It's no secret that I am a big fan of the Food network, and that I am easily influenced by what I see on T.V. I usually see something that looks good on the Food network and kind of tuck it away in my back pocket ready for when I want to try a new recipe. The something I've been wanting to try for the past month or so is Eggplant Parmesan. Bobby Flay did a throw down recently with an Eggplant Parmesan master, and ever since I saw that I've been wanting to have some. So Friday when Hallie and I were at Trader Joe's we decided to get some stuff to make a yummy Italian dinner this weekend. And since it was such a success I thought I'd share it with you, throw down style. Okay so it's not really a throw down, I just like to say that, and I didn't even fully make the Eggplant Parmesan myself since my good friend Joe had it already to go for me. All I had to do was brown it on each side in some olive oil, put it in a casserole dish with some of this yummy marinara sauce, sprinkle some mozzarella on top and bake it in the oven until golden brown. You should try it.
One of my all time favorite pasta toppings is Pesto. And my favorite recipe is also from a Food network chef, Rachael Ray. This I actually made myself. Only I didn't make it today, I pulled it right out of my freezer from the last time I made and froze a couple of batches. Don't you love being prepared? You should try this staple at our house, the kids love it on pasta or baguettes or on top of chicken. I like it so much I could practically eat it on ice cream. Not really. But it is that good, and that easy and freezes like a champ. Here's the recipe. Rachael's recipe uses parsley, but I do it with spinach because I feel more healthy that way, and it tastes so good.
To go along with our Eggplant Parmesan I bought another one of our Trader Joe's favorites, Bruschetta sauce (Italian salsa as my kids refer to it). We toasted up some sliced baguettes under the broiler and could have been satisfied with just this. But like I said, this dinner was a throw down so we needed some more food to go with it. To the pesto and quick.
One of my all time favorite pasta toppings is Pesto. And my favorite recipe is also from a Food network chef, Rachael Ray. This I actually made myself. Only I didn't make it today, I pulled it right out of my freezer from the last time I made and froze a couple of batches. Don't you love being prepared? You should try this staple at our house, the kids love it on pasta or baguettes or on top of chicken. I like it so much I could practically eat it on ice cream. Not really. But it is that good, and that easy and freezes like a champ. Here's the recipe. Rachael's recipe uses parsley, but I do it with spinach because I feel more healthy that way, and it tastes so good. Spinach Pesto
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves cracked garlic
2 cups fresh spinach leaves
1/2 cup walnut pieces
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
salt and pepper to taste
Blend all ingredients in a food processor (it would probably work in a blender as long as you have a really good one). I buy a big bag of spinach and make a couple of batches of this at once and freeze in airtight containers. Then when you want to use it just let it thaw and serve over your favorite warm pasta, or mix into Alfredo sauce for creamy pesto.
Also just a quick mention of these yummy Sugar Plum Tomatoes from Trader Joe's that Becky introduced me to. They are yummy, and I'm not a huge tomato type of gal, I usually like them sliced small in salads, but these are good enough to snack on. Now you have no excuses for dinner tonight, unless you live in Utah and have no Trader Joe's. In that case I am sorry to have tempted you. Maybe you should move to one of the 23 states that has one! (That was for you Ange). And one of these days I'm going to have an Unwrapped party where I have all the foods on hand for what they are showing and we can eat while we watch. Want to come? (I'm kind of a dork, you don't have to tell me, my husband already does it for you. But you know he'd be first in line for my party!)