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!

Temptation Thursday!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

"For each petal on the shamrock... this brings a wish your way. Good health, good luck, and happiness, for today and every day."
-Author Unknown

I am not a big corned beef and cabbage fan, so I decided NOT to share a recipe for that. Instead, I thought I would give you a recipe with a main ingredient that can be substituted with left over corned beef. Enjoy!

"Never iron a four-leaf clover, because you don't want to press your luck."
-Author Unknown


Brisket Hash

Ingredients:

* 2 Tbsp olive oil
* 2 cloves garlic, peeled, minced
* 3 cups Idaho potatoes, peeled, very finely chopped
* 1/2 cup carrots, peeled, finely chopped
* 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
* 1/2 cup sweet onion, peeled, finely chopped
* 3 cups beef brisket cooked & finely chopped
* 1 tsp. Tabasco sauce
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Your favorite toast

Equipment Needed:

* Large Ovenproof skillet

Directions:

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.) Heat skillet on medium high.
3.) Add oil and swirl to coat.
4.) Stir in garlic and potatoes, cook 3 min, until lightly browned.
5.) Add carrots, celery, and onion, cook 3 min.
6.) Mix in brisket and tabasco; cook, without stirring 5 min.
7.) Season to taste with salt and pepper.
8.) Place skillet in oven and bake 10 min, until lightly browned.
9.) Serve with toast.

"May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,
May good luck pursue you each morning and night."
-Irish Blessing


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

Mangia Monday!

"The greatest gift I ever had. Came from God; I call him Dad!"
~Author Unknown


Hello!

In honor of Father's Day, this weeks Mangia Monday is a collection of recipes for you to make the perfect dinner for Dad! Enjoy!

"Dad, you're someone to look up to no matter how tall I've grown."
-Author Unknown



Cracked Pepper Strip Steaks

Serves 4

Ingredients:

* 4 Strip Steaks (6 oz each)
* 2 Tbsp Cracked Pepper
* 3 Tbsp Olive Oil, divided

Directions:

1.) Preheat grill on high for 10 minutes.
2.) Clean grill with wire brush and coat grill grate lightly with vegetable oil.
3.) Sprinkle steaks generously with cracked pepper, pressing in with heel of hand.
4.) Drizzle steaks with olive oil (too much oil will cause flare-ups on grill).
5.) Reduce grill heat to medium-high.
6.) Sear steaks until color changes one-quarter of way up from bottom, 3-4 min.
7.) Turn over and sear other side, 2-3 min longer.
8.) Brush seared meat with remaining olive oil.
9.) Turn; brush again with olive oil.
10.) Reduce heat to medium; close lid.
11.) Cook to 5 degrees below desired internal temp, 8-10 min.
12.) Check by inserting digital thermometer halfway into thickest part of steak.
13.) Transfer steaks to clean platter; let stand 5-10 min.


"A father carries pictures where his money used to be."
Author Unknown



Spinach-Corn Salad with Citrus Soy Sauce

Serves 4

Ingredients:

* 1 pkg (8 oz) Cleaned and Cut Snow Peas
* 4 ears corn, shucked
* 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
* 1 pkg (6 oz) Baby Spinach
* 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
* 1 Tbsp Orange Juice
* 1 tsp Vegetable Oil
* 1 tsp Lime Juice
* 1 tsp Lemon Juice
* 1/2 tsp Honey
* 1/4 tsp Ginger
* 1/4 tsp Garlic
* Kosher Salt Black Pepper to taste

Directions:

1.) Preheat grill on high for 10 min.
2.) Microwave snow peas per package directions.
3.) Transfer peas to bowl of ice water.
4.) Drain peas, then slice thinly. Set aside.
5.) Drizzle corn lightly with olive oil (too much oil can cause flare-ups).
6.) Reduce heat to medium-high and grill 8-10 min, turning frequently.
7.) Remove from grill and set aside until cool enough to handle.
8.) Cut kernels from cobs.
9.) Gently toss corn, peas, spinach, and remaining ingredients in bowl.


"Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father!"
-Lydia M. Child



Grilled Yam Slices

Serves 4

Ingredients:

* 4 medium (about 2 1/4 lbs) yams, ends trimmed
* 2 Tbsp Olive Oil

Directions:

1.) Preheat grill on medium for 10 minutes.
2.) Slice yams into wedges and baste with olive oil.
3.) Grill for 15 minutes or until tender, turning occasionally.


"Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope."
-Bill Cosby


Silly Joke of the Day:

This morning my dad gave me soap flakes instead of corn flakes for breakfast.
I bet you were mad. Mad? I was foaming at the mouth!


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