Balsamic Eggplant, Corn on the Cob and Spinach Salad

With the end of summer drawing nearer, we like to take advantage of Farmer's Markets.  The freshness of foods offered are enough to inspire even the most apathetic of cooks to don the chefs hat and prepare a meal to awaken the senses.  The bonus of this meal is that it's easier than you think and allows you to use up leftovers.


Balsamic Eggplant
Serves 6

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp. olive oil
2 small eggplants
sea salt
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 organic red bell pepper, seeded and sliced thin
1/4 c fresh basil, chopped
1 Tbsp. fresh thyme, chopped
1/4 c balsamic vinegar
black pepper to taste

Directions:
1.  Line cookie sheet with parchment paper, set aside.
2.  Wash eggplant, cut off stem and 1/4 inch on bottom.  Slice eggplant into 1/2 inch rounds and place on cookie sheet.
3.  Generously sprinkle sea salt over each round, flip and salt the other side.  Allow salt to breakdown eggplant for at least 15 minutes.  Prepare other parts of your meal during this time.
4.  After eggplant has sat, brush off excess salt, wipe down cookie sheet, set aside.
5.  Preheat oven to 200.  
6.  Place large skillet over medium high heat and add oil, heat for about a minute.
7.  Add eggplant and cover with lid.  Heat for about 5 minutes or until underside is browning.
8.  Flip eggplants to cook other side, then add onions, garlic and red peppers, cover and cook another 5 minutes.  Reduce heat if cooking too fast.
9.  Remove lid, gently stir onion, garlic and peppers, remove from heat and add balsamic vinegar and fresh herbs.  Season with pepper if desired.
10.  Transfer to cookie sheet, place in oven to keep warm until remainder of dinner is finished.


Corn on the Cob
Serves 4-8

Ingredients:
1 c water
8 ears of corn, husks & silk removed

Directions:
1.  Place water in large stem pot and place pot over high heat.  
2.  Place corn in stem basket and place inside pot, cover with lid.
3.  Heat for 10-15 minutes.  Remove from heat and serve.

Tip = quick way to prepare corn, butter a piece of bread then slide corn around in bread.


Spinach Salad
Serves 6

Ingredients:
4 c organic spinach, washed and chopped
2 organic carrots, peeled and shredded
1 cucumber, peeled and chopped
10 cherry tomatoes, sliced
Leftover beans, quinoa, lentils, whatever is in the fridge

Directions:
1.  Place all ingredients in large bowl, toss and serve.

This meal will be on your plate's and ready to eat in 45 minutes or less and your taste buds will thank you.

French Toast With Fruit Salsa

I guess I'm still in a breakfast mood so I felt inspired to share another breakfast recipe.  I just can't help myself, breakfast food is oh so yummy!


French Toast

Ingredients:
6 slices bread of choice (the firmer the better)
1 c. non-dairy milk of choice
2 tsp. cinnamon (separated)
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 Tbsp. coconut sugar
grape seed oil

Directions:
1.  Preheat griddle over medium high heat.
2.  In a shallow bowl mix milk, 1 tsp. cinnamon and vanilla.  Whisk well to get the cinnamon incorporated.
3.  In another small bowl combine sugar and other 1 tsp. of cinnamon.  Whisk to combine.
4.  Brush griddle with grape seed oil.
5.  Dip bread into milk mixture, both sides should be wet.  Don't allow it to sit in the mixture or bread will be soggy.
6.  Dip each side into the cinnamon sugar mixture.
7.  Place on griddle, continue until all bread has been used.  Allow to heat for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden.
8.  Remove from heat and serve.

*Serve with fruit salsa, pure maple syrup, coconut sugar, chopped nuts, whatever you're in the mood for.

Fruit Salsa

Ingredients:
1 c. organic strawberries (frozen or fresh)
1 large orange (peeled)
1/2 c. pineapple
2 Tbsp. pure orange juice

Directions:
1.  Place all ingredients into food processor and pulse, allowing fruit to remain chunky.
2.  If you want more of a puree then process longer.

Tip = you can use fruit salsa on french toast, waffles, pancakes, mixed into non-dairy cream cheese, on cinnamon/sugar tortilla chips, in crepes, mixed in quinoa, oatmeal, the possibilities are endless.

Feel free to share your ideas!

Crock Pot Tofu Scramble

With our schedules being so busy it's nice to start the day by having breakfast ready and waiting when you wake up.  Although the weather hasn't tapered off, sometimes having warm comforting foods is just what is needed to set a positive tone for the remainder of the day.  Crock Pot recipes aren't only for fall or winter and they aren't just for soups, chili's or stews.  You can make any recipe imaginable using the crock pot and it allows for a wholesome meal while freeing up your time.

Crock Pot Tofu Scramble

Ingredients:
1 package extra firm tofu, drained and crumbled
1/4 c. water
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. onion powder
1/2 organic bell pepper, chopped
1 Tbsp. nutritional yeast
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. turmeric
1/4 tsp. thyme
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 c. nondairy cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions:
At night, before going to bed, lightly spray crock pot with oil.  Combine all ingredients except cheese and gently stir to mix spices throughout.  Set crock pot on low and cook for 8 hours.  When you wake up, drain excess water, add cheese and replace lid for a minute, this will allow for the cheese to melt.  Gently stir mixture and serve.  Serves 3-4

* You can get creative and add tomatoes, beans or faux meats.  These would be added the night before along with all that other ingredients.

Coffee with Del

Daily routines are something most people are accustomed to.  Sometimes it is simply waking up and having the same breakfast every morning.  Each of us can recall those sacred things that make us feel complete and our days more "normal".

For me, one of my typical morning routines happens to be having coffee with one of the stray cats that have claimed us to be their family.  Taking my cup of coffee outside, I am greeted with a warm meow and gentle rub against my legs from Del.  As I sit on the porch, I swear she is talking to me, as she takes her place beside me.  It is in this moment, of what has become our routine, that I am truly happy.  Enjoying each other's company she often looks at me, giving her occasional meow, which I believe is her nod of approval to the conversation we are having.  To me, this is peacefulness and the perfect way to start my day, having coffee with a friend.





*Please note...
For anyone wanting to add comments, you no longer have to be a member to add comments.  Simply click the no comment link, a comment box will appear.  Add your comment, pick the anonymous profile and then hit the publish tab.  Your comments are greatly appreciated and I would love to hear your take or renditions of recipes that I have posted.