Eggplants in Bloom
August 20th, 2008
I started some eggplant seeds this year. They are finicky plants for sure. Mine languished in the cool of the spring and finally took hold. I noticed the other day that it’s blooming. What beautiful blooms it has. Mr Chiot’s and I don’t really like eggplant, but we eat some at least once a year, I figured I would try to grow some this year (perhaps we’ll like it more).
Anyone out there have a good eggplant recipe for non-eggplant lovers? I’m thinking veggie lasagne.
Wow…those photos are awesome. Really beautiful!
to Joe's comment
Thanks, amazing what a $200 Sony point & shoot will do for you with a macro lens! I love the eggplant flowers. I’ve never grown eggplant before so I had no idea. The plants are neat too, they have huge fuzzy leaves. They’ll be beautiful with the fruit on them!
to Susy's comment
We have two eggplant recipes that we enjoy. In the winter, we do eggplant napoleons ala GCC (stole the recipe!) It’s breaded and pan fried in EVOO and then topped with roasted peppers, onions, and portobello mushrooms. Then you melt boursin and mozzarella cheese on top and serve it in a pool of fresh marinara sauce. Tasty!
**********
Second, our new favorite for the summer is a grilled eggplant stacker. You take slices of red onion and eggplant, brush them in EVOO and then add S&P. Grill the onion for 6 minutes, then flip. Do the eggplant for 3 minutes each side and then on the last minute, add some brie on the top.
Slice up red and yellow tomatoes and shred a little basil.
Make the basil dressing (this is the official recipe, I always 1/2 it and eyeball)
1/2 c fresh basil
1/4 C white wine vinegar
1 1/2 tsp sugar
1/8 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Place in blender or food processor and slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup EVOO.
You then stack: eggplant, red tomato, yellow tomato, onion, eggplant. drizzle with dressing and throw on shredded basil. TASTY!!
*********
I’ve run out of time, but I have two other great vegetable recipes to share…
to Meghan O's comment
Those recipes sound delicious, Thanks Megan. We’ll have to try them. I think my Cooking Light had an eggplant stacker recipe last summer.
to Susy's comment