Eggplant Parmegian

Helpful hints from an Italian Chef, Maureen Biles.

The trick to Eggplant Parmesan is to drain the eggplant slices of excess moisture first, before cooking.

Cut eggplants lengthwise into 1/4 inch slices. Arrange one layer in the bottom of a large colander and sprinkle evenly with salt. Repeat with remaining eggplant, salting, until all eggplant is in the colander. Weigh down the slices with a couple of plates and let drain for 2 hours. The purpose of this step is to have the eggplant release some of its moisture before cooking.

Eggplant Parmesan

Ingredients Eggplant:
2 eggplants
3-4 eggs whisked
Progresso italian bread crumbs
Romano Cheese
Mozzarella Cheese
Olive Oil

Directions Eggplant:
Peel and slice eggplants thin 1/4 inch thick or less
Dip each slice in eggs and then cover w/ bread crumbs.
Some people fry these slices in olive oil till they are golden brown. I coat a baking sheet with olive oil and bake my slices. When they are golden brown on one side , I flip them and let the other side brown.

Ingredients Tomato Sauce:
Hunts or Contadina tomato sauce. 4 cans and about 3/4 can of water.
Italian Seasoning
Garlic Seasoning
Fresh Basil
Cooked Sausage or Lean Ground Beef

Directions Tomato Sauce:
Saute onions and garlic in sauce pan w/ olive oil. When this cooks add can tomato sauce, italian seasoning, garlic seasoning, and fresh basil. I like to cook sausage or lean ground beef and add it to my sauce for flavor.

After the slices are all cooked, I layer (like lasagne) eggplant, tomato sauce, grated Romano cheese and, if you like cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese can also be put on each layer.

Let this simmer all day or at least 4-6 hours.  Enjoy!

Caramel Apple Wedges

Beautiful presentation from Paula Bostock:

Do you love caramel apples but hate trying to eat them? Try it this way! Hollow out your apples, (you can balance the apple halves in a muffin pan) fill will melted caramel, let the caramel harden and cut into slices! :-) yummy!

Thanks to RecipesFilledWithLove.

Homemade Basil Pesto

The basil plant is out of control. Time to make some Pesto.


Homemade Basil Pesto

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup basil leaves
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup pine nuts
1 garlic clove, chopped
salt
freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a food processor or high-speed blender.
Puree until smooth.

Makes about 1/2 cup.

Also try Tomato Caper Relish on page 20 in Tastes & Treasures cookbook.

Turkey Oreos

These may not be the most nutritious but they are easy and fun to do with your child for a special treat.
Found these on the PLR Fb page.
Ingredients:
Candy corn, Oreos, small peanut butter cups, whoppers and yellow, black and red frosting.

Easy Chicken Enchilada from Erica in Maryland

The fresh Kale inspired us.  It's like an edible bouquet from the garden.

Easy Chicken Enchiladas

Ingredients:
1 can condensed soup (chicken or mushroom)
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup salsa
2 tsp chili powder
2 cups cubed and cooked chicken
1/2 cup shredded cheese (any flavor)
8-10 burrito size flour tortillas

Optional items
1 can black beans - rinsed
3/4 cup chopped peppers (red, orange or yellow)
1 can corn - drained
1 cup mushrooms sauteed or 1 can mushrooms
1 cup spinach or kale (sauteed) or frozen can be used

Directions:
Mix soup with sour cream, salsa, chili powder.
Mix 1 cup of soup mixture with cooked chicken, cheese and optional items.
Spoon into 8-10 burrito-size flour tortillas; fold over edges of burrito.
Place into 9 X 12 “ casserole dish.
Spoon remaining soup mixture over the top of the burritos. Cover with foil.
Bake 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Saute chicken.

Spoon remaining soup over folded burritos.

Spooning mixture into flour tortilla.

Also try Historymaker Roy Drachman's Flat Enchiladas on page 134 Tastes & Treasures cookbook.

Turkey Centerpiece with Fruit

Thanksgiving edible centerpiece is fun to make. Let the family create it with you.

Use a melon and flatten the bottom, use a pear for head.
The child can do all the "feathers" with skewers of grapes and cheese.
Another option is to skewer apples and berries for "feathers". 

Thanks to  "Lizzie's everyday tips for living" for this great idea.

Cheese Ball Turkey

Here is a very attractive appetizer cheese ball. Ingredients are your favorite cheese ball with pretzel stick tail. Cheeseball recipe below.

But what should the head be made of? Beef jerkey head and neck?  Colby cheese beak with pimento? Green olive eyes? Get creative and make your own family tradition.

Find many more appetizer recipes in Tastes & Treasures cookbook.

CHEESEBALL

Ingredients:
1 pound bacon
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 green onion, chopped
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions:
In a large skillet fry the bacon. Remove the bacon from the skillet and drain on paper towels. Chop or break the cooled bacon into small pieces.
In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, bacon, mayonnaise, and green onions. When mixed well, form 2 balls out of the mixture. Cover and refrigerate 3 to 4 hours, or overnight.
Before serving, roll the cheese balls in the chopped pecans.

Thanks to RecipesFilledWithLove for this great idea.