I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful day- I know I am. I am looking forward to having a scrumptious dinner and listening to jazz with a great friend tonight! I will post pics and restaurant details later this weekend. As promised, here is the recipe and some info about the amazing dinner I made last night.
Most of the recipes I post on this site are and will be invented or adapted by my fantastic mother. She is the nicer, cuter, and generally more fabulous version of Martha Stewart... I am pretty sure all who know her would agree! She sent me a picture of her lunch 2 days ago, and I just knew I had to recreate the dish for PJ and I. I hope you all enjoy!
Eggplant Caponata
Caponata is an Italian relish; a version of the French ratatouille. It’s best served at room temp on pieces of toasted Italian bread, or next to a lovely grilled lamb chop. I think it would also be great on some warm whole-wheat pasta with a grating of lemon zest and some goat cheese or ricotta; or how about with some lightly scrambled eggs and feta cheese?
This is a recipe I make in the summer when I’ve got excess fresh produce from the farmers’ market, or in the winter with leftover vegetables in the fridge, shriveling away. It’s a great way to empty the fridge of bits and pieces of this and that. Here’s the basic recipe but this time, I added some leftover purchased bruschetta mix which had all the right ingredients (a combination of roasted red peppers, olives, tomato, capers) You could also add in summer or zucchini squash if you have some on hand. Get creative, and clean out that fridge! This recipe makes quite a bit of Caponata. It keeps well in the fridge for 5 days but also freezes perfectly. Simply thaw for snacks, dinner, or unexpected company hors-oeuvres.
1 medium globe eggplant, peeled in stripes, cubed (about 4 cups, raw)
1 onion chopped (or a bunch of scallions, if that’s what you’ve got)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pepper chopped (I had bits of leftover red, yellow, and green, so that’s what I
used)
2-4 chopped fresh tomatoes (I used a pint of halved cherry tomatoes. Could also use
canned diced tomatoes)
1 large rib celery, diced
½ cup green or kalamata olives, roughly chopped
2 Tablespoons capers
¼ cup raisins (didn’t have any so I used dried cranberries)
3 Tablespoons/squirts ketchup (or tomato paste, but why open a can?)
1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder (could use a bit of grated bittersweet
chocolate bar…it really adds depth of flavor!)
Kosher salt, pepper
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (opt)
Dried Thyme leaves (or fresh if you’re lucky enough to have some)
¼ cup (more or less to taste) white or red-wine vinegar
2 Tablespoons pine nuts, toasted (or whatever nut you have)
¼ cup roughly chopped fresh parsley
¼ cup roughly chopped fresh basil
Olive Oil
Toss cubed eggplant well with kosher salt and place in colander while you prepare the other ingredients.
In a 12” skillet, add 2-3 Tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and garlic and let cook for 3-5 minutes. Add the chopped peppers and celery and season with salt and pepper and a few shakes of dried thyme. Cook, stirring often, until beginning to brown, 10-15 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add ketchup, stirring until caramelized. Add fresh/canned tomatoes and cook an additional 10 minutes. Stir in olives, capers, cocoa, raisins, red pepper flakes, and vinegar; cook another 10 minutes or so, stirring occasionally until thickened. Transfer to large bowl.
Rinse eggplant in fresh water and squeeze the cubes in your hands to release any additional moisture (it’ll look weird, but will work fine)
Add another 2-3 Tablespoons olive oil to skillet over medium-high heat. Add squeezed eggplant, some black pepper (NO salt here) and toss. Cook until eggplant begins to brown (10-15 minutes). You may have to do this in two batches if you have a lot of eggplant.
Add the cooked eggplant to the bowl. Mix well. Add the chopped fresh parsley and basil and the pine nuts if using. Add additional seasoning if needed. Let cool to room temperature and enjoy.
Here is mine cooking away! It makes the whole house smell amazing!
I served my caponata over Quinoa pasta. It would be great with whole wheat or white pasta, too! I just love incorporating Quinoa into my cooking because it has so many health benefits.
I have to be honest, there was a day not too long ago that I couldn't imagine cooking myself a pasta dish for dinner. CARBS? Um, I don't think so. Well, guess what I did? Obsess about how badly I wanted the darn pasta. Now I enjoy a reasonable portion and I'm over it! Ahhhh..
Here is the finished product! Ta Da! This is PJ's dish. I threw in some chicken sausage for him as he doesn't consider anything a meal unless there is meat. Mine was meatless but looked pretty much the same. Yummers!
Ok, I have to run. I have attached a wonderful post written by chef Candice Kumai. Her blog is www.stilettochef.com (cutest name ever, right?). It is so well written, honest, and more importantly-true! Check it out :)
xo
Sarah
Here it is!!!!!
5 Ways to get Happy, like now.
Happiness is nothing but a state of mind. If you are not happy? Perhaps you just need to re-think that framework in your brain.
For years I have always pondered: Why they have it all? How did she get so lucky? How is it possible that everyone else found love by myself? Where is he? Why am I still struggling financially? Why am I still struggling to be happy and content with where I am at? I am so lonely, I am so sad, woe is me… Well, I’ve had to do some serious reassessing with my life and I am improving every day, one day at a time. I’d love to share a bit of my strategy with you…
1- Let go: Let go of bitterness, let go of jealously and let go of all the negative space in your heart. For if you are holding on to the negative, how can you allow sunshine into your life? Letting go will free you your soul and allow your heart to open and make space for new dreams and positive endeavors to come to life. I know many of us are looking for love, something that I find to be a not-so-successful part of my life, however I repeat this quote to myself daily: “If you are looking for the love of your life, stop; They will be waiting for you when you start doing the things you love.” In regards to finances: I once had another artist/friend tell me… “Candice, God must love us so much; although we are broke in the bank, we are so rich in character, how lucky are we?” I never forgot that. Thanks Shannon:)
2- Work out Daily, For Endorphins are FREE!: I have never been a fan of “happy pills” and I’m not bashing on meds here for there was a time; I have been there and done that. But did you know that moderate, daily exercise will give you the same endorphin release as any “happy pill”? I mean why not work-out for a killer, toned and slammin’ body and at the same time? I’m a huge fan of free endorphins, so get that ass into shape and do it because it makes you happy!
3- Laugh More: Hang out with that friend that cracks you up. Go watch “Coming to America”, “Napoleon Dynamite”, “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”, “Beverly Hills Cop” go through an old album from college or high school.. and look at the disgusting clothes we wore! Whatever you need to do.. just laugh more. Studies show that communities and social circles that get together and laugh, support and love one another on a weekly basis live longer healthier, happier lives. If you want more insight on life longevity and true, deep-rooted cultural happiness? Read this book: The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner.. will change the way you think and feel about the parallels between health and happiness.
4- Be More Mindful: Be more mindful of yourself and others. Don’t worry about the past, or what you think were “mistakes” or “failures.” They are not. They are simply life’s free lessons to shape and mold your heart, soul and beautiful mind. Live in the moment. Be there present @ work. Live to reach out to others and make a difference. Live to be free! Be thoughtful, mindful and at the end of the day, when you are by yourself: Pour a cup of tea, zone out and read a good book, lay down on your soft, comfy pillow and say… “Am I ok with who I am today? Am I fulfilling my life? What can I do to help improve my life?” Be mindful of you, your actions and live everyday in the moment.
5- Scream out: YOLO!: And do whatever the eff you want! Cause all those rappers are doin’ it.. and they look like they are having a heck of a good-ass-time! Remember the meaning behind the silly phrase: ” YOLO”: You only live once.” There is so much more behind YOLO than we can even fathom. You have one life to live! You won the lottery in life my friends! We live in a beautiful world at a beautiful (mostly) peaceful time. We are safe, happy, healthy and blessed. There’s nothing better to be happy about but living the life you’ve always dreamed of. If you don’t accomplish all of your dreams and goals in this lifetime.. then when will you?? When will you see ALL of those big dreams come to pass?? YOLO. Word up. + Get happy, like, ummm now.
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