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Maharae's picture

 

Gazpacho   

 

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds vine-ripened tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
  • Tomato juice
  • 1 cup cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • 1 small jalapeno, seeded and minced
  • 1 medium garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon toasted, ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chiffonade

Directions

Fill a 6-quart pot halfway full of water, set over high heat and bring to a boil.

Make an X with a paring knife on the bottom of the tomatoes. Drop the tomatoes into the boiling water for 15 seconds, remove and transfer to an ice bath and allow to cool until able to handle, approximately 1 minute. Remove and pat dry. Peel, core and seed the tomatoes. When seeding the tomatoes, place the seeds and pulp into a fine mesh strainer set over a bowl in order to catch the juice. Press as much of the juice through as possible and then add enough bottled tomato juice to bring the total to 1 cup.

Place the tomatoes and juice into a large mixing bowl. Add the cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, jalapeno, garlic clove, olive oil, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire, cumin, salt and pepper and stir to combine. Transfer 1 1/2 cups of the mixture to a blender and puree for 15 to 20 seconds on high speed. Return the pureed mixture to the bowl and stir to combine. Cover and chill for 2 hours and up to overnight. Serve with chiffonade of basil.

 

Crispy Eggplant Parmesan

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 cup dried Italian bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup cornmeal
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, divided
  • 2 eggplants
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley leaves, for garnish

Directions

In a large pot over medium-high heat, add the canola oil. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute. Add the 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, tomatoes and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 10 minutes. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the sauce for the online round 2 recipe Eggplant and Pasta.

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

 

Set up a breading station using 3 baking dishes. In the first dish, add the flour and season with salt and pepper, to taste. In the second dish whisk the eggs with 1/2 cup water. In the third dish combine the bread crumbs, cornmeal, 2 tablespoons Parmesan and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Slice the eggplant into 3/4-inch slices. Dredge them in flour, then in the egg wash and then in the bread crumbs. Arrange the eggplant on 2 sheet trays fitted with a racks and bake in oven until crispy, about 20 to 25 minutes. Reserve 4 slices of eggplant for the online round 2 recipe, Eggplant and Pasta.

 

Turn the oven to broil. Put the eggplant, overlapping, into a baking dish in 2 rows. Cover each row with about a cup of sauce and sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese and remaining 2 tablespoons of Parmesan. Put under the broiler until the cheese is melted and bubbling, about 3 to 4 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve.

 

Grilled Watermelon Salad

 

 

It's tomato soup served ice cold!

Kael's picture

GO BACK TO RUSSIA!

Know what's reallly awesome?

Maharae's picture

....put it in a glass, get some corn chips from the ethnic food isle or market, a few sticks of celery a straw and a spoon. Add a little vodka. \o/

 

The eggplant parm recipe

Faerilin's picture

sounds really good, except for the cooking it on sheet pans fitted with racks.  I've never seen such a contraption, and I hate to buy new cooking equipment for one recipe.  Somehow I doubt the eggplant would come out as crispy if it were cooked directly on the baking sheet.  I'm going to give it a try though.  Also, " In the first dish, add the flour and season with salt and pepper, to taste." Sorry, but raw flour tastes like ass by itself.  I'm not seasoning it "to taste", lol.

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