Tag: side dishes

Eggplant Caprese Stacks with Balsamic Glaze

 

Eggplant Caprese Stacks

Trader Joe’s grocery store has become a favorite destination for me to do my grocery shopping. Not only are the prices hard to beat, but I love their selection of prepared frozen items from their signature line. I rarely make eggplant, so when I came across these breaded eggplant cutlets at Trader Joe’s I had to buy them. They crisp up super quick in the oven and take all the work out of having to batter and coat your own eggplant cutlets. I knew they would be amazing in a caprese recipe. Traditionally, caprese type salads are made with mozzarella, tomato and basil–so the crispiness of the eggplant kicks it up a notch and makes it more of a hearty, satisfying dish. These eggplant caprese stacks with balsamic glaze would make a terrific side dish to just about any entree or a delicious vegetarian entree option.

Eggplant Caprese Stacks wit Balsamic Glaze

Yield: 4 stacks

Eggplant Caprese Stacks wit Balsamic Glaze

Ingredients

  • For Glaze:
  • 1/2 c balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • For Eggplant Stacks:
  • 8 eggplant cutlets (trader joes brand)
  • 2 large tomatoes, sliced to 1/4 inch thick slices
  • 1 large mozzarella ball, sliced into 1/4 inch thick slices
  • 8 basil leaves
  • Sea salt and black pepper

Instructions

  1. To Make Glaze:
  2. Combine ingredients over med/low heat in a small saucepan. Stir until sugar dissolves.
  3. Bring to a low boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes or until thickened.
  4. Pour into a container and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
  5. For Stacks:
  6. Cook eggplant cutlets in oven until crispy and lightly browned. Allow to cool slightly.
  7. Layer slices of eggplant, tomato, mozzarella and basil. Repeat and then create another stack. Season with salt and pepper.
  8. Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.
http://freshandfit.org/eggplant-caprese-stacks-with-balsamic-glaze/

Eggplant Caprese Stacks 1

Roasted Vegetables with Herb Butter Sauce

Roasted Vegetables with Herb Butter Sauce JPG

Easter is a holiday that evokes thoughts of colorful and bright food with fresh flavors. In today’s recipe, I created a simple and wholesome side dish of roasted vegetables with a creamy and tangy herb dressing. I wanted to make something different from he traditional potato salad. Cabbage, carrots, and potatoes are hearty and have the most wonderful flavor when roasted with a light char. This recipe for roasted vegetables with herb butter sauce will look gorgeous on your Easter table.

Roasted Vegetables with Herb Butter Sauce

Roasted Vegetables with Herb Butter Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1 head of cabbage
  • 1 bunch of carrots (5-6 medium carrots), sliced lengthwise
  • 1 lb baby red potatoes, quartered
  • FOR SAUCE
  • 1/3 c olive oil
  • 1/3 c grass-fed butter, melter
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 2 tbsp chives, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp dried dill
  • Sea salt and black pepper to taste.

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic, butter, dill and chives. Reserve 1/3 cup of sauce for after roasting.
  2. Slice cabbage to about 1 inch thickness. Place in a large bowl.
  3. Prepare carrots and potatoes. Add to bowl with cabbage.
  4. Pour sauce over vegetables. Use hands to mix and coat vegetables.
  5. Place vegetables on baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Bake 30 minutes. Turn broiler to 550 and broil 5 minutes or until vegetables are lightly charred. pour reserved sauce over vegetables right before serving.
http://freshandfit.org/roasted-vegetables-with-herb-butter-sauce/

 

 

Seasonal Chopped Salad with Herbed Goat Cheese Dressing

Seasonal Chopped Salad Recipe

Farmers markets and grocery stores are full of vibrant produce this time of year. You can find many unique varieties of old favorites. Just today I saw “Apple-cots” which I am guessing is a hybrid of an apple and apricot. I couldn’t resist picking up purple bell peppers. They were something I have never seen before, so I thought they would be perfect for today’s salad recipe. I am going to serve this creamy herbed goat cheese dressed salad tonight alongside some grilled sausages. This seasonal chopped salad has some great springtime favorites in addition to the purple peppers; crunchy radishes, cool cucumbers and tender fingerling potatoes. My favorite part is the creamy herbed goat cheese dressing with fresh lemon and dill.

Seasonal Chopped Salad with Herbed Goat Cheese Dressing

Seasonal Chopped Salad with Herbed Goat Cheese Dressing

Ingredients

  • 1 c fingerling potatoes
  • 1 c radishes, quartered
  • 1 c bell pepper, diced
  • 1c seedless cucumber, diced
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1/3 c olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 handful of dill, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp soft herb goat cheese
  • Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a pot of water to boil. Add potatoes. Simmer 15 minutes or until fork tender. Strain potatoes and chill for at least 20 minutes.
  2. In the meantime, chop vegetables and combine in a large bowl.
  3. Whisk together olive oil, goat cheese, garlic, lemon juice and dill until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. When potatoes are cool, slice them in half and add with the rest of vegetables.
  5. Pour dressing over vegetables and stir. Refrigerate until serving.
http://freshandfit.org/seasonal-chopped-salad-with-herbed-goat-cheese-dressing/

 

Sweet Potato and Kale Fritters

sweet potato & kale fritters recipe

Today I have a meatless Monday recipe that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Sweet and savory sweet potato and kale fritters are a super healthy alternative to traditional potato pancakes or hash browns. They are easy to whip up and fun for kids to help mix together and a fun way to involve them in healthy cooking.

Sweet Potato and Kale Fritters

Ingredients

  • 1 large sweet potatoes, peeled
  • 2 c kale, stems removed
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 scallions, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp dill, finely chopped
  • 1/4 c almond meal or bread crumbs
  • Sea salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Begin by grating sweet potato.
  2. Finely chop kale leaves.
  3. Combine kale, sweet potato, and herbs in a large bowl. Toss with almond meal or bread crumbs. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Heat a flat top or pan. Add olive oil.
  5. Add in beaten eggs and stir.
  6. Using a 1/2 cup measuring cup, scoop mixture and place onto heated pan pressing down lightly with bottom of scoop.
  7. Cook 3 minutes, carefully flip and cook 4 more minutes. While fritters cook, use a spatula to form them into circles and press down.
  8. Serve while hot.
http://freshandfit.org/sweet-potato-and-kale-fritters/