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tomatoes, tomatoes

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Thomas

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tomatoes, tomatoes

by Thomas » Sat Aug 18, 2007 12:31 pm

Just spent two hours processing yellow and plum tomatoes for the freezer.

While I was at it, I figured I'd do something with an heirloom for lunch.

Dropped a tbl olive oil in a cast iron pan on medium heat.
Cut an eggplant into thin slices and grilled one side of the slices until they were browned--just a few minutes.
Sliced a block of cheddar into thin slices equal in number to the eggplant slices and also chopped some garlic.
Flipped the eggplant to cook on the other side, put a few pieces of garlic over each eggplant slice and then topped the eggplant with a slice of cheddar.
Cooked until the eggplant slices were browned--just a few minutes.
Sliced two heirlooms into pieces to equal the eggplant slices and ripped a few basil leaves.

When the eggplant/cheese was ready, put them on plates, topped each with a slice of tomato, ripped basil leaves, crushed black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.

Nice.
Thomas P
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Cynthia Wenslow

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Re: tomatoes, tomatoes

by Cynthia Wenslow » Sat Aug 18, 2007 12:34 pm

That sounds fantastic, Thomas!

I really should not read the FLDG before eating....
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Re: tomatoes, tomatoes

by Howie Hart » Sat Aug 18, 2007 5:14 pm

Thomas wrote:...and then topped the eggplant with a slice of cheddar....
Would this be a locally made cheddar from Central/Western NY? I picked up a great local cheddar made by the Amish at the local market recently. yum!!
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Larry Greenly

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Re: tomatoes, tomatoes

by Larry Greenly » Sat Aug 18, 2007 6:37 pm

Shut up! I'm tired of hearing about great tomatoes. I was ill this Spring and didn't get mine in until the middle of June. Still no tomatoes. >sob<
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Re: tomatoes, tomatoes

by Jenise » Mon Aug 20, 2007 2:39 pm

Nice work--eggplant parmesan brought fresh and forward. Sounds heavenly.

Jenise-who-has-yet-to-harvest-a-tomato
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Robert J.

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Re: tomatoes, tomatoes

by Robert J. » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:41 pm

Thomas, that sounds divine! I haven't been eating much dairy of late but will try this very soon.

On the flip-side, I have been doing something vaguely similar with eggplant. I cut it into 1/4" coins and salt it. When the juice is drawn out I slather it up with EVOO and sprinkle all kinds of herbs on it: basil, Italian parsely, oregano, and thyme. If I feel like having cheese I will sprinkle some Parm Reg on it. Then I bake it until it is nice and soft (400/10-15). Makes a great addition to a plate of roasted root veggies with a balsamic glaze.

rwj
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Thomas

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Re: tomatoes, tomatoes

by Thomas » Tue Aug 21, 2007 4:53 pm

Robert J. wrote:Thomas, that sounds divine! I haven't been eating much dairy of late but will try this very soon.

On the flip-side, I have been doing something vaguely similar with eggplant. I cut it into 1/4" coins and salt it. When the juice is drawn out I slather it up with EVOO and sprinkle all kinds of herbs on it: basil, Italian parsely, oregano, and thyme. If I feel like having cheese I will sprinkle some Parm Reg on it. Then I bake it until it is nice and soft (400/10-15). Makes a great addition to a plate of roasted root veggies with a balsamic glaze.

rwj


There you go again, Robert, with that salt ;)

I used to salt eggplant to draw out the juice, which I was told took out the bitterness from the eggplant. Then one day I discovered that the bitterness of eggplant is part of its appeal to me (I have a fondness for bitter and tart).
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Larry Greenly

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Re: tomatoes, tomatoes

by Larry Greenly » Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:06 am

[/quote]

There you go again, Robert, with that salt ;)

I used to salt eggplant to draw out the juice, which I was told took out the bitterness from the eggplant. Then one day I discovered that the bitterness of eggplant is part of its appeal to me (I have a fondness for bitter and tart).[/quote]

That's why I like gin and tonics. Plus they prevent malaria.
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Cynthia Wenslow

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Re: tomatoes, tomatoes

by Cynthia Wenslow » Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:32 am

Larry Greenly wrote:That's why I like gin and tonics. Plus they prevent malaria.


Which is quite an advantage in Albuquerque. 8)
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Re: tomatoes, tomatoes

by Thomas » Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:46 am

Well, I've never contracted Malaria...
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Jenise

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Re: tomatoes, tomatoes

by Jenise » Wed Aug 22, 2007 2:08 pm

I used to salt eggplant to draw out the juice, which I was told took out the bitterness from the eggplant. Then one day I discovered that the bitterness of eggplant is part of its appeal to me (I have a fondness for bitter and tart).


You know what, the bitterness thing was never an issue with me, either, Thomas, but I like salting for the textural difference--it has always seemed to me that the eggplant absorbs less oil and browns better once it's been dessicated.
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Re: tomatoes, tomatoes

by Thomas » Wed Aug 22, 2007 3:25 pm

Jenise wrote:
...it has always seemed to me that the eggplant absorbs less oil and browns better once it's been dessicated.


Definitely absorbs less oil after having been dessicated.

I cut them thin for the browning issue.
Thomas P

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