Eggplant BLT

Yesterday I was craving eggplant (aubergine, brinjal, whatever you like to call them). And when you have a craving it seems to be all you think about. But I was reluctant to cook any, I was getting bored with the perennial plant. I have prepared them baked, in lasagna, covered in sauce, fried and spicy, cooked like a twice baked potato etc...- Change was needed. Something new.

Googling around (That's a word, right?), I simply wrote, 'creative uses for eggplant' and I found a post by Real Simple who breaded the slices and fried them until crispy, (OK yawn, been there, done that), THEN, he used the crispy slices like 'bread' to make a sandwich! Ugh! So creative!

The chef's recipe didn't sound appetizing, and I didn't have half the ingredients anyways so I adopted it into the classic, and Real Simple Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato sandwich.

This is possibly one of my top ten favorite recipes for 2012. 
It is seriously good food.

Here is Matt Romero's recipe with some adaptation by me.

Ingredients                                                         Time: 30 minutes, serves 2
                                                                                          Makes approx six 'sandwiches'
5-10 slices of bacon (however much bacon you like)
1/3 c flour
1/3 c cornstarch
1 large egg beaten
1/2 c fine breadcrumbs
1 medium/ large eggplant, cut into 1/2 inch rounds
1/2 c vegetable oil
kosher salt 

4  leaves romaine lettuce, torn in half 

2  small tomatoes, sliced

 

Directions

1.  Line a plate with paper towels and place the eggplant slices on top, sprinkle with salt and let sit for 15-30minutes, here's why. Rinse and pat dry.
2. In a frying skillet, cook bacon like normal until done to your liking, drain on paper towels and keep warm in the microwave. Drain bacon grease if you'd like or use it for step 4.
3. Mix the flour and cornstarch together. Place the flour mix, eggs, and bread crumbs in separate shallow bowls. Dip the eggplant slices in the flour mix, then in the eggs (letting any excess drip off), and finally in the bread crumbs, pressing gently to help them adhere completely coating. Don't worry about the sides being coated.  
4. In the same skillet, heat half the oil over medium-high heat. Cook half the eggplant until golden brown and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes per side; transfer to a paper towel–lined plate, repeat with the remaining oil and eggplant. Sprinkle the hot eggplant with ½ teaspoon salt.
5. Layer the eggplant, bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes, to form  "sandwiches," with the eggplant on the top and bottom of each stack. 
6. Eat and enjoy!

Calories calculated using Sparkrecipe Calculator: 471.2 calories per serving (3 sandwiches), *Calories calculated with 5 slices of bacon

The tiny ends can be made like 'sliders' Love it.

The Black Bean Burger

I've been on a veggie kick recently and have been enjoying it very much :) It is so easy to create your favorite foods with lots of veggies to make you full and keep you healthy for another day.

New Family Favorite: Black Bean Burger

Though I'm calling it the black bean burger, don't be fooled. There are lots of veggies packed into this little guy.

Black Bean Burger- makes 6-7 burgers

Ingredients:
2 16oz cans of black beans
2 tbl of minced garlic
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
1 carrot, finely shredded
1/4 a bunch of cilantro, roughly chopped
1 tbl cumin
Few shakes of chili flakes
1 tsp salt
1 c bread crumbs
2 eggs

Toppings:
That's up to you, it's a burger! I used sprouts, tomato slices, cheese, and "fry sauce" in the picture above.

1. Drain beans and rinse, place in a bowl and mash until a nice paste.
2. Add all other ingredients to bean mix until thoroughly mixed and texture holds together.
3. Cover a cookie sheet with foil and oil/spray well to prevent sticking. Turn on oven to 350 degrees.
4. Form into patties and place on cookie sheet.
5. Cook 10 mins, flip and cook another 10 mins.
*You can also cook burgers on the stove top or grill. If you do, I suggest you coat patties in more bread crumbs after forming to help keep patties together and give them a nice brown skin.
6. Place patty on a burger bun, top with favorite healthy goodies.
7. ENJOY! I know I did. I will definitely make this again, everyone, even my 2yr old just gobbled these up :) and any kid friendly food is a good recipe to keep on hand.

I like this picture sideways...