Eggplant & Zucchini Towers

This time of the summer the eggplant is so beautiful and plentiful. I love trying something new with a blend of summers flavors. Eggplant & Zucchini Towers make a wonderful side dish or stuff between some ciabatta bread for a great sandwich!

• 1/2 cup plus 2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 4- 6 garlic cloves, minced
• Small bunch of basil leaves, coarsely chopped
• 1 Tbs. chopped fresh oregano
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 4 sweet onions, sliced 1⁄4 inch thick
• 1 eggplant, sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 5 tomatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 4 zucchini, halved crosswise and sliced lengthwise 1/4 inch thick
• 1/2 cup coarsely grated Pecorino Romano cheese (This is made from Sheep milk, so allergies to cow’s milk is allowed)

Directions:
Preheat an oven to 425°F.

In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, warm 6 Tbs. of the olive oil. Add the onions, salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic, basil, oregano and parsley and cook for 2 minutes more. Remove the pan from the heat.

Rub the bottom and sides of a sheet pan with olive oil. Place 8 eggplant slices in a single layer in the pan and season with salt. Top each with 1 tsp. onion mixture and 1 tomato slice and season with salt. Top each with 1 tsp. onions and 2 zucchini slices and season with salt. Top each with 1 tsp. onions. Repeat the layering 2 more times, ending with the zucchini. Drizzle each vegetable stack with 1 tsp. olive oil.

Bake until the vegetables are tender, about 40 minutes. Sprinkle each stack with cheese and bake for 7 to 10 minutes until melted. Let the vegetables rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe by Cindy Karas from “Gourmet Sensations, Healthy Food Alternatives”

Eggplant & Zucchini Towers

Cucumber Mint Water

What am I going to do with all this mint in my garden? Try this lightly flavored water on a hot & humid afternoon to hydrate & relax. I served this at a cook off at the Wake Forest Farmers Market & everyone was amazed at how refreshing it was!

• I/2 gallon of distilled water, room temperature
• 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 cups of fresh mint from your garden, crumbled a bit in your hand to release the oils (I used chocolate mint that I bought at Herbfest this year)

Pour water into a pitcher & add the cucumber, lemon juice & mint. Let steep for about an hour at room temperature & chill. I would say to discard the contents from the pitcher after a day but we drink it up so quickly ours is usually gone that day!

Recipe from Gourmet Sensations, Healthy Food Alternatives for Body & Soul by Cindy Karas

Cucumber Mint Water

Asian Beans with Onions & Sundried Tomatoes

Asian beans are somewhat new to me as I discovered them last year at the Wake Forest Farmers Market. Elizabeth from Wild Onion Farms sells these organic beans & suggested I try them. Let me tell you… Asian Beans are awesome & I buy them every week. This is my favorite way to prepare them!

• 1 bunch of Asian Beans, washed & cut in 2” pieces
• 1 large Vidalia Onion, sliced in 1/4 “ rings
• 1⁄2 cup of cooked & cooled organic brown rice
• 4-6 cloves of fresh Garlic, chopped
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• 1⁄4 cup of Sundried tomatoes, minced (I use them packed in oil for great additional flavor)
• 1 lemon, zest & juiced
• 1⁄2 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger
• 1⁄2 Pine nuts
• Salt & pepper
• 1 tablespoon Toasted Sesame Oil

In a sauté pan on medium heat, add evoo to lightly cover bottom of pan. When warm add onions, red pepper flakes and salt & pepper & sauté for about 2 minutes tossing occasionally. Add the beans, garlic, ginger, tomatoes & nuts & cook for about 5 min or until the onions begin to soften & the nuts begin to toast. (You may need to lower the heat a bit and possible add a touch more evoo). Add the Toasted Sesame Oil, rice, zest & toss till beans are al dente. Add lemon juice & mix well.

This is a delicious dish served hot or as a cold salad. Double the recipe for larger crowds

Recipe from “Gourmet Sensations, Healthy Food Alternatives” by Cindy Karas

Asian Beans with Onions & Sundried Tomatoes

Cherry Tomatoes with melted Mozzarella

• 1 pound fusilli pasta
• 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered (about 1 1/2 pints) if you can find the orange tomatoes, they are less acidy
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves, chopped coarsely
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, diced (about 1 1/4 cups)

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta into a large bowl and reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.

In a medium skillet heat the evoo over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. As the tomatoes cook and soften, smash them with a fork. Continue to cook until the tomatoes make a chunky style sauce, about 4 minutes. Transfer the tomato sauce to the bowl with the pasta. Toss to combine. Add the basil leaves and mozzarella. Stir to combine. Add the reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until the pasta is moist.

From “Gourmet Sensations, Healthy Food Alternatives” by Cindy Karas

Cherry Tomatoes with melted Mozzarella