Eggplant Caprese with Grilled Tomato and Basil Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

On the grill

• 1 (1-pound) globe eggplant, trimmed, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick rounds

• Olive oil (for grilling)

• 1 large plum tomato (about 4 ounces) 
• 
  
• For the dish

• 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil plus sprigs for garnish

• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 2 (7- to 8-ounce) balls fresh or buffalo mozzarella cheese, drained, thinly sliced

• 2 pounds (about 4 large) heirloom tomatoes (preferably assorted colors), thinly sliced

Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Arrange eggplant slices on baking sheet. Brush both sides with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. 

Place on the grill. 

Grill until slightly charred and tender, turning occasionally and moving to cook evenly, about 5 minutes. 

Transfer to foil-lined baking sheet. Grill plum tomato until skin is charred and split, turning often, about 5 minutes. Transfer to sheet with eggplant and cool. Core plum tomato; place in blender. Add chopped basil, vinegar, and 1/4 cup oil. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to small bowl. DO AHEAD Eggplant and dressing can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.

Overlap eggplant slices, cheese slices, and heirloom tomato slices on individual plates or large platter.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drizzle salad with dressing and garnish with basil sprigs.

Rate: 8 1/2 beans

Vegan & Vegetarian Food Pyramid

Home-ade Christmas Tea

A while back I was sick with a cough and I wanted something to soothe my throat. There was two teas in my cabinet, both I did not like. The reason the tea got its name is that when it's done it smells like christmas! I decided that I would take the spices in my cabinet and stir up my creative juices. The tea was so amazingly good I just had to share with the internet.

Needed:

• Cinnamon
• Allspice
• Nutmeg
• Sugar Cubes
• Honey

1. Take a wet paper towel and drape it over a tea mug. Poke a couple of holes in it with a fork. This is like a tea bag.  

   2. Put a spoon over the cup. Take the Allspice, Cinnamon, and Nutmeg and fill one spoonful of each. Then put all the spices in the "tea bag" and slowly pour water in. The spices will slowly dissolve. 

    3. Pour the water that is in the mug and put it in a pot. Put the pot on the stove top and then turn the heat up to high. Wait until it boils, so that the spices dissolve as much as possible. 

   4. Then put the tea back in the mug. Add two sugar cubes and a spoonful of honey. And your finished! Enjoy your tea, follow my blog, and/or share this recipe! 

A Little Bit About a Vegetarian Lifestyle

Being a vegetarian is a choice, not mandatory. The typical thought running through everybody's mind is that it is extremely hard to survive as a vegetarian, but you will find as you progress in vegetarianism it becomes very easy. In fact, it becomes a lifestyle. In the beginning of becoming a vegetarian, no matter if you make the exception for fish, chicken, and/or neither, it is very difficult. One week into the process I wanted to quit. I missed hearing the sizzling sound of bacon or the smell of roast beef. I didn't enjoy it, but to be honest I didn't want to show that I was weak and uncommitted. After about a month it got better. If you are younger like me than you need someone to help you cook. You should be so thankful if you have wonderful parents to make you vegetarian meals! If you are an adult cooking the meals everyday it will take a while, but in the end it will end very well. In the ending of your adventure, vegetarianism is a very suitable lifestyle for anyone and everyone!

It's been awhile...

Months have gone by and I haven't even thought about our blog! So, I'm happy to say that I am definitely starting up again. Recipes are getting more and more exciting. My next recipe will be for a tea I came up with by just throwing things in. Hoping to see you all comment, like, and/or follow us!

A Great Book: Okay, So Now Your a Vegetarian

So, you wanna become a vegetarian?

  Being a vegetarian isn't as easy as it looks. And becoming one, is even harder.  You need to have the will power. Your parents might not support you but, this is what you are putting into your body so they can't stop you. Thats advice for people not old enough to make there own decisions. I became a vegetarian with my best friend, Justine, after her papa told us all about when he worked at a slaughter house and what he had to do. He was trying to scare us and it worked. We swore to be vegetarians. Both of our parents assumed that it would last for a week at most. I have proudly been a vegetarian for two years and I don't plan on stopping it anytime soon, or anytime at all. She was on and off because being a vegetarian is very hard and expensive. Her mother also didn't approve so she had no choice but, to go back and forth. I remember when my friends mother made "meatless" chili for us one night at dinner time. The next hours were spent with stomach grumbles as loud as a corvette engine and headaches rated a 100 out of 10 in pain. Finally, her mother apologized and said that she forgot it had meat in it. My friend and I knew she was lying and that she just didn't support our decision. Their are 10 easy steps to becoming a vegetarian:

1) Have a reason (Ex. animal lover, don't like the taste, religious beliefs, staying fit and heathy, want to try something new, economics, etc.)

2) Read up! I love goveg.com, so try it even if you aren't becoming one!

3) Find a website with recipes for your every needs. ) I recommend keeping a note book of your favorite recipes and where you found them)

4) Start cutting out different meats every week and see how you do or cut it out all at once.

5) Find protein substitutions.

6) Tell friends and family and see how they react. But, if they disagree, it's still up to you.

7) FInd vegetarian foods you like and restaurants you like.

8) Talk to  your doctor and another doctor that can help you with the process.

9) Take any recipe with meat and use "fake" meat. (Ex. Morningstar)

10) Maybe organize a group of vegetarians to talk to and share recipes or look in your area for one to join!

Congrats, your a vegetarian! F0r more information, email me at hgdazzeo@gmail.com!