Recipe Mania

1 bag spring lettuce mix (or any kind of lettuce mix)

4oz of goat cheese crumbled (use a plain goat cheese - no added flavors use more or less depending on how much you like goat cheese!!!)

Handful of Dried Cranberries

Handful of chopped walnuts

1-2 bosc pairs (firm) diced - I used a soft pear once, it's good but not the same

Newmans Own Balsamic Venerate - Light (However much you want - but don't drench the salad - it should be coated - Make sure it's the light - I have never used the full fat and calorie version so it may taste slightly different)

Mix all the ingredients!! And EAT!!

2 Large Eggplants (about 1 pound each) quartered lengthwise
2 red peppers (about 6oz each) quartered lengthwise
6 garlic cloves peeled (or more if you like a lot of garlic)
4 tbs extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion chopped
1 small carrot - chopped
3 medium ripe tomatoes (6 oz each) peeled, seeded and chopped. - time saver I used 15oz can of stewed tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves
salt and pepper
8 cups vegetable broth
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Optional - fresh cilantro and lemon juice

Preheat the oven to 400F

Rub the cut side of the eggplants, the skin side of the bell peppers and the garlic with 1 tablespoon of the oil. (Low fat version - I used Pam "Olive Oil" Cooking Spray)

Roast in the oven until the the garlic is browned and softened, (turning once) the peppers are blistered and beginning to char, and the eggplants are softened and slightly wrinkled. This can take up to 30-40 minutes depending on your oven and how well you want the vegetables roasted. Place the roasted peppers in a paper bag, (plastic bag worked!) twist to close and set aside for 20 min. Set the eggplant and garlic aside to cool.

When the eggplants are cool enough to handle, peel away the skin. Coarsely chop and set aside. Peel of the kins of the peppers with our fingers or with a small paring knife. Coarsely chop and set aside. Chop the garlic and set aside.

Meanwhile, in a large stockpot heat the remaining oil over medium heat ( I used 2 TBS olive oil and some of the spray) Add the onion and carrot and cook stirring occasionally until very soft but not browned, 10 to 15 minutes. (I also added additional garlic here!)

Add the tomatoes, bay leaves, cumin seeds, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper. Bring to a brisk simmer over medium high heat.

Add the broth and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer gently for 15minutes. Stir in the roasted eggplant, bell peppers, garlic and cayenne. Bring to a brisk simmer. Reduce heat, cover and simmer gently for 15minutes.

I suggest to make the soup at least 1 day ahead to allow the soup to sit and the flavors intensify in taste. At this point I allowed the soup to completely cool. Working in batches transfer the soup into a food processor and blend until smooth and pureed. (For a thicker soup - use less of the broth. I didn't use all the broth maybe 6cups of the broth)

1 1/3 cup serving….
Calories 115
Protein 3g
Fat 5g (can be even less if you don't use any olive oil and just cooking sprays)
Carbs - 17
Fiber .5

ingredients
—————–
2 cups yogurt
1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
2 cloves garlic
2-3 tsp of white vine vinegar
2 tsp chopped fresh mint
2 tsp snipped fresh dill
salt and ground white pepper to taste
1 tbl spoonolive oil - preferably extra virgin

method
———–
1. Toss the cucumber with salt in a colander
2. let it stand for 30 minutes
3. Press the excess water out of the cucumber,rinse quickly and blot to dry.
4. keep aside.
5. mash the 2 cloves of garlic with a little salt. 6. combine the yogurt, cucumbers and garlic in a medium bowl with the white vinegar, fresh mint and fresh dill,
7. Add salt and white pepper to taste
8. drizzle over the salad the olive oil

2oz goat cheese
2oz semi-dry sun dried tomatoes
3 TBS of fresh basil - chopped
1 pkg. Pepperidge Farms Puff Pastry
2 large eggs
1/2 cup of milk
Salt & pepper to taste

Method:

Unthawing Puff Pastry:This process can take up to 1 hour or over night depending on your method. Since I am a procrastinator I usually end up waiting the day of 3 hours before I am suppose to have the things ready! Allow the sheets to unthaw folded on the counter top for about 30-45 minutes. Once you can unfold the sheets do so - The sheets will unthaw faster this way. Don't panic if the sheets crack at the fold line)  Type of Pan needed:24-Cup Mini Muffin Pan - they make 12-cup pans as well. I suggest the 24 so you only have to bake once. This recipe yields 24 bite size quiche.