Tasty Tuesday

"How can people say they don't eat eggplant when God loves the color and the French love the name? I don't understand."
-Jeff Smith

Hello! Today I wanted to share a low-calorie recipe with you - it is still very filling and satisfying, no worries! Serve it as a main dish or a side for a large get together and Enjoy!

(P.S. I am allergic to eggplant, but when I really want this dish I soak the eggplant in milk overnight and it becomes edible.)


“I doubt that the imagination can be suppressed. If you truly eradicated it in a child, he would grow up to be an eggplant.”
-Ursula K. LeGuin


Eggplant Parmesan

Ingredients:

* 3 cups tomato sauce, divided
* 2 medium eggplants, trimmed, sliced in 1/2-inch rounds
* 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
* 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
* 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated, divided
* Fresh black pepper to taste
* 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated


Equipment Needed:

* Small roasting pan
* Non-stick cooking spray
* Foil

Directions:

1.) Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2.) Spray bottom and sides of pan with non-stick spray.
3.) Spread 1 1/2 cups of sauce on bottom of roasting pan.
4.) Top with overlapping layers of eggplant slices.
5.) Drizzle eggplant with olive oil.
6.) Top eggplant with an even layer of bread crumbs.
7.) Sprinkle with half the grated cheese.
8.) Season to taste with black pepper.
9.) Top with remaining sauce and remaining grated cheese.
10.) Bake, covered, 40 min or until eggplant is tender.
11.) Remove from oven and spread mozzarella cheese over the top.
12.) Return to oven, uncovered, 2-3 min, until cheese melts.
13.) Let rest 15 min before serving.


“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
-J.R.R. Tolkien

Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

Mangia Monday!

"The first zucchini I ever saw I killed it with a hoe."
-John Gould

Hello! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Mine was busy, but it was beautiful outside, so no complaints!

The recipe I have for you today is easy to make and if you are anything like me, you have PLENTY of zucchini to go around all summer long! This is great for a large party or simple get together - everyone is sure to enjoy!

“Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie."
-Jim Davis


Zucchini & Mozzarella Bites

Ingredients:

* 2 small zucchini, sliced in 1/3-inch rounds
* 3 1/2 oz mozzarella cheese ball, cubed into 3/4-inch sections
* 1/4 cup olive tapenade (available in jars from your grocery store)
* 1/4 cup basil pesto (available in jars from your grocery store)
* 1/4 cup roasted tomatoes, diced
* 3 Tbsp pine nuts, toasted

Directions:

1.) Blanch zucchini slices for 45 seconds in large pot of boiling salted water.
2.) Drain and transfer to bowl of ice water.
3.) Drain again, lay on paper towels and pat dry.
4.) Place zucchini slices on serving platter and top each zucchini with a piece of mozzarella cheese.
5.) Top cheese with small dollop of tapenade, pesto or roasted tomato.
6.) Garnish with 3-4 pine nuts.

Note:

You can microwave the zucchini slices instead of blanching. Cover a single layer of zucchini with plastic wrap and microwave for 45 seconds, then transfer to bowl of ice water and proceed with recipe.


Silly Joke of the Day:

What is a zucchini’s favorite game?
.................Squash!

Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!