Well known in some cultures as a prepared dish with layered ingredients, the tian can be thought of as a casserole with a specific arrangement of components. From this perspective, a tian can be a hot or a cold dish. Here are some examples of the tian, and how to make a simple onion tian.

Tians may be composed of all sorts of ingredients. A simple vegetable tian allows various types of vegetables to be arranged in layers, with each successive layer complimenting the taste of the previous layer. One excellent example of a cold vegetable tian would be the popular seven-layer salad. Beginning with a layer of lettuce on the bottom and then building up to a final dressing topping with bacon bits, the seven layer salad provides both a visual impact as well as being delicious.

Tians also can be composed of layers of edibles that are baked or cooked in some manner. For example, a dessert tian could be constructed with of successive layers of cake, fudge, whipped cream, and some sort of topping, such as chocolate slivers or shaved almonds.

It is possible to include meat in a tian as well. Simply cook the meat thoroughly before adding to the dish. For example, crumbled hamburger makes an ideal ingredient for a tian that includes potatoes and green beans that are coated with a mushroom sauce. Chunks of diced chicken or turkey could also be used to great effect.

An onion tian is a popular French dish that requires a few simple ingredients and a casserole dish. Many choose to use a clear dish, so that the beauty of the layers can be enjoyed along with the taste. A traditional onion tian is made with yellow beans, diced zucchini and green beans. Each of these three vegetables are cooked and layered in the dish, along with a layer of sautéed onions. The onions may be white, yellow, red, or purple. In most cases, the more colorful the onions, the more attractive the appearance of the finished tian. For a topping, French fried onions or a simple breadcrumb layer works very well. From the sides, the colors of the beans and green vegetables are accentuated by the translucent nature of the onions.

Tians are usually simple to make and prepare. With both plenty of flavor and visual appeal, a tian is the ideal way to dress up a meal while still keeping mealtime fun and casual.