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Spaghetti Squash Fritters

Spaghetti Squash Fritters

Spaghetti squash is delicious all by itself with a little olive oil and garlic salt, but fritters are another fun way to prepare it. These fritters may also be reheated and make a tasty savory fall appetizer during the winter months.

Baked Spicy Turnip Fries

Baked Spicy Turnip Fries

I found the most beautiful California grown turnips the other day at the store. I personally like turnip mash, but I decided to make my turnips family-friendly as I wanted these suckers consumed! Turnips have a unique pungent taste that pairs well strong spices. I…

Find Your Eyeglasses with Tile

Find Your Eyeglasses with Tile

Once on a summer vacation to Oregon, I walked across a field with knee-high tall grass not realizing my bag was open. Somewhere along the path, my eyeglasses fell out and I spent the next several hours searching unsuccessfully. (more…)

Pepper & Onion Pasta with Parmigiano Reggiano

Pepper & Onion Pasta with Parmigiano Reggiano

When I was little, my Mom would serve us spaghetti and hand us a cylinder of powdered ‘parmesan’ or what we called ‘snow’ to sprinkle on top. It may as well have been snow because it was just as flavorless.

Preparing for a home building project

Preparing for a home building project

The moment the Christmas and New Year festivities are behind us, thoughts start turning to Spring. It is a time of renewal, and many of us will be thinking of finally getting started on that project we have been contemplating for years – my recent…

Daylight Savings Time & Car Safety

Daylight Savings Time & Car Safety

The following is a sponsored post. 

Daylight savings time ends this Sunday, November 5th at 2 a.m. and I for one can’t wait for the extra hour of sleep! While I welcome the bonus snooze time in the morning, the early darkness often throws my schedule out of whack. (more…)

Creating a Food Friendly Event with Selectivor

Creating a Food Friendly Event with Selectivor

I put a lot of love and thought into my meal planning when I entertain. While I do ask my guests if they have any food allergies, sensitivities or preferences, sometimes I forget– or worse, my guests will not tell me about foods they just…

Ideas for World Kindness Day – November 13th, 2017

Ideas for World Kindness Day – November 13th, 2017

Kindness should be practiced every day, as it feels great to give!  However, every November 13th is celebrated as World Kindness Day around the world! The World Kindness Day was introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement. Although the theme of this day is…

Spicy Garlic Ginger Chinese Eggplant

Spicy Garlic Ginger Chinese Eggplant

I happened to find a huge stash of long purple Chinese Eggplants (California grown) at our local Korean market yesterday, so instantly I had a craving for warm, spicy eggplant over rice.

Chinese eggplants are typically long, slender and very compact. If they have seeds, they are very small and almost unnoticeable.

You Will Need

  • 3 Chinese Eggplants, Cut in Rounds
  • 2 Large Garlic Cloves, Diced
  • 1 Tablespoon Diced Fresh Ginger, Diced
  • 1 Teaspoon of Red Pepper Flakes (or more if you like spicy)
  • 2-3 Tablespoons Sesame Seed Oil
  • 1/2 Cup Water
  • 1/2 Green Onions Diced
  • Soy Sauce

How to Prepare

Wash eggplants with hot water and slice into 1-inch1 inch rounds. Most recipes will have you put in a hot oiled pan, but I prefer to steam my eggplant a bit before the oil is added. This helps keep the oil amount down and makes the eggplant juicy.

Add 1/2 cup of water to pan and put heat on medium high. Add eggplant and simmer until water is all gone. Add 1-2 tablespoons of sesame oil so it coats the pan and eggplant. Let it saute for about 5 minutes, stir often. As the eggplant starts to soften, create a well in the center of the eggplant in the pan.

As the eggplant starts to soften, create a well in the center of the eggplant in the pan.  Add more sesame oil and add in the garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes.

Saute the center ingredients for 2 minutes and then mix in with everything. Eggplant should still be moist. If you want to add a little more oil, go ahead, but keep in mind the eggplant will release moisture as it continues to cook.

Still in green onions and continue to cook for 2 more minutes. Season with soy sauce, salt and pepper as needed.

Serve over hot rice or plain – it’s a lovely side dish! I like to add more diced green onion for color when serving. Enjoy!

Even small amounts of fruit and vegetables are beneficial

Even small amounts of fruit and vegetables are beneficial

A new study—the first of its kind—explains how even moderate intake of fruit, vegetables and legumes may lower a person’s risk of heart disease and death. This is good news for those who think they can’t afford (or like) to get the recommended amount of…

Essential Things To Pack with Honest Teas® & Simple Truth®

Essential Things To Pack with Honest Teas® & Simple Truth®

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, INC. and The Coca-Cola Company, all opinions are mine alone. #RefreshinglyHonestSnacks  #CollectiveBias The school year is upon us, and if you’re like me, your calendar is already full for the foreseeable future.  I find the best way…

Halloween Food: Full Moon Squash Over Purple Potato Sky

Halloween Food: Full Moon Squash Over Purple Potato Sky

Having a Halloween themed dinner? This is the perfect fun (& healthy) side to make to accompany your haunted meal! (more…)