About Me and This Blog

I've been a vegetarian for almost six years now. For the first four years, I was a pescetarian (I ate fish). These days, I lean towards veganism and am very passionate about animal rights and welfare. Before going veg, I ate A LOT of meat. In fact, I had a bumper sticker on my first car that read "If we're not supposed to eat animals, then why do they taste so good?" Yeah, I was that person. I loved cooking meat, now I love cooking vegetarian EVEN MORE.

I post a lot of stories about animals and veggie food on facebook, and friends started asking me for recipes and more information on how to be a healthy vegetarian. This blog is my answer to those questions. Most if not all of the recipes can be made vegan by omitting cheese or subbing with vegan "cheese". Email me anytime.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Balsamic Eggplant Parmesan

6 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
3 tbsp. olive oil
1.5 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar, divided
1 tsp. oregano
3/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 large eggplant (1 1/2 lb.), cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices (a mandolin makes quick work of this)
1 cup chopped onions
1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic
4 Tbsp dry white wine, divided
1 can (14 1/2 or 16 oz.) stewed tomatoes
1 cup seeded, chopped tomato
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Shredded mozzarella cheese, enough to cover two layers (I use a whole brick)
Parmesan cheese, shredded (1 cup+)

Preheat oven to 400*F. Combine vinegar, 1 tablespoon of the oil, 1/2 teaspoon each salt and sugar, the oregano and pepper in bowl. Coat large cookie sheet with vegetable cooking spray. Brush both sides of eggplant with vinegar mixture and arrange in single layer on cookie sheet. Bake 15 minutes per side or until fork-tender. Combine onions, garlic, 1 teaspoon oil and 2 tablespoons wine in large nonstick skillet; cook, stirring, over medium-high heat until onions are soft, 5 minutes. Stir in stewed tomatoes with their liquid, chopped tomato, basil, remaining 2 tablespoons wine, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon sugar. Bring to boil over high heat; reduce heat and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally to break up tomatoes, 10 minutes. Spoon one third of the sauce into shallow 2-quart baking dish. Arrange half the eggplant over sauce. Spoon half the remaining sauce over eggplant. Sprinkle with 2/3 cup mozzarella and shred parmesan - enough to cover mozz. Top with remaining eggplant, sauce and mozzarella and more Parmesan. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. Bake uncovered 15 to 20 minutes more, until bubbly. Let stand 15 minutes before serving for easier cutting.
This one doesn't have a ton of protein but it's yummy :)

Update June 3/11. OMG I SUCK.  Made this last night, adjusting ingredients for a long casserole dish, and it was great. Made garlic bread and an amazing salad to go along with it and by the time it was ready, I and my three guests gobbled it up before I even REMEMBERED to take a picture of our awesome meal.  One of my guests, we'll call him "C", was kind enough to say last night that until he started eating with us (we've been eating together almost every Thursday for going on 6 months now), he never thought vegetarian food could be satisfying and so delicious.  It did my heart good to hear :)

Anyway, I FINALLY remembered to take a picture of what was left as I put away the two remaining slices for our lunches - please excuse the photo. Combined with the bread and salad, it truly was an exquisite meal:

For the record, I blame my not taking a proper picture/forgetting on extreme hunger, deliciousness, and two bottles of this:
$14 bucks at your local LDB and SO good :)

1 comment:

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.