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The main dish, Mediterranean

Provençal tian with goat cheese

Provençal tian with goat cheese is a roasted summer vegetable dish, zucchini, tomatoes and eggplant, topped with melted goat cheese, for 6 people. It takes 25 minutes of active work, gets made in the morning and finishes in the oven right before serving, rated easy at €3.00 per person. The key is arranging the vegetable slices tightly so they roast together without releasing too much water.

My tian of roasted zucchini, tomatoes and eggplant, with melted goat cheese and thyme, pure summer sunshine on a plate.

Provençal tian with goat cheese
For
6 people
Work
25 min
Total time
1 h 30
Prep
Prepared the same day
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.00
Calories per person
280 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

This tian relies on the simplicity of summer vegetables, zucchini, tomatoes and eggplant sliced thin, packed tightly and roasted slowly in olive oil with thyme. The long cooking softens them and concentrates their juices into a soft, fragrant base, almost candied, which the goat cheese crowns as it melts gently on top.

It fits perfectly into a summer dinner with friends, served on a terrace, warm as a main dish with a green salad, or alongside grilled meat. It also works well for a lighter family meal, when you want a colorful dish that needs little attention once it's in the oven.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before Nothing to do
  2. The same day 3 steps, 1 h 35
  3. Before the guests arrive 1 step, 5 min
  4. When it's time to serve 2 steps, 10 min

Assemble and bake the tian in the morning, it can then sit at room temperature for several hours. Right before guests arrive, lay the goat cheese rounds on top. At serving time, pop it back in the oven or under the broiler for 10 minutes to melt the cheese, then bring the dish straight to the table with a drizzle of olive oil.

The ingredients

6 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Zucchini 700 g
  • Tomatoes 700 g
  • Eggplant 600 g
  • Onions 2
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Fresh thyme 6 sprigs

Dairy

  • Fresh goat cheese log 300 g

Pantry

  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 6 tbsp
  • Fine saltoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Lactose

The recipe, moment by moment

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Cook the sliced onions and garlic in a little olive oil until soft. 15 min

    They'll make a fragrant bed for the bottom of the dish.

  2. Spread the onions in a baking dish, then arrange the vegetables in thin slices, alternating and packed tightly. 20 min

    Alternate the colors, the dish will look even better.

  3. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, scatter with thyme and bake 1 hour at 180°C. 1 h

    Cover with foil for the first half hour so they steam gently.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Slice the goat cheese into rounds and lay them over the tian, then set aside at room temperature. 5 min

    The goat cheese goes on last so it doesn't dry out.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Put it back in the oven for 10 minutes, or under the broiler, until the goat cheese is melted and lightly golden. 10 min

    Watch closely, the cheese turns from golden to burnt fast.

  2. Serve warm or hot straight from the dish, with a drizzle of olive oil.

    The tian is even better warm, just a touch above room temperature.

Our tips to get it right

  • Cut all the vegetables to the same thickness, about 4 to 5 millimeters, so they cook at the same pace and none ends up raw or burnt.
  • Pat the tomato slices dry with paper towels before arranging them, the tian will release less water and hold together better when sliced.
  • Use a wide, shallow dish rather than a deep pot, more surface contact with the heat helps the edges caramelize.

The variations

  • Swap the fresh goat cheese for crumbled feta for a saltier note and a texture that stays firm when baked.
  • For a version without goat cheese, finish with a drizzle of olive oil and shaved parmesan instead, it stays just as satisfying.
  • For kids, blend some of the roasted vegetables with a little cream into a sauce and serve the tian as a milder side, leaving out the whole thyme sprigs.

What to serve it with

  • A green salad with lemon dressing
  • Grilled country bread
  • A chilled Provence rosé

Storage

The tian keeps for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Reheat it gently in the oven rather than the microwave, so the cheese melts again without turning rubbery. Freezing isn't recommended, the vegetables would release too much water once thawed.

Questions about this recipe

Can you use a different cheese instead of goat cheese?

Yes, feta, mozzarella or a sheep's milk cheese all work well in place of goat cheese. Pick one that melts or lightly browns to keep the gratin feel of the dish.

Do you need to peel the vegetables before slicing?

No, the skins on zucchini, tomatoes and eggplant add color and help the slices hold together while baking. Just wash them well before cutting.

How do you arrange the vegetables for a nice presentation?

Alternate the colors in overlapping rows, zucchini, tomato, eggplant, forming concentric circles if your dish is round. Pack the slices tightly, they stand up better and caramelize more.

Can you make this tian for more than 6 people?

Yes, just increase the vegetable and cheese quantities proportionally and use a larger dish or two dishes. The oven time stays about the same as long as the vegetable layer keeps the same thickness.

Can a Provençal tian with goat cheese be made ahead?

Yes, during the day. The recipe needs 25 min of work in total, split up like this, the same day, 3 steps, before the guests arrive, 1 step, when it's time to serve, 2 steps.

How long does it take to make a Provençal tian with goat cheese?

Allow 1 h 30 in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 25 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "easy".

How many calories are in a Provençal tian with goat cheese?

About 280 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a Provençal tian with goat cheese cost?

About €3.00 per person, that's €18.00 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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