The Best Eggplant – Leek Soup Ever!

 Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Lighter Fare, Soy Free, Vegan, Vegetarian  2 Responses »
Aug 242012
 
Eggplant Leek Soup recipe at the bottom!

 

_______________________________________
 
There were a few things about growing up in Massachusetts that I wouldn’t trade the world for.
 
Cape Cod
 
I got to bring my baby there back in 2009.  Yikes – my hair was not at its best that day, but my daughter sure looked psyched.
 
I think I was about 8 lbs heavier then than I am now
(thank you to my plant based diet and Mila!).
 The marsh – Sandwich Cape Cod that I used to jump off this bridge at high tide in the summers.
 
 
 My mom’s best friend Martha.
Mom, My daughter and Martha
 
After having tons of pregnancy problems prior to having my daughter, including a loss at 8 months pregnant with my first baby and two miscarriages, I made a “Vision Board”.  I pasted a photo of a healthy baby girl and a picture of a baby in Cape Cod.  I dreamed of bringing her back home to Cape Cod to visit.
 
Both came true!
 
 Martha got to meet her in 2009!
 
We flew up to visit when my daughter was 10 months old and stayed at her cottage on the Cape where she lives in the summer and in Louisiana in the winter.
 
 
 
Each morning while visiting I would push my daughter in her stroller on the short walk to the ocean in the cool morning air.  I love the weathered shingles, hydrangea and smell of the salty sea.
 

 

I’m so thankful for my best friend Jenny; she is the one of the only friends I keep in touch with, other than on facebook, from my childhood.
 
You  have already met her in this post, remember?  She came down for a visit in July.
 
 The house I grew up in. It looks WAY different.  Someone came in and bought it and made major renovations adding the front entryway there and the whole addition above the garage and we had a glorious garden off to the right.
 
It used to be “the white house with yellow shutters”.
Number 9……
The house I grew up in.
 
 ……and Jenny’s house was number 4, so we could run to each other’s house to play.
 
 I’ll admit I don’t miss the long, cold winters, but there were many memories I treasure and experiences I’m so thankful for.
 
 
It was Jenny that told me about this recipe. Martha makes it in huge batches and freezes it.
I can see why it’s Jenny’s favorite soup…..eggplant, garlic, onion, leeks and red wine give this soup a hearty texture and flavor but it’s actually super light!
 
I guestimated at the serving size but this makes a lot.
For those of you Mila lovers out there, this is PERFECT to stir Mila into. Simply stir 2 Tbsp into your bowl of warm soup.
What is Mila?
 
Mila is an organically grown, non-genetically modified blend of chia seed that is cold pressed and sliced to make it more bio-available. 
 
It is RAW, GLUTEN FREE, AND VEGAN, perfect for cooking and baking.
 
It is super high in OMEGA 3s – equal to 6 to 10 fish oil pills per serving.  
 
A single serving also has FIVE GRAMS OF FIBER, more antioxidants than blueberries, more iron than spinach and many more benefits.
 
This little seed has anti-inflammatory properties, is excellent for brain function, energy, elimination, sleep and the best part?  It’s a FOOD!
Eggplant Leek Soup
Inspired by my mom’s best friend Martha
Serves 8 – 10
Vegan, Gluten Free
 

Ingredients

2 Tbsp avocado oil, or oil of choice
1 large leek, chopped
1 bell pepper, seeded and chopped
3 onions sliced
2 lg. for 4 small eggplants diced, skin on
1Tbsp chopped garlic, (about 4 lg cloves)
1 can whole tomatoes, undrained
1 bay leaf
1/2 Tbsp salt, or to taste
1 dash red pepper flakes
2 Tbsp Earth Balance Butter
3/4 cup red wine
3 cans vegetable broth
1Tbsp fresh thyme or 2 tsp dried
Fresh ground pepper to taste
1 T cocoa power
Juice of 1 lemon

Optional
2 Tbsp Mila per serving

Directions

1. Preheat a pan over medium high heat.  Add 2 Tbsp oil; sauté leeks, onions, eggplants and bell pepper until softened, about 7 minutes; add garlic, saute an additional 2 minutes; add all ingredients except cocoa powder, Earth Balance butter and lemon juice; reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes to 1 hour. Add butter and cocoa powder; cook an additional 5 to 10 minutes; stir in lemon juice; purée until smooth.

Nutrition Facts
8 Servings
Amount Per Serving

Calories 162.4
Total Fat 6.8 g
Saturated Fat 1.5 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.5 g
Monounsaturated Fat 3.6 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 862.8 mg
Potassium 542.9 mg
Total Carbohydrate 21.6 g
Dietary Fiber 5.5 g
Sugars 3.4 g
Protein 3.0 g

Vitamin A 19.0 %
Vitamin B-12 0.0 %
Vitamin B-6 16.5 %
Vitamin C 44.7 %
Vitamin D 0.0 %
Vitamin E 3.0 %
Calcium 5.4 %
Copper 10.2 %
Folate 15.4 %
Iron 10.6 %
Magnesium 11.0 %
Manganese 31.5 %
Niacin 6.6 %
Pantothenic Acid 5.1 %
Phosphorus 7.3 %
Riboflavin 5.4 %
Selenium 2.0 %
Thiamin 9.0 %
Zinc 3.0 %
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.


With 2 Tbsp Mila
Calories 232
Fat 10g
Chol 0.0mg
Sodium 862.8mg
Fiber 10.5g
Protein 6g

Wine Down Wednesday – Sautéed Eggplant Caponata Salad (Camping Edition!)

 Dairy Free, Egg Free, Favorites, Gluten Free, Main Meal, Salad, Soy Free, Vegan, Vegetarian  No Responses »
Jun 132012
 
Welcome back to Wine Down Wednesday where I review a vegan dish paired with two different wines from Broadbent Selections.


This is the camping edition where I did the wine tasting along with my parents and my friend Justine while camping near Savannah last weekend.





Several years ago I made a caponata over spaghetti squash and have been meaning to recreate it because it’s one of my favorites.  Thankfully, I finally got around to it because everyone had a lot to say about it.  With the various flavors and textures it makes a delicious and interesting meal. 



To pair wines with a meatless dish we must look at the spices and main flavors of the recipe.  For this dish we combine spicy red pepper flakes, cinnamon, cocoa, fresh mint, balsamic reduction and tomato sauce. 


Spy Valley Riesling, 2011, New Zealand and Warwick Estate Pinotage, 2009, South Africa 

Spy Valley Riesling, 2011, New Zealand

Spy Valley wines are crafted by the Johnson Estate, a family owned winery located in Marlborough, New Zealand. It is one of the youngest wineries I have reviewed – founded in 1993. Overlooking the vines are two huge, white domes; this facility gathers information on satellite communications for the US and New Zealand – hence the name, Spy Valley.


I have reviewed the Sauvignon Blanc twice in the past; in fact, the first time I tried it at a Bite Club event I was solely a fan of red and wondered if their wine might turn me into a white wine lover! The second review was just as delicious – rated a YUM in a previous Wine Down Wednesday post.
The notes from the Spy Valley website state that this wine is fermented in steel tanks to give it  a citrusy floral flavor – intense lime, green apple and floral aromas. “The palate is vibrant and elegant with racy acid in a dry style.“ 
Warwick Estate Pinotage, 2009, South Africa
From 1791 through 1902 Warwick Wine Estate in South Africa was originally known as ‘De Goede Sukses’, the Good Success farm. It was later renamed Warwick after being purchased by Colonel Alexander Gordon of the Warwickshire regiment. In the 60′s the winery traded hands again when it was purchased by Norma Ratcliffe and her husband Stan. After initially selling the grapes wholesale to other wineries, Norma studied the art of winemaking and began producing her own wine in 1984.

I previously reviewed the Warwick, First Lady Cabernet with a rating of Damn that’s Good.  The Pinotage was by far the most interesting of the tastings I have done. See below on both our notes and the change with the pairing.


Here is the rating info.
Categories

Category #1 – How well my dish turned out.
Category #2 – How well I like the wine.
Category #3 – Pairing notes – How well this wine pairs with the dish.

Rating Scale

Bleck -This wine is pretty bad.
Ho Hum- I could drink it if I was at a football game and there was nothing else in the cooler.
Nice -Good table wine. I would keep this in the wine cooler if it was a good value.
Yum – This is good, I would pay a fair bit more and have it for a special occasion.
Damn that’s Good – Self explanatory.
** We will use the same terminology for how the dish turned out and how well it paired.

Category #1 The Dish

Me – rating of YUM. I LOVE the layers of flavors in this dish– spicy red pepper, aromatic herbs, sweet raisins, touch of salt, balsamic and tomato reduction.
Justine – rating of YUM. Justine enjoyed the balance of fresh mint, balsamic, sweet raisins and pine nuts. She thought there should be more sauce for the salad greens.
Mom – rating of nice. Mom thought it was too spicy, she isn’t a fan of heat, but liked the flavor and the meatiness of the eggplant.
Dad – rating of ho-hum. He thought it needed more salt. (I had left most of the salt out as my parents tend to dislike saltiness. It looks like that was a bad idea in this case.) Dad does not like the fresh mint and mix of cinnamon, sweet raisins and cocoa. He liked the pine nuts. He thought there should be more sauce for the salad greens.

Category #2 The Wines

Spy Valley Riesling

Me – rating of Damn that’s Good – I tasted fresh pear. It is light and drinkable. Perfect for a campout. I like the pear/lemon color.
Justine – rating of Damn that’s Good – Justine tasted bright citrus. She said it was very refreshing and wants to order two bottles.
Mom – rating of Damn that’s Good – Mom liked the clean and refreshing body. She liked the level of sweetness – semi dry.
Dad – rating of YUM – Dad gave a “Mmmm!” but then after a few sips thought it was a bit too sweet.

Warwick Pinotage

Me – rating of Nice. Wow the pinotage has a lot more body….chewy. Flavors of chocolate.  It definitely had a long finish.
Justine – rating of Nice. Tasted licorice and thought it had lots of body.
Mom – rating of Nice. Mom said she thought it was spicy and got drier and drier as the glass went on.
Dad – rating of Ho Hum. Dad thought it was heavy and thick. It left an aftertaste.

Category #3 The Pairing

Spy Valley Pairing

Me – rating of YUM. This one is refreshing with the heat of the spice.
Justine – rating of Damn that’s Good. Justine thought it brought out the sweetness of the raisins and loves sweetness.
Mom – rating of YUM. Mom thought it cooled down the spiciness.
Dad – rating of Ho Hum. Dad thought the semi-dry was too sweet with this dish.

Warwick Pairing

Me – rating of YUM – Damn that’s Good. This is crazy but the Warwick is AWESOME with the balsamic reduction and the meaty eggplant.
Justine – rating of Nice. Justine said she still liked the Spy Valley. This one was ok but still a bit heavy for her.
Mom – rating of YUM. Mom thought it was really interesting how well the spicy wine went with the dish and almost seemed to bring the spiciness of it down a notch.
Dad – rating of YUM – Damn that’s Good. Dad said the wine really paired well with the dish. It became more juicy than dry.
**I will note that we continued “tasting” this wine with the dish and ended up polishing it off.

Where to buy
All the wines will be for sale locally at the Grotto in San Marco. You can contact Mitch Woodlief, grottomitch@aol.com with questions and pricing and anyone outside the Greater Jacksonville area can contact E-MAIL: info@broadbent.com PHONE: US +1 415-931-1725.

Sautéed Eggplant Caponata Salad

Serves 4
Vegan, Gluten Free

Ingredients

Spice Mixture
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (less if you don’t like heat -can be omitted completely)
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp raw cacao powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp coarse salt

Sauce
1/8 cup Organic Tomato Pasta Sauce (for more sauce use 1/4 cup)
1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar (for more sauce use 1/2 cup)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil spray
1 small Vidalia onion, sliced
4 Japanese eggplant, sliced
2 Tbsp raisins
4 Tbsp (1/4 cup) pine nuts
1/4 cup Fresh Mint
1 head fresh romaine, chopped

Directions

1. Mix the spice mixture in a small bowl and set aside.  Mix the sauce mixture in a second small bowl, set aside.  Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and spray with cooking spray; sauté onion about five minutes, or until translucent. (You may need to deglaze pan a few times with some water, broth or white wine to prevent sticking.)

2. Add eggplant and raisins; sprinkle with seasoning mixture and toss well, sautéing about a minute; add sauce mixture, reduce heat and cover, cook 30-40 minutes, stirring every now and then, or until eggplant is soft and cooked through.

3. Divide romaine over four plates; top with 1/4 eggplant mixture, toss well.  Top with 1 tbsp pine nuts and sprinkle of fresh mint.

Nutrition Facts
4 Servings
Amount Per Serving

Calories 127.5
Total Fat 6.9 g
Saturated Fat 0.8 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 1.6 g
Cholesterol 0.6 mg
Sodium 385.1 mg
Potassium 291.1 mg
Total Carbohydrate 12.5 g
Dietary Fiber 2.4 g
Sugars 5.5 g
Protein 2.9 g

Vitamin A 33.2 %
Vitamin B-12 0.0 %
Vitamin B-6 4.0 %
Vitamin C 28.0 %
Vitamin D 0.0 %
Vitamin E 3.1 %
Calcium 4.3 %
Copper 8.4 %
Folate 21.4 %
Iron 10.2 %
Magnesium 7.5 %
Manganese 59.5 %
Niacin 3.8 %
Pantothenic Acid 1.5 %
Phosphorus 8.8 %
Riboflavin 5.1 %
Selenium 0.6 %
Thiamin 7.0 %
Zinc 5.2 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

What is Oxidative Stress and a Review of Cooking Light Falafel-Stuffed Eggplant withTahini Sauce and Tomato Relish

 Articles and Reading, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, High Protein, Main Meal, Soy Free, Vegan, Vegetarian  No Responses »
Jun 112012
 
KYV Eggplants, Heirloom Tomatos, Peppers and Cucumbers
Oxidative Stress is becoming a big buzzword nowadays – but what exactly is it?  Oxidative stress is the imbalance of our bodies oxidizing at a greater rate than its ability to detoxify. Something we’re all familiar with is the oxidation of an apple or avocado when we cut it – that is why the flesh turns brown when it comes in contact with the air.

What worsens the oxidative stress in our bodies is the presence of free radicals, according to Dr Weil, author of Healthy Aging: A Lifelong Guide to Your Physical and Spiritual Well-Being (Knopf, 2005), they are “electronically unstable atoms or molecules capable of stripping electrons from any other molecules they meet in an effort to achieve stability. In their wake they create even more unstable molecules that then attack their neighbors in domino-like chain reactions.

By the time a free radical chain fizzles out, it may have ripped through vital componentsof cells like a tornado, causing extensive damage, similar to that caused by ionizing radiation.“

What we eat, our lack of exercise, radiation and pollution all contribute to the presence of these free radicals. Studies show that this stress, in turn leads to a host of diseases such as Alzheimer’s to Lou Gherigs – the disease my grandfather had.
My grandfather was a testament to the power of REAL FOOD. Typically someone with ALS will live around five years. My grandmother, following a macrobiotic diet, kept him alive into his mid seventies-he was diagnosed in his 50s.
So what do we do about this? Eat antioxidants!

Antioxidants combat oxidative stress by neutralizing these free radicals and helping the body repair the damage.

A food that we all know contains lots of antioxidants is berries, top on the list at Mayo Clinic, along with sweet potatoes, oats, cinnamon and walnuts.

What has even more antioxidants than berries and the whole reason I’ve been doing more research?

Mila.  As I have been getting more and more questions and interest surrounding this food I have spent a significant amount of time doing the research on its benefits and how to incorporate it, deliciously, into our diets.
Try some for yourself! Click here.

In this month’s issue of Cooking Light there were several eggplant recipes that caught my eye as I had gotten two with my farm share. I love anything with tahini and beans so this sounded like the perfect recipe.  Instead of egg I used Mila to create the binding and add Omega 3s to a vegan dish.

Even though the ingredient list is long, I was not disappointed.  I loved the bean flavorful bean mixture inside the eggplant and the warm, nutty sauce on top.  The relish added a cool finish to the dish. Mixing raw and cooked ingredients creates lots of interesting textures. I definitely rate this one highly-next time I may even use the stuffing in another vegetable since it’s so versatile!

Vegan Falafel-Stuffed Eggplant withTahini Sauce and Tomato Relish

Serves 4
Vegan, Gluten Free
Printable Recipe

Ingredients


Tahini sauce:
3 tablespoons warm water
2 tablespoons tahini (roasted sesame seed paste)
4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon agave
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 garlic clove, minced

Eggplant:
2 eggplants (about 12 ounces or 340 grams each)
Cooking spray
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup fresh gluten free breadcrumbs (or regular)
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon tahini (roasted sesame seed paste)
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
2 Tbsp Mila + 6 Tbsp water (in place of two large eggs – feel free to use if you have those on hand or have a seed allergy and are not eating vegan).
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added pinto beans (chickpeas can also be used)

Relish:

1 cup chopped seeded tomato
1/2 cup chopped seeded peeled cucumber
1/2 cup vertically sliced red onion
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

1. To prepare sauce, combine first 6 ingredients in a small bowl, and stir with a whisk. Set aside.

2. Preheat oven to 475°.

3. To prepare eggplant, slice the eggplants in half lengthwise; score cut sides with a crosshatch pattern. Place the eggplant halves, cut sides down, on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 475° for 7 minutes or until slightly tender and browned. Remove from oven; carefully scoop out pulp, leaving a 3/4-inch shell. Reserve pulp for another use. Season cut sides with 1/4 teaspoon salt.

4. Combine remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, onion, and remaining ingredients (through pinto beans or
chickpeas) in a food processor; process until smooth. Spoon 1/2 cup pinto (or chickpea) mixture into each eggplant shell. Bake at 475° for 25 minutes or until eggplant halves are tender and pinto mixture is lightly browned.

5. To prepare relish, combine the tomato and remaining ingredients in a bowl; stir to combine.

6. Place 1 eggplant half on each of 4 plates. Top each half with 1/4 cup relish and 1 1/2 tablespoons sauce.

Nutrition Facts
4 Servings
Amount Per Serving

Calories 341.6
Total Fat 12.6 g
Saturated Fat 1.7 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.2 g
Monounsaturated Fat 5.8 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 712.8 mg
Potassium 1,070.8 mg
Total Carbohydrate 47.4 g
Dietary Fiber 16.8 g
Sugars 1.6 g
Protein 14.0 g
Vitamin A 16.3 %
Vitamin B-12 0.0 %
Vitamin B-6 19.8 %
Vitamin C 38.8 %
Vitamin D 0.0 %
Vitamin E 5.3 %
Calcium 13.3 %
Copper 29.6 %
Folate 61.9 %
Iron 28.5 %
Magnesium 28.4 %
Manganese 53.3 %
Niacin 11.3 %
Pantothenic Acid 9.2 %
Phosphorus 33.9 %
Riboflavin 13.4 %
Selenium 12.3 %
Thiamin 30.2 %
Zinc 14.0 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Roasted Eggplant Guacamole, a great way to use up that extra eggplant.

 Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Soy Free, Vegan, Vegetarian  No Responses »
Sep 042011
 
Happy Labor Day weekend!  I have just the appetizer for you.

Roasted Eggplant Guacamole

The idea for this came from my birthday dinner at a restaurant called Cantina Laredo where one of their appetizers is to make guacamole at your table. It’s so simple, but I am enchanted with fresh foods being prepared right in front of me at my table.


When I got home I wanted to do a guacamole remake but I only had one avocado and tons of eggplant.  A lovely friend at work brings in bags full of Japanese eggplant for me to roast up, just picked from her father in law’s garden.


This version came out great.  It isn’t as heavy or rich as traditional guacamole but has all the flavor and was a great way to use up the eggplant.

Roasted Eggplant Guacamole
Vegan, Gluten free
Ingredients

8 Japanese eggplant or 2 standard eggplant
1/2 avocado
Juice 1 lime
1 jalapeno pepper, minced
1/2 red onion, chopped
2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup quartered grape tomatoes
Salt and garlic powder, to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees; roast whole eggplant about 45 minutes to 1 hour or until eggplant is soft.  Let cool, cut off top and slice lengthwise.  Scrape out pulp with a spoon.

2. Place eggplant pulp, avocado, lime, salt and garlic powder in a high speed blender or food processor.  Blend until smooth.  Stir in jalapeno, onion, cilantro and tomatoes.  Re-season if necessary.
Nutrition Facts
1 Recipe
Amount Per Recipe
Calories 469.7
Total Fat 13.8 g
Saturated Fat 1.9 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.8 g
Monounsaturated Fat 8.5 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 171.7 mg
Potassium 793.4 mg
Total Carbohydrate 83.1 g
Dietary Fiber 33.3 g
Sugars 38.7 g
Protein 16.0 g

Vitamin A 14.8 %
Vitamin B-12 0.0 %
Vitamin B-6 23.8 %
Vitamin C 62.3 %
Vitamin D 0.0 %
Vitamin E 8.3 %
Calcium 3.7 %
Copper 13.9 %
Folate 28.2 %
Iron 6.6 %
Magnesium 11.5 %
Manganese 17.5 %
Niacin 12.2 %
Pantothenic Acid 16.1 %
Phosphorus 9.7 %
Riboflavin 11.2 %
Selenium 1.6 %
Thiamin 11.3 %
Zinc 5.8 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Simple Grilled Vegetable Dinner

 BPBD - Before Plant Based Diet  5 Responses »
Jul 152010
 

Here is the grilled veggie recipe I mentioned in my earlier post, 5 Answers for 5 Questions. Lately when I have had left over veggies and a bit of pasta sauce left in a jar I simply grill the veggies up, place them on a pan and pour the pasta sauce over.  I sprinkle a little goat cheese and back on the grill the pan goes to make for a perfect light dinner.

That way I can have some ice cream for dessert.

Simple Grilled Veggie Dinner

Ingredients

1 eggplant, sliced
1 zucchini, sliced lengthwise
1 yellow squash, sliced lengthwise
1 green pepper, seeded and cut in half
4 Campari tomatoes
Cooking spray
Coarse ground salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
Garlic powder
1/3 jar pasta sauce (or however much you like)
4 ounces goat cheese

Directions

1. Preheat grill to medium high. 

2. Spray vegetables with cooking spray and season with salt and pepper.

3.  Place vegetables on grill and cook for about 5 minutes per side.  Put grilled veggies on a baking pan and top with pasta sauce and goat cheese.  Return to grill for an additional 5 minutes.

Enjoy!

Fall Farmers Market Lunch with Fresh Basil and Mini Eggplant

 Salad, Six Ingredients or Less, Soy Free, Vegan, Vegetarian  No Responses »
Oct 252009
 

Remember those small purple eggplant from my last post that I bought from the St. Augustine Farmers Market? 

They transformed into the most amazing light lunch paired with some fresh organic basil I picked up there as well, a small amount of whole milk mozzarella and some roasted pumpkin seeds hot and crispy right out of the oven. 

This was an impromptu lunch so I am estimating the measurements…no matter…any amount of each ingredient you add in will be scrumptious. 

Fall Farmers Market Lunch

Fall Farmers Market Lunch

 Serves 1
Vegan, Gluten Free
Printable Recipe
Ingredients
 
1 small bunch of fresh basil
2 Campari tomatoes
6 mini eggplant (regular would be just as tasty)
1 ounce of fresh vegan mozzarella or cashew cheese
Palm full of freshly roasted, seasoned pumpkin seeds
Garlic salt and pepper to taste
Extra virgin olive oil spray
 
Directions
 
1. Preheat your grill or George Foreman Grill.
 
2. Slice the tops off the small eggplant and slice each in half lengthwise.  In a small bowl spray them with EVOO spray and sprinkle them with garlic salt and pepper.  Cut the tomatoes in half and scoop out the seeds.  Add the tomatoes to the same bowl and toss everything to coat.
 
3. Place the eggplants and tomato on the grill, cut side down, and close the lid.  Grill for about five to seven minutes.
 
4. While veggies are grilling, cut mozzarella into cubes and de-stem the basil leaves.
 
5.  In a small bowl add the roasted vegetables, basil and pumpkin seeds.  Gently mix.