Eggplant Caponata

Eggplant Caponata

This is a dish I cooked back when it was still warm outside and I wasn't eating every meal on my back deck, or on the way to a Spring sporting event.  But now that my garden is beginning to bloom, I thought it was time to share a recipe that I would be happy to make again when I have my own fresh eggplant, tomatoes and herbs to work with.  I like to think of this dish as an Italian version of  a Mexican mole because of the use of cocoa powder.  And of course anything made with chocolate is a favorite of mine!  I also like how versatile it is because not only can it be served hot over pasta, like I did here, but it is also great room temperature and would make a fantastic appetizer on crusty bread while sitting out on my deck this summer as well.  It doesn't take very long to cook, is full of intense flavor, nutritious vegetables, herbs and spices. So try something a little adventurous the next time you are entertaining and incorporate cocoa into the main meal as well as dessert!

Baked Mini Eggplant Parmesan

Baked Mini Eggplant Parmesan

Everybody has heard of Eggplant Parmesan, and of course the typical Italian restaurant version is almost always delicious, with thick layers of breaded and deep fried eggplant surrounded by rich tomato sauce and pounds of cheese.  Unfortunately, in versions like that, not only is the nutritional value of the amazing eggplant lost under piles of fat, the flavor is often hidden as well.  This recipe brings the rich flavor of the vegetables back to the forefront and is more like a cross between the traditional baked version and a caprese salad.  I purposefully left the amount of olive oil in the recipe vague because it all depends for me on how much the eggplant slices absorb, how greasy I want them to be and since I usually just pour it on the pan and then add a little more or leave a little extra unused, I never know for sure how much it actually is in the end.  And this way you can use as little or as much as you want.  You could probably also use a good olive oil spray instead if you are really watching your calories and I guarantee it would still taste just as amazing.  However my favorite part about this recipe is that I used mini eggplant, very small and skinny ones, so it would be perfect as an appetizer or a passed hors d'oeuvre.  I just thought they were cute and really fun to eat, and it tasted especially great with a side of whole wheat toast topped with Radish and Carrot Greens Pesto.