Tag: Grilled fruit and vegetables

Back to School! Superfood Quinoa Eggplant Involtini!

#MeatlessMonday
#MeatlessMonday

Quinoa is a superfood packed with nine amino acids making it a complete protein. Although this is common in meats, plants do not typically contain complete proteins. Quinoa comes most commonly in red, black and white. Quinoa has a nutty taste and the white cooks the fluffiest with a more rice-like texture.

Quinoa needs rinsed before cooking. It absorbs the water and is ready to eat!
Quinoa needs rinsed before cooking. It absorbs the water and is ready to eat!

I frequently substitute quinoa for meat, as well as rice. Give your family a healthier alternative and more energy!!

Photo by Amy Wilson Photography Http://www.amywilsonphotography.com
Photo by Amy Wilson Photography
Http://www.amywilsonphotography.com

Superfood Quinoa Eggplant Involtini
(Inspired by Mary Ann Esposito of Ciao Italia)

Ingredients:
2 Medium eggplant, slices 1/4 inch thick
1/2 cup quinoa
1-1/2 cup water
2 cloves of garlic, pressed
2 tbsp. Aroma seasoning by Ciao Pittsburgh (OR 1 tsp. oregano, 1 tsp. basil, 1 tbsp.parsley)
Salt/pepper
2 tbsp. Olive oil
1 6 oz. can tomato paste
1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Bring water to a boil in a saucepan and add quinoa.

Cook on low heat until water is absorbed.

Add tomato paste, spices, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Mix well.

This is the quick filling version. If you have a few extra minutes sauté the garlic with some finely chopped onions and peppers.  (1 small onion 1 small pepper)
This is the quick filling version. If you have a few extra minutes sauté the garlic with some finely chopped onions and peppers. (1 small onion 1 small pepper)

Coat a baking sheet with olive oil, place eggplant slices on sheet and brush tops with olive oil.

Bake the eggplant slices until they are bendable, perfectly rollable.
Bake the eggplant slices until they are bendable, perfectly rollable.

Bake 15 mins. or until eggplant is softened.

Let cool and stuff with quinoa mixture. (Place mixture in the middle and roll.) You will be surprised by the malleability of the eggplant after being baked.

Quinoa filling!
Quinoa filling!

Coat a casserole dish with olive oil. Place rolls in a single layer, drizzle olive oil on the tops, and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

This recipe fed our family of four as a Meatless Monday main course served with a side of broccoli.
This recipe fed our family of four as a Meatless Monday main course served with a side of broccoli.

Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Take foil off for the last 5 minutes.

The flavors are incredible!
The flavors are incredible!

Serve as a side dish or with a salad or vegetable!

Ciao!

 

 

Gourmet Grilled Fruit! Why not?

Island grilled mangoes and papaya with a rum butter sauce, Exotic grilled pear salad with goat cheese and balsalmic drizzle…These menu items can be found in high end eateries all of over the world! They sound ultra sexy and complicated, right? They are not! These delicious tastes can easily be replicated at home in your kitchen!!

Restaurant taste at home!
Restaurant taste at home!

Fruit is made up of sugars and water. Grilling fruit takes out some of the water and caramelizes the natural sugars leaving delicious sweet fruit with a charred texture. This method is quick and easy, and the delicious grilled fruit leaves our taste buds craving more!

Hard fruits are easier to grill. They won’t get mushy and fall apart on you. My favorites are apples, pears and pineapple!

Grill fruit as an appetizer, side, salad topper or skewer it with veggies, meat or fish!
Grill fruit as an appetizer, side, salad topper or skewer it with veggies, meat or fish!

One of our breakfast favorites is grilled peaches! (With a squirt of whipped cream!)

Grilled Peaches

Ingredients:
(Yields 4 servings)

4 Sliced white and yellow peaches
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tbsp.cinnamon
1 tbsp. nutmeg

Directions:

Clean grill grate and spray with non stick cooking spray. (Olive oil is too strong for these fruits and will leave a dull taste. If anything use a little butter.)

Dust fruit with the spice mix.

Because the peaches are juicy, they caramelize quickly! Don't leave them on too long!
Because the peaches are juicy, they caramelize quickly! Don’t leave them on too long!

Grill the fruit on medium heat until it is softened to your liking.(Pierce with a fork. The fruit should be cooked but still firm.) Approx. 4 minutes per side.

OR grill them in a frying pan! Peaches are soft enough to be cooked quickly right on the stove!

A breakfast treat! Hold the pastries!
A breakfast treat! Hold the pastries!

Don’t forget a fabulous cheese pairing! Grilled pears are delicious with goat cheese or a creamy fontina, while grilled apples are most delicious when served with Gruyere or Brie.

Enjoy!
Ciao!