Eggplant Lasagna

1 eggplant
2 tbsp bread crumbs
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup firm tofu
baby spinach
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp salt
dash basil

preheat the oven at 350 degrees

1. Peel and slice the eggplant lengthwise in large wide strips, about a 1/4 inch thick.

2. Coat each slice with olive oil and then pat with bread crumbs.

3. Lay out the strips in a baking dish, overlapping slightly and put in the oven. Check and turn often to prevent burning.

4. Crumble tofu to resemble ricotta cheese. Add salt and basil.

5. Mince and saute garlic over medium high heat in a small amount of olive oil. Add the seasoned tofu and stir constantly until heated.

6. Heat tomato sauce over medium heat.

7. When eggplant is tender remove from oven.

8. Place one slice of breaded eggplant on the plate. Spoon on tomato sauce. Add small amount of tofu. Add a layer of baby spinach. Repeat until three layers are complete. Top with tomato sauce.

It was pretty good, greatly recommended for lasagna lovers who for whatever reason can not have pasta. The eggplant has a great flavor and adds a lot to the dish. I am somewhat torn about the tofu. I think it added to the look of the dish, however did not add too much to the taste. Was a perfect match for ricotta consistency wise, however I could probably have done better at replicating the cheese's flavor.

More recipes soonly coming!

I will be making some recipes this weekend, I promise! :D Lately I've been having fresh fruit and veggie dinners. Night before last was figs, strawberries, celery, blueberries, and grape tomatoes...last night was cucumber slices and peanuts. I think the night three days ago was plain rice. : / I do have some ingredients however and some fab ideas. :D

Which looks better, gloppy pot pie or lovely fruits and veg? haha, ignore the feets.

Protien Rich Dinner Salad

Ingredients:
Dark green salad mix of your choice, I used an herb salad blend with baby spinach, red romaine, arugula and others.
1/4 can purple hulled peas, washed
1/4th cup peanuts
3 club crackers, crumbled
1 tbsp Italian dressing

Assembly:
Lay out salad, tear into small pieces if desired.
Add peas evenly.
Sprinkle on peanuts.
Crush crackers over the salad and sprinkle on.
Add dressing.

Very very awesome meal. 300-350 calories, lots of nutrients. Of course more veggies would have been nice, but it's what I had. :)

Almost Pancakes

Ingredients:
3 fresh Corn Tortillas
4 Strawberries, sliced
2-3 tsp honey

Assembly:
1. Heat tortillas in the oven until soft and pliable
2. Place one tortilla on plate and add 1/3 of the honey, repeat for all.
3. Top with strawberry slices

Verdict:

Was tasty and I was full before I finished. I found myself longing for coolwhip, but you can't beat it with a stick for 200 calories. XD I think hotter and fresher on the tortillas would have made this pretty awesome.

Rainbow Chili

Ingredients:
1 cup vegetable broth
1 can kidney beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can corn of choice
1 can diced tomatoes
1 zucchini, sliced
Dash of garlic powder
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp Lawry's seasoning salt
1/4th tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp cornstarch
Pinch of dried basil
Assembly:

1. In a large sauce pot over medium heat, combine rinsed, drained beans, drained corn, vegetable broth (reserving a 1/4 cup for later), drained tomatoes, and sliced zucchini.
2. Add garlic powder, seasoning, chili powder, basil, and cayenne.
3. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cover. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes.
   
4. Whisk cornstarch and reserved vegetable broth together and add to pot. Stir until fully incorporated.
   

Presentation:

I just served it in bowls along with some multi-grain toast.
I briefly considered sour cream for his, but decided against it without being able to test myself. If I had had onions I would have added them, green peppers too. Jalapenos probably could have been substituted for cayenne, but I like the way cayenne tastes in soups. Potatoes would have been horribly good in this.

Verdict:
I liked it but didn't think it was over the moon good. Was very pretty and filling, but needed something in my opinion. Oil? Something to give it that smack smack, num.
On the plus side...

The Man:
Said it was very good. :D Just what I needed after a couple of so so responses.

Veggie Lover - Banned Peta Ad

Num Fruit Salad

6 strawberries, diced
1 apple, diced
1 banana, diced
handful of chopped walnuts
1 tsp honey (or agave nectar if you can get it, I know honey isn't vegan by a lot of people's standards, I personally do not object to it and believe most honey harvest practices are humane.)


Cut all ingredients into tiny tidbits, mix together. Add honey and stir till everything is glazed with honey. Keeps in the fridge for a few hours without really browning. I find it's nicer because the juice and the honey make a lovely syrup after 30 minutes or so.

This could make a good snack, but I've eaten it for dinner before. It's a good sized salad.