Thursday, June 21, 2012

Eggplant, tomato & Feta



Cut an eggplant into round slices. Put on paper towel & salt. Let stand so some of the water comes out of the eggplant. Grill eggplant to brown on both sides in pan, season with salt/pepper. Spray baking dish with cooking spray & put grilled eggplant slices along the bottom of the pan.

In food processor, blend either basil or pesto with olive oil & a garlic clove. Spread this mixture onto eggplant. Top with sliced tomatoes. Sprinkle feta atop the eggplant/tomatoes, drizzle with olive oil & sprinkle with salt/pepper. Bake 350degrees until lightly browned. DELICIOUS on salad, as side dish, or on top of pasta. Refreshing, you could also garnish with basil strips.

I don't have the best camera to display how beautiful & delicious this was, but trust me, it was DELISH!!! Enjoy!

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Roast pork loin with delicious gravy

1 pork loin & season in fridge for a few hours with:

2 tbsp. soy sauce
2 tbsp. worcestershire sauce
2 cloves garlic chopped
1/3 cup olive oil
Squeeze of honey
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
Salt/pepper
Fresh chopped parsley

When ready to cook, Put olive oil in pan & brown on both sides. Reserve marinade on the side for later. Put in oven & roast 350 degree for 1 1/2 hours, or until cooked thoroughly. When done, remove from oven & let rest. In pan you browned meat, heat pan over med to medium high heat. Pour chicken broth in bottom to deglaze pan & pull up meat drippings. Add a few splashes of white wine. Season with salt & pepper & pour any additional pan drippings from oven roast into this mixture. Heat & wisk this mixture until blended. Add 2 tbsp. of butter & continue wisking. You can add a little cornstarch if you want a thicker gravy. I added 3 bacon strips crushes up to this. Pour this gravy mixture over the pork roast & serve!

Arugula salad with mango, avocado & macadamia nuts



Arugula
Macadamia nuts - chopped & toasted
1 Chopped avocado
1 chopped mango
1 tomato chopped
1/4 red onion chopped
1/2 cucumber peeled & chopped

Dressing:
1/2 cup olive oil
squeeze 1 lemon
salt/pepper
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic chopped
Few squirts of agave syrup

Mix up & enjoy! Fresh, light & healthy.

Monday, June 4, 2012

Colorful Pasta

3 Cloves Garlic
1/4 cup almonds
1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 roasted pepper
2 basil leaves
1/3 cup cream
10 cherry tomatoes (cup in half)
Handful of spinach
salt/pepper to taste

Boil pasta of your choice (penne) according to package instructions. In food processor grind together: garlic cloves, basil leaves, almonds (or pinenuts), roasted pepper. Cook vegetables in large pan with olive oil. When pasta is done, drain in colander & add to vegetable mixture, stir. Toss in spinach, add cream, stir. Toss in cherry tomatoes, spinach & season with salt & pepper, parmesan cheese. When serving, shred additional parmesan cheese over the top. You can serve with grilled chicken!