Incredible New Recipe

I found an incredible and incredibly easy recipe on line that will be very handy this summer. MARINATED EGGPLANT WITH CAPERS AND MINT!

Take three Japanese Eggplants (or more, depending on size) cut off ends then cut into 2 1/2 inch lengths.  Halve each length long way through the middle, then slice each half into three or four wedges. The idea is to get a uniform size. I got three wedges out of the skinnier end and four out of the fatter end for each half.   Place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper, coat wedges with olive oil and place skin side down on sheet. Sprinkle with Sea Salt and Black Pepper.  Roast in oven at 390 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Edges should be toasting and wedges soft to the touch.

While they roast make the marinade.  Start with 1/4 cup chopped mint leaves, add 3 Tablespoons good olive oil, 2 Tablespoons of good Balsamic Vinegar (I used Stonehouse), and 2 Heaping Tablespoons of small capers, rinsed.  Stir well, let sit, then taste. I thought it needed some "sparkle" so added a Tablespoon or more of red wine vinegar, though you could also use lemon juice.

When eggplant wedges are done, put in a bowl and pour marinade over.  Mix being careful not to mush the eggplant.  Cover, marinate at room temp at least 20 minutes. Can be made a day before if refrigerated, but allow to come to room temp before serving.

Not off to a good start

Well, it's been an eventful month, except in the keeping the resolution to post a photo a week.  Failed miserably on that one.  Posting 3 now seems like writing a daily reflection journal in one sitting on the evening before it is due. I don't offer these in that spirit, simply as a way of saying I have been doing some photography in the midst of things like walking the dogs, going on retreat, and announcing my retirement effective July 1!  That last one is especially exhilarating. I'm looking forward to having a blank canvass on which to create what comes next in my life.

All the photos below were created with my iPhone and processed with various apps.  Some were done with Camera+, a nifty little camera app.  Others just straight.  Enjoy.

               

Well, certainly failed on 2011 Resolution

While I did make a couple of dishes, I didn't learn to cook in the Vietnamese/Thai palette during the past year.

I also notice that I failed miserably at blogging. Hat's off to all my blogging friends that do blog.

I've noticed a number of photo friends who are undertaking a 365 project (or in this year a 366 project)--Post a new photo a day for a year!  I'd love to take that on, and probably will someday, but until then I'm making myself a 52 Project Challenge:  Take and post one photo per week for 2012.

So to start things off, here's a new photo taken just yesterday. Yes, the sky in South Texas is gorgeous right now, and the light is incredible with almost the texture of New Mexican light.  Enjoy.

2011

I normally don't do New Year's Resolutions, but this year I have one.  I want to learn to cook a few simple Thai and Vietnamese (or dishes out of that flavor palette), during the coming year. I have tried in years past and failed--one year a Pad Thai I made was turned down even by a Golden Retriever who would eat anything, including a lattice work fence!  But surely a Pho, or simple noodle dish, is attainable. Something lite, healthy, tasty and quick.

Hold me to it.

New Cookbook

I was given a new cookbook this week. It is a wonderful collection of recipes and incredible photography.

Nothing better than a gustatorial and visual feast at the same time!

 

It has been a long time since I posted. Far too long.

Today I picked Jalapenos, Serranos, and a lone Hungarian pepper from our garden. This is not the end of them either!  The jalapenos and serranos are still blooming and producing, and it is November.

There are also a few tomatoes from the summer's plants!  Incredible year.

Now, what to make with this?

New Recipe

Chicken a la Fez  (courtesy of The Splendid Table) and Grilled Eggplant with garlic and rosemary (from Mediterranean Lite cookbook).  It was delicious!

The tomatoes with lemon basil were from our garden, as was the parsley and mint that the chicken was marinated in and the rosemary that the eggplants were seasoned with.  So light, delicious, adaptable, flexible. Served with a Nan bread we tossed on the grill to warm.

So good we're eating it again tonight!

Fresh Vegetables

The summer has been a good one for gardens in Texas.  Here's todays harvest of potatoes and an expectant look on a melon soon to be ready.

First Monday of Easter

Last night we went to Tre Trattoria to celebrate completion of Holy Week and celebration of Easter.  Glorious meal and setting.  Grilled asparagus, braceola, roasted golden beets, bruschetta, good vino.  Our priest friend Matt and I split an order of Linguini with Clams, and it was the best I've ever eaten. Just the right balance between the salty bite of the clams, the creaminess of the sauce, and hot pepper!  We need to go back soon.