Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Monthly Cooking Thread - August 2020

Posted on 08/02/2020 5:01:12 PM PDT by Jamestown1630

I’m a fan of eggplant. It’s commonly said that eggplant hasn’t much taste, but soaks up other flavors; but I like its own taste.

I think I’ve posted this before, and can’t remember where I found it; but it’s one of my favorite things to do with eggplant – if you also like tahini, you’ll enjoy this:

ROASTED EGGPLANT WITH TAHINI DRESSING

2 medium eggplants (about 1 1/4 pounds total), trimmed and halved lengthwise

coarse sea salt

freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley

DRESSING:

3 tablespoons well-stirred tahini

2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons hot water

1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt

1/8 teaspoon minced garlic

1/8 teaspoon ground cumin

For Eggplant: Heat oven to 425°F with rack in middle. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. (It helps to first sprinkle the eggplant halves with salt, and let them "drain", flesh side down, in a large colander for about 30 minutes before roasting. This helps to reduce the moisture content of the dish.)

Put eggplant pieces on prepared baking sheet, flesh-side up. With the tip of a sharp knife, score flesh, about 3/4 inch deep, here and there, or in a 'grill-mark' sort of grid. Season eggplant with salt and pepper, and drizzle with oil. Roast, rotating pan once halfway through, until eggplant flesh is soft and collapsed and edges are deep golden, 35 to 40 minutes.

Dressing:

While eggplant is roasting, in a bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients. Remove eggplant from oven and sprinkle with salt.

Transfer to serving plates, drizzle with half of the dressing and sprinkle with parsley. Serve with remaining dressing.

**********************************************

Another thing to do with eggplant is Caponata, great with a good crusty loaf of Italian bread; this recipe is from Martha Rose Shulman:

https://therecipefile23.blogspot.com/2017/03/caponata-martha-rose-shulman-yield.html?m=1

*********************************************

While we were waiting to see the SpaceX splashdown today, I found a couple of fun things on YouTube.

This is National Geographic’s interview with WWII veteran Richard Arvin Overton of Texas, who was 109 years old at the time this video was made; he lived to be over 112 by the time he passed (video is about 12 minutes long):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXyfCGDnuWs

And this is a very sweet man serenading his donkey (very short):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu-yDS6IVB4


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Food; Hobbies; Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: donkey; eggplant; longgoodlife
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 141-159 next last
To: Jamestown1630

My eggplant is slow this year...Can’t wait.


41 posted on 08/02/2020 6:42:48 PM PDT by Sacajaweau
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jamestown1630

I grew round eggplants, dipped strips in egg and bread crumbs and made French Fries. Great to snack on at the computer.


42 posted on 08/02/2020 6:44:46 PM PDT by Sacajaweau
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lizma2

Easy-peasy. I even went light on the L and heavy on the B. There’s a video -

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/blt-macaroni-salad/


43 posted on 08/02/2020 6:44:55 PM PDT by Libloather (Why do climate change hoax deniers live in mansions on the beach?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: FamiliarFace

I hear you. The only real ‘symptom’ I’ve experienced through this whole ‘lockdown’ business, has been loss of appetite.

I was on vacation through the middle of March - and when it was time to go back to work, they told me they were locking down. Within a few weeks, I noticed that nothing tasted right, and I didn’t really want to eat. (I guess that’s why my cooking threads haven’t been very inspired, lately.)

But generally, it didn’t seem to affect me much - I thought the loss of appetite was due to much reduced physical activity and disruption of usual schedule - I live pretty hermit-like normally, anyway; my greatest pleasures are ‘inner’ ones.

But a few weeks ago, I began to notice that I was getting worried and more angst-y - and I think that’s due to all the bad news, contention in the news, and dwelling on ‘the state of the world’ too much.

I have come to the conclusion that this whole ‘lockdown’ business has been harming more people than it has been helping.

Kudos to you and your family, for finding a way to remain engaged and interested. For me, FR has been a great help; (and also being more busy and productive teleworking than I ever was given all the distractions of the office :-)


44 posted on 08/02/2020 6:49:16 PM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Trillian

You must be Italian. It seems almost every recipe you post is classic Italian.


45 posted on 08/02/2020 6:51:29 PM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: Moonmad27

You’re added to the list.

Welcome.


46 posted on 08/02/2020 6:56:25 PM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: Jamestown1630

Yes, I am. Anytime I need to find a recipe, I just add Pugliese in front of it and I am able to find the ones most similar to mine. Most of my recipes are in my head.


47 posted on 08/02/2020 6:58:37 PM PDT by Trillian
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: lizma2

The split peas add some thickening. You don’t taste them, in the end (I hate Split-Pea Soup - if it turned out anything like that, I wouldn’t like it).

But if you delete them, you might want to add a sprinkling of flour after the onions and celery have cooked, and get yourself a sort of roux in there.


48 posted on 08/02/2020 7:01:13 PM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: kalee

Post your recipe for rollatini. I think my husband would like that.


49 posted on 08/02/2020 7:06:05 PM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Jamestown1630

I used to make baba ganoush(so??) a lot back in the day. Now I’m inspired to make it again after reading this.

My mother in law gave us an instant last month when we visited MA. I told her about this thread & all the instant users on it. Thinking I’ll start using it in September.


50 posted on 08/02/2020 7:07:30 PM PDT by leaning conservative (snow coming, school cancelled, yayyyyyyyyy!!!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: leaning conservative

Instapot...geez


51 posted on 08/02/2020 7:08:12 PM PDT by leaning conservative (snow coming, school cancelled, yayyyyyyyyy!!!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: boatbums

Tell us how you do pot roast.

My husband has really enjoyed that Mississippi one - he’s made it several times now - but you do have to go easy on the peppers.


52 posted on 08/02/2020 7:10:04 PM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: Sacajaweau

That sounds delicious!!! Due you sautee them in oil? Any oven time?


53 posted on 08/02/2020 7:10:17 PM PDT by leaning conservative (snow coming, school cancelled, yayyyyyyyyy!!!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: leaning conservative

Do not due. Drove 10 hours today. Need sleep....


54 posted on 08/02/2020 7:11:25 PM PDT by leaning conservative (snow coming, school cancelled, yayyyyyyyyy!!!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: leaning conservative

Baba Ganoush is one of our favorite things. My husband took it to an office party last year; people asked ‘What Is That?’

He explained it, and was surprised that it got all eaten-up.


55 posted on 08/02/2020 7:12:31 PM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: Jamestown1630

*I have come to the conclusion that this whole ‘lockdown’ business has been harming more people than it has been helping.*

I wish more of the powers that be would realize how much they are hurting all of us. It shows me that for all their talk, they really DO NOT CARE!!


56 posted on 08/02/2020 7:14:38 PM PDT by FamiliarFace
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: leaning conservative

I fry them in a little olive oil...salt and put on toweling. It’s just great to eat them like fries. If it wasn’t summer or if I had a lot of people, I’d do them in the oven.


57 posted on 08/02/2020 7:14:55 PM PDT by Sacajaweau
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: Jamestown1630

Last week I made squash pickles, and wickles (hot sweet pickles). I can’t eat either but the children/grandchildren like them.

This week I’m making “Mother Chappell’s Ripe Tomato Pickle”. Fabulous over black eyed or field peas. (Mother Chappell was my great grandmother and I had her until I was 19.)


58 posted on 08/02/2020 7:16:36 PM PDT by Tuscaloosa Goldfinch (Abortion is just a new spin on human sacrifice by worshipers of self and selfishness.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jamestown1630
*** The only real ‘symptom’ I’ve experienced through this whole ‘lockdown’ business, has been loss of appetite. ***

I had that same problem until I bought half a beef recently. I now have my appetite back. Plus, it's like having your own meat market just steps away.🐄🍖🍔🐄

59 posted on 08/02/2020 7:17:23 PM PDT by sockmonkey (Conservative. Not a Neocon.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: Flaming Conservative

Make sure you remove the skin completely.


60 posted on 08/02/2020 7:20:39 PM PDT by FamiliarFace
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 141-159 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson