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| EGGPLANT CAVIAR: A HUMBLE YET TASTY STARTER DISH |
Eggplant in Italian style dishes has always been a favorite of mine, but it is hard to think out of this box with this vegetable. Its plain yet sometimes bitter flavor and its and stringy, seedy, watery texture beg to be hidden in melted cheese and mounds of cooked tomatoes with spices. It was hard to imagine how this dish would turn out.
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| WASHED AND READY FOR ROASTING |
While the eggplant roasted for at least 30 minutes, until shriveled, all the other ingredients were prepared. The fresh fresh herbs and cayenne pepper added a complex flavor and a bit of zip to this recipe. All ingredients except the diced tomatoes were added together and mixed with the gently mashed eggplant.
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| ALL OTHER INGREDIENTS EXCEPT DICED TOMATOES |
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| ROASTED AND SLICED IN HALF |
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| THE SOFT FLESH SLID OUT OF THE SKINS EFFORTLESSLY |
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| WHEN ALL INGREDIENTS WERE COMBINED, DICED TOMATOES TOPPED THIS DISH |
Everything came together quickly and easily...this is appreciated as I just returned back to town after being away for 12 days.
I found a Middle-Eastern flatbread at Trader Joe's which paired deliciously with this dish. After slicing the bread into wedges, they were topped with the Caviar and were ready for tasting. Number 1 Son and Hubby came through the door just as I was finishing this dish and they were hungry and happy to taste.
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| FLATBREAD FROM TRADER JOE'S WAS A PERFECT MATCH |
As fast as I topped the bread wedges with the caviar they disappeared. This dish would make a great appetizer or a healthy snack.
Number 1 Son really liked this starter and thought it would be a good snack to substitute on occasion for chips and salsa which is a usual for him.
Hubby also thought this eggplant caviar was tasty and he liked the idea that it is a healthy, low calorie snack. He was on his way to a meeting so he also liked the idea that this food would not be like a bomb in his stomach while he had to sit for a couple of hours, and it is not a heavy meal that will put him to sleep while he needs to pay attention after a long work day. I knew that I would not have many tasters tonight, so I halved the recipe. There are no leftovers and that is always a good sign that my cooking is enjoyed.
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| READY TO TASTE |
I was saying good-bye to my men and this is the view out my front door...does not get much better than tasty food and nature's beauty both enjoyed with family.
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| TONIGHT'S SUNSET |
We just need a beach to go with all the trees and sand.
Since I've been gone from blogging for a couple of weeks, I look forward to catching up on what I missed. We traveled away to help with my nephew's wedding/reception. My girls made the cake. I think it turned out great!
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| A CAKE FOR TAYLOR AND SUSIE |
Always good to be back home. I look forward to seeing what my cyber friends have been doing.
