Eggplant

You are going to love this Paleo recipe!

I can't believe how Dei Fratelli has changed the way I look at tomato sauce!  I used this box of finely chopped tomatoes right from the box.  I did add about 1 clove of garlic that I finely minced in the box and gave it a little stir.  This paleo Italian recipe is perfect and great to share!

Italian recipes are my favorite especially when Eggplant is included. This is a hearty Bolognese and a paleo recipe that is prepared in one pot! You can add any of your favorite vegetables such as peppers or zucchini. You serve over spaghetti squash, zucchini noodles or your favorite pasta! Enjoy

Eggplant Caponata is an Italian favorite.  You can enjoy as a side to any dish but I love to grill a piece of white fish and set on top and eat together!  You can also serve over spaghetti squash or your favorite pasta!  This Italian Paleo Recipe is perfect.

Caponata Is an Italian (Sicilian recipe) dish consisting of eggplant, celery then seasoned with vinegar and capers.

Numerous local variations of the ingredients exist with some versions adding olives, carrots and green bell peppers, zucchini or summer squash.

Caponata is typically used as a side dish for fish dishes and sometimes as an appetizer, but since the 1700s it has also been prepared as a main course.

My husband was out doing errands on found a farmers market and came home with eggplant.  I love eggplant.  I decided to cook them up francaise style and I made sandwiches with fresh french bread and sliced mozzarella cheese.  Then pressed on as a panini.  Delicious!

I can just eat by drizzling a little EVOO and some fresh basil!  Perfecto....

Yes, I made eggplant meatballs. If you know me – You know I love Eggplant! And – I love meatballs. So I decided to make 2 of my favorites together… Delicious.. I used ground turkey and almond meal but I am giving you alternative suggestions below.

This is a great paleo recipe and very addictive – I like using an ice cream scoop so they are all the same size!  Perfect for entertaining.  Yummy!!

I have this weekly ritual. Cleaning out the refrigerator. I have been super busy cooking and creating new recipes that I found 1/2 red pepper, onions and miscellaneous mushrooms. Not to mention a couple of eggplants. I also had 1/2 pound of ground beef, ground pork and ground veal. I am sure it was left over from meatballs I made last week. So I was thinking about an easy meal to make with all of these ingredients. I love one pot meals and this meatloaf was perfect.

I never imagined eggplant parmesan and meatloaf in one dish but I am so glad this meal inspired me. It is a perfect paleo recipe and hearty meal. Of course Italian style!

You can just use ground beef or even ground chicken. All together I used 1 1/2 pounds of meat.

This is what I did!

This is a summertime hit, yet great anytime! Make this salad a day in advance if you have the time. The flavors will be even better.  

I just LOVE eggplant and always pick up 2 each week at the grocery store or more often if I spot them in the produce department and they look amazing.  That is why I have a category for Eggplant. 

At the lake we enjoy our "happy hour" and I love making something different especially when our lake neighbors are over.  Since I am Italian expect lots of garlic!  

Yummy..

xo

I love summer vegetables and especially grilled then drizzle balsamic vinegar.  This makes a great salad for your next Paleo Picnic.

Cindy's Important Tip:  Be sure to take the time after you slice the eggplant and zucchini to salt and let sit.  I like to layer with paper towels and top with a pan for 20-25 minutes. This will drain the moisture from the vegetables and allow them to grill perfectly.  

While at the Coventry Farmer’s Market I found the most beautiful heirloom zucchini.  I never had one of these so I had to get one.  The farmer told me they are very special and he was correct!  I knew at that moment I was going to treat this zucchini special in a parmesan dish!  When I told the farmer he asked if he could come over but did tell me to come back and share my recipe!  I will do that next Sunday..

I also found beautiful eggplant and knew I had organic chicken breasts in my freezer.  My brain was spinning about this recipe while I was walking around the market!

This is not a paleo recipe but if you use gluten free breadcrumbs you are good to go!  You can make this paleo but this Italian decided to go for a full Italian parmesan dish and we enjoyed every bite…

As an Italian, it just doesn’t get better than pasta and eggplant! Give this pasta a la norma a try for a perfect weeknight dinner!

Eggplant is one of my favorites and I do prepare several ways on a regular basis in my kitchen. Especially when I am looking for a side dish using eggplant and other ingredients that are always handy in my refrigerator!

Lately I have been wanting to try to make different recipes, that would be enjoyed by a vegan or someone who wants to try something a little different. As an Italian I love using ricotta cheese, I wanted to find an alternate ingredient to use that could favor someone who is vegan or even dairy free.

I took a typical Italian dish and replaced the ricotta cheese with tofu. I served this during dinner one night and I didn't tell my family it was a tofu manicotti. No one knew! Give my Spinach and Eggplant Manicotti with Tofu "Ricotta" a try!Enjoy!

If you know me then you know very well that I love eggplant. I first had this delicious eggplant recipe while in Tuscany with my husband 2 years ago (2010). We enjoyed so many meals and what I loved most was the small dishes. This let us try several dishes while dining at each restaurant. I make this often when entertaining and I serve them in individual oven-safe dishes. You can also make a large platter and let everyone serve them self. Either way - I can promise you this eggplant recipe will be a hit! Enjoy..

Sunday’s I clean out my refrigerator and try to use up what I have before the new week starts.  I had several 1/2 used vegetables and a beautiful eggplant.  I decided to make a Vegetable loaded eggplant lasagna. Now that is a mouth full and of course it is made Italian style and a great paleo recipe!

Chefs Note: If you use gluten free or regular breadcrumbs with Italian seasonings then you can omit the parsley, basil and oregano – unless you want extra herbs). You can also use sweet potatoes or any other leftover vegetables in your refrigerator!