Eggplant Parmesan is such an indulgent Italian dish that I always order it at restaurants. Deep fried breaded eggplant patties baked with gooey cheese and marinara sauce, what’s not to like with this combination? It hits the fried food craving, cheese craving, and Italian food craving, all in one dish. Continue reading Eggplant Parmesan & the Dinner Request That Nudged Me to Make It
Tag Archives: tomato
Panzanella. Fresh Tomato and Bread Salad
Every August and September we are swimming in garden fresh tomatoes from the garden, from multiple tomato deliveries from my neighbor, and abundance of tomatoes at the Farmer’s Markets. All this tomato bounty really forces me to get creative with tomato recipes especially ones that use fresh off the vine garden tomatoes. This Italian salad called panzanella is one of those recipes that is made with lots of fresh tomatoes and crusty bread. Add a bit of garlic, some onions, olive oil and balsamic vinegar and toss in some good sourdough bread and you have a delicious tomato salad with the added feel goodness of bread. The bread soaks up all the juices from the tomatoes and flavors the bread so beautifully that one can eat multiple bowls of this delicious salad. Continue reading Panzanella. Fresh Tomato and Bread Salad
Canning Tomatoes. A Novice’s Journey
Every summer we get tons and tons of tomatoes and vegetabales from our neighbor, so many vegetables in fact that we can’t eat them fast enough. I’m talking hundreds and hundreds of tomatoes, eggplant, zucchinis, peppers, cucumbers, and chilies. I froze a bunch to use throughout the year but my freezer was getting pretty full. I gave a bunch of veggies to friends too but I still had loads of vegetables waiting to be used. Finally with the remainder of the hundreds of tomatoes, squashes, and eggplants I decided a couple of years ago to make giant pots of marinara sauce, and for the first time in my life I learnt how to can and jar my tomatoes. Continue reading Canning Tomatoes. A Novice’s Journey
Parisian Inspired Vegetarian Club Sandwich
During our recent visit to Paris this summer, my daughter Sri and I had lunch and dinner at many of the cafes and restaurants we stumbled upon as we explored the city. One of the restaurants was Angelina on Rue de Rivoli. We liked Angelina so much that we stopped by more than once to try not just their desserts but their lunch as well. Angelina is a local favorite and has been in business since 1903. They are famous for their pastries, tea, and lunch service. At Angelina’s is where we tried their vegetarian club sandwich and absolutely loved it. Continue reading Parisian Inspired Vegetarian Club Sandwich
Tomato Pachdi. Tomato Salad with Toasted Mustard Seeds
Pachdi is a South Indian Tamil salad in which raw vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and carrots are seasoned with mustard seeds, asafetida, and curry leaves that are toasted in oil. Pachdi is typically served as a side dish along with the main meal. Here is a recipe for a very simple tomato kosumalli. Continue reading Tomato Pachdi. Tomato Salad with Toasted Mustard Seeds
Ratatouille
I had just received a batch of garden fresh zucchinis from my neighbor Jim and I was wondering what to make with them – something different you know. I’ve made soup, curries, cakes, and even zuccchini fritters but I was in the mood for something I haven’t made before. Ratatouille is the dish that came to mind because my friend Iya had been talking to me about how she made ratatouille recently and how her husband absolutely loved it. Continue reading Ratatouille
Cauliflower Potato Curry in Tomato Gravy
The aroma of cauliflower and potatoes cooking with onions and spices in a saucy tomato gravy always makes me smile 😊. I fondly remember my Mom making this cauliflower potato curry when I was growing up. When Mom served the curry in little stainless steel bowls along with her warm homemade chapatis, we would take pieces of chapati and dunk them in the tomato gravy and then eat spoonfuls of tender cauliflower potato curry. The tomato sauce is what gives the curry a nice tangy sourness that is yummy. Mom used to call this cauliflower curry “raswala cauliflower sabzi” translation “cauliflower curry in gravy.” Oh how fondly I remember my younger days and my Mom’s cooking. Funnily I get the same warm and feel good reaction when I make this curry for my family as well. This recipe is simple yet packs a ton of flavor. Give it a try! Continue reading Cauliflower Potato Curry in Tomato Gravy
Eggplant Tomato Pasta
This is a quick and easy recipe for a delicious tender eggplant pasta that takes just minutes to prepare. But before I share this pasta recipe let me share these beautiful and I mean BEAUTIFUL photos that one of my twins Rani took this week from guess where? La Dolce Vita!! Italy!! The twins Anjali and Rani are on a school trip to Italy this week! Why didn’t we go along? We tried, believe me!! But their school was very clear – only for students please! So here we are in California enjoying Italy vicariously through our kids. Rani texted these photos from Florence on day two of their trip and the pictures are just gorgeous! Continue reading Eggplant Tomato Pasta
Minestrone Soup
Minestrone soup, what’s not to like about this Italian favorite? Chock full of vegetables, Italian herbs, legumes and pasta all cooked in a tangy tomato broth always hits the spot at any time of the year. Continue reading Minestrone Soup
Hodgepodge Soup with Carrots, Fennel, Peas & Parsnips
It was a Sunday evening and I hadn’t done much by way of grocery shopping the week leading up to it, and here I was wondering what soup to make for dinner. I looked in the refrigerator and I had a little of this and little of that – i.e. little bit of carrots, two fennel bulbs, parsnips, and peas in the freezer. Hence the name hodgepodge soup for this concoction of a veggie soup. Continue reading Hodgepodge Soup with Carrots, Fennel, Peas & Parsnips
