduced rent and move-in costs on select 2-bedroom apartments, Sawmill Creek could garner you up to $1,200 in total savings! This River Ridge, LA, community creates a cozy atmosphere with wooded landscaping and in-apartment amenities like a fireplace and vaulted ceilings.
Arbor Gate – Arbor Gate apartments in Picayune, MS, feature amenities like a state-of-the-art fitness center and plenty of green space that creates a sense of tranquility within this gated community. Pair that with this month’s special – a $99 deposit and reduced rates – and you’ll see why Arbor Gate is an excellent contender for your next home.
Lake Towers – These downtown apartments offer seamless access to the best of the Baton Rouge lifestyle – festivals, farmer’s markets, and restaurants are all just a quick bike ride away. The November special offers waived administrative fees on all 15-month leases and reduced rates on select units. Call now to find out more!
Lakes of Chateau Estates North – Our November special includes special rental rates on select units. This Kenner property offers amenities made for enjoying the fall weather, like landscaped walkways and a private lake. Call now for more details about rent and move-in.
Citrus Creek West – Located in River Ridge, Citrus Creek West is in an unbeatable location: Metairie and Downtown New Orleans are both easily accessible, and you’ll experience the peace and quiet of life just outside a major metropolis. Featuring special rates on select units, this gated community also includes thoughtful amenities like fireplaces and gourmet kitchens.
Forbes Magazine recently named New Orleans as their “biggest brain magnet,” and with that distinction, a number of young professionals have chosen to move here.
Many young professionals are flocking to the New Orleans area for amazing job and living opportunities. (Photo courtesy ruimc77 on Flickr)
According to a recent article in New Orleans City Business, census figures show that members of Generation X and Y (ages mid-30s to mid-40s) make up almost one-third of the population in New Orleans, compared with a national average of just 26 percent. As a result, demographers were quick to name New Orleans as one of America’s fastest-growing cities.
In terms of where to find a home, apartment living is quickly becoming the most viable option for residency during this period of fast growth.
Finding an apartment in New Orleans can be challenging for incoming transplants. At 1st Lake Properties, we are empathetic to the emotional and physical energy it takes to choose a new place to call home. Living outside the city presents an enticing option for newcomers. Apartments are much more plentiful in areas like Metairie and Harahan. This up-and-coming area features suburbs like River Ridge and Elmwood, in addition to our upcoming luxury property, Bella Ridge.
Additionally, these areas offer perks like easy parking and quick access to downtown, both of which are harder to come by when you actually live within the city; congestion and street parking are two constant realities of the New Orleans lifestyle.
“People moving to New Orleans who aren’t sure how long they’re going to stay or who don’t want to buy a home are driving growth in Elmwood,” says our senior vice president, Stacey Shane Schott, in the City Business article.
The suburb offers not only unbeatable proximity to New Orleans, but also plenty of amenities. Elmwood Shopping Center features major stores like World Market, TJ Maxx, Ashley Home Furniture, Ulta, Zoe’s Kitchen, Five Guys Burgers, and much more.
Bella Ridge itself creates a luxurious atmosphere for residents with thoughtful details like an on-site dog park, office space within each unit, and clean, modern interiors.
“We’re expecting folks to stay with us for one or two years until they establish job security,” says Schott, noting that residents may choose to buy a house down the road. “Until then, they’ll be our residents.”
Take a look at all of our Greater New Orleans properties, and please don’t hesitate to contact us with your questions.
The Jazz and Heritage Foundation draws global recognition for Jazz Fest, but did you know the foundation puts on several other events in the city? From last month’s Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival to annual competitions like Class Got Brass?, the foundation spotlights the importance of music in New Orleans throughout the year. If you’re looking to enjoy some of the foundation’s (and the city’s) finest fruits, head to the Treme Creole Gumbo Festival, starting Nov. 8 in Armstrong Park.
This gumbo from Miss Linda’s was featured at last year’s festival. (Photo courtesy Paul Broussard on Flickr)
As the name suggests, this festival pairs brass band music – including the Treme Brass Band – with plenty of gumbo offerings. Seafood and meat gumbos will be in attendance, but guests can also look forward to a vegan gumbo competition. Each restaurant participating in the festival is eligible to enter a vegan gumbo, free of any meat or animal products like butter, milk, or eggs. Competitors can also choose to create a gluten-free vegan gumbo, if desired. Culinary experts will judge each vegan creation, and visitors can purchase a sample to vote for their own favorite.
The second annual vegan gumbo contest aims to encourage healthy eating habits and also features a partnership with PETA.
A new addition to the festival is the organizers’ decision to merge the arts market with the children’s area. The decision adds to the allure of this family friendly event: local artists will lead interactive workshops for kids, providing a creative atmosphere for all to enjoy.
As always, music is at the forefront of this Jazz and Heritage Foundation event. Expect a near-constant stream of brass music throughout the festival, which runs from 11:00 a.m. until 7:15 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. In addition to local high school bands, the festival will also feature standouts like the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra Brass Band and the Soul Rebels, who close out the festival on Sunday.
So many of our Greater New Orleans properties are just a short drive from the event, and parking is plentiful. Take advantage of the city’s top-notch music and food at this fall festival.
The next few months are rife with diet pitfalls as we head into fall and winter holidays. Corresponding with this calorie-laden season is the “fall back” time change. When we get home from work and it’s already dark outside, the last thing we want to do is exercise!
Choosing healthy foods and cooking at home are easy ways to steel yourself against junk food cravings. Our bodies also need plenty of protein to keep us full and satisfied.
Lean meats are a great source of protein, but plenty of plant-based sources can provide healthful protein with less fat and cholesterol than meat alternatives. Take tempeh, for example: this soybean-derived food has 21 grams of protein per 4-ounce serving, approximately the same amount of protein as a serving of beef.
Review our top ten list plant-based proteins, and aim to incorporate a few servings into your diet each day. Adequate protein not only helps support and repair muscles, but also provides the body with energy to fight fatigue. Avoid the sugar crash by choosing protein instead!
Chickpea and lentil soup packs in two types of plant-based proteins. Serve it warm or at room temperature for a hearty appetizer. (Photo courtesy travelingmcmahans on Flickr)
Best Plant-Based Vegan Protein Sources
- Chickpeas
- Tempeh
- Soybeans (edamame)
- Lentils
- Seeds (hemp, flax, chia, etc.)
- Nuts (almonds, pistachios, cashews, etc.)
- Tofu
- Mushrooms
- Quinoa
- Broccoli
Plan Your Protein-Packed Meal
Another perk of plant-based proteins is their ability to play well with one another. In any single dish, you can include several of these options to double, triple, or quadruple up on your vegetarian protein sources!
To help get you started, we’ve put together a three-course meal using plant-based proteins:
Chickpea and lentil soup is a fantastic appetizer. This make-ahead dish tastes even better as leftovers and can be eaten hot, at room temperature, or even as a gazpacho.
For your main course, try quinoa stir fry. This dish gets meaty flavor from mushrooms and a hearty crunch from edamame and broccoli.
Dessert can have protein, too. No-bake pistachio chia seed pudding requires a bit of prep time for the homemade pistachio milk, but you can always substitute store-bought almond milk and add an extra handful or two of chopped pistachios instead.
All that’s left to do is enjoy this healthy, satisfying, and protein-packed meal!
