I FEEL LIKE COOKING
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • #fabin40
    • Appetizers and Starter Recipes
    • Soups and Salad Recipes
    • Side Dish Recipes
    • Main Course Recipes
    • Miscellaneous Recipes
    • Desserts and Treats Recipes
    • Photo Gallery
  • Blog
  • About
  • Connect
    • Resources
    • Giving Back
    • Learn
    • The Common Cook Education Series

what I'm making right now...

The meat, the marinara, the cheese! ...That moment when you gotta say, "Momma-Mia!"

7/7/2017

0 Comments

 
Many of us quibble about the question, "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" But it seems to me there is a larger issue here that asks who cares about eggs OR chickens unless they're under a marinara sauce??? In fact, do we really need anything BUT the marinara? Why, the discovery of tomatoes is when the clap of consciousness MUST have occurred. At least if you love Italian food. And who doesn't???

According to Fork and Plate, Marinara sauce originated in southern Italy, with both Naples and Sicily being cited as its possible birthplace. It could not have been invented before the 16th century when tomatoes, a New World food, arrived in Europe, since the first mention of tomatoes in Italy dates to the mid-1600s. And even though the 1600's are not necessarily synonymous with the Big Bang in terms of calculating the history of the universe, I think we all consider it one of the greatest inventions of all time.
Picture
Choosing something with a marinara, and in this case with meat added, is the perpetual brilliant idea. It's as though when we suggest it, the whole room looks at us like we've just written the screenplay for the next Oscar winning film. You hear things like, "Oh my GOSH! That sounds good. What a GREAT idea!!!...And maybe that's because tomatoes are more than a fruit, they make us feel good. As John Thorne writes in a blog on Saveur, "Tomatoes were born to give pleasure."

Tomatophogia, or the actual craving for tomatoes is based on some pretty scientific stuff. We know that lycopene is important for keeping us healthy with the benefits of tomato-noshing far exceeding any small reason NOT to eat them. Speaking of cravings, check out this amazing blog called Organic Daily Post. It is brimming with some of the best content, videos, and how-to out there on food, herbs, oils, and nutrition. It is here you can discover the 'right' way to start tomatoes from seeds. (A must try if you happily suffer from tomatophogia!)

But let's get back to the post. And my recipe. And why you read my website: YUMMY FOOD!

AHHH, AND what better vehicle to transport us into our "vivid Italian-ness" than eggplant? Especially when it's wrapped around ricotta cheese and smothered in the sauce of the gods? Ah yes, ahhhh.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Here's the best news. If you're not feeling like making your own sauce, although I highly recommend it, you can have these beauties ready in just an hour or so with a quality bottled version. Don't believe me? I double dog dare you to try this recipe yourself. You'll be swaying and saying "Mama-Mia!" in no time.

RECIPE: Ricotta Parmesan Stuffed Eggplant with Meat Sauce

Serves 4 - 6 / Click here for printable version.
Picture
Picture
  • Ingredients
  • Method
<
>
2 medium to large eggplant, more tall than wide
1 15 oz. tub whole milk ricotta
1 heaping 1/3 C fresh grated parmesan
½ t fresh grated nutmeg
½ lb. 80% lean ground beef
1 24 oz. bottle spaghetti sauce (I used Bertoli organic with onion and garlic or make my recipe by clicking here! )
5+ T kosher salt
½ t cracked black pepper
3 large garlic cloves, chopped finely
1/3 C white sweet onion chopped finely
…and just keep a bottle of olive oil handy. You’ll need it!
LOTS of fresh basil for topping the mixture before baking, and for the garnish when plated.
Slice off the top and bottom of the eggplant so you can stand it on end easily. Cut it into long slices, about ¼ inch thick. You will need about 10 to 12 good slices. Don’t use but don’t discard the outside slices with the skin on…go ahead and chop them into 1/4 inch cubes for adding to the meat sauce. Now, place all the eggplant in a large bowl and GENEROUSLY rub with salt. Seriously…think of a salt scrub in the shower. GO FOR IT. Make sure they’re covered by using your hands. Now place them in a colander inside another bowl and let rest for 20 minutes while the moisture drains. Drain the liquid, RINSE the pieces thoroughly, pat them completely dry with paper towels and lay them out on a large, slightly oiled baking sheet (they can touch a bit so you can fit them all on one sheet), and rub them with a bit more oil. NO SALT. Bake in a 425 degree F oven for 13 minutes. Remove and let come to room temperature so you can touch them. Lower the oven temp to 375 degrees F for later and keep oven on if you’d like.
While eggplant is baking, pour about 1 T oil into a large sauce pan. When almost to smoke point, add the meat and break it up to cook it. Let it brown slightly on medium high heat. Add the onion and the chopped eggplant pieces, about 1 t kosher salt, and stir until onion is translucent and eggplant is cooked. About 4 – 5 minutes. Now add the garlic, stir and let get fragrant. Add the whole bottle of sauce, and stir well. Lower heat to let it simmer and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring often.
In a large bowl combine the ricotta, the parmesan, about ½ t kosher salt, the black pepper, and the nutmeg. Stir well and set aside.
To assemble. Put about 1 to 1 ½ C sauce on the bottom of a greased glass baking dish. I find that a size close to about 7” by 10” worked great for me. Place 1 of the slices of eggplant on an oiled surface (Not the counter. It will stick!), place about ¼ - 1/3 C of the cheese mixture at one end. Roll up and place seam side down on the meat mixture. Repeat until all 12 eggplant have been stuffed and arranged evenly in the dish. Cover with the rest of the meat sauce, sprinkle generously with torn or chopped basil, and cook for 20 minutes, or until bubbly but not burning.
Remove, serve and garnish with more basil!
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.


    Picture
    CLICK to find us on FACEBOOK!
    Searching for a special recipe? Use ingredients as KEY words and find one of our delicious recipes FAST!

    RSS Feed


    Meet the Cook...

    My name is Camine Pappas  and I love to create beautiful and delicious food that anyone can make. My signature style centers around a love for combining things in a way you might not expect as I work to find a hidden combination of colors, textures and flavors from the things that are in my pantry and/or easy to obtain.

    Want to get spontaneous with me? It's pretty exciting. Let's all find out what happens when, "I Feel Like Cooking."

    Archives

    March 2021
    February 2021
    May 2020
    June 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013

    Categories

    All
    12 Winter Recipes
    Acorn Squash
    Anise Glaze
    Appetizers
    Apple Butter
    Apple Butter Walnut Spice Cookies
    Apple Rice Salad
    Apples
    Arctic Char
    Artichoke Hearts
    Artichoke Stuffed Chicken
    Asian
    Asian Sauces
    Bacon
    Bad Experiments With Food
    Baked Beans
    Baked Chicken
    Baked Cod
    Baked Fish
    Bananas
    Bean Stew
    Beef Gravy
    Beef Sate
    Beef Stew
    Beets
    Bing Cherry Cookies
    Biscuits
    Black Beans
    Blackberries
    Blueberries
    Blueberry Muffins
    Blueberry Pie
    Blueberry Sauce
    Bourbon Bread Pudding
    Bourbon Caramel Sauce
    Brandied Cherries
    Bread Pudding
    Bread Sticks
    Breakfast
    Broccoli Slaw
    Brown Rice
    Brown Sugar Chicken
    Brown Sugar Pork Ribs
    Brunch
    Bruschetta
    Brussel Sprouts
    Burgers
    Butter
    Butternut Squash
    Cactus Pear
    Candied Beets
    Cantaloupe And Oranges
    Caramel
    Caramelized Bananas
    Carnitas
    Carrot
    Cauliflower
    Cheese
    Cheese Pasta
    Cheese Stuffed Chicken
    Cherries
    Cherry Chutney
    Chicken
    Chicken Burgers
    Chili
    Chipotle Chicken
    Chocolate
    Chocolate Chip
    Chocolate Muffins
    Chowder
    Christmas
    Chutney
    Cinnamon Rolls
    Coconut Milk
    Cod
    Coffee Chili Steak Rub
    Cognac Roasted Veggies
    Cold Vegetable Salad
    Comfort Food
    Cookies
    Cooking With Friends
    Cooking With Wine
    Corn Muffins
    Corn Pudding
    Corn Salad
    Cranberries
    Cranberry
    Cranberry Chocolate Cookies
    Creamy Soup
    Creamy Zucchini Soup
    Crepes
    Cuban Inspired
    Cucumber Relish
    Cucumber Salad
    Custard
    Date Muffins
    Dates
    Desserts
    Diet
    Dinner
    Easy Dinners
    Easy Soups
    Eggplant
    Enchilada Hand Pies
    Enchiladas
    #fabin40
    Farmers Market
    Fennel
    Figs
    Filet Mignon
    Fire Roasted Tomatoes
    Fish Sauce
    Football Food
    Fried Eggplant
    Fried Green Tomatoes
    Fruit
    Garnishes
    Ginger
    Gingersnaps
    Girlfriends
    Gluten Free
    Golumpkies
    Granny Smith Apples
    Grapefruit Pear Slaw
    Grape Relish
    Halibut
    Hand Pies
    Heirloom Carrots
    Heirloom Tomatoes
    Herb Butter Roasted Chicken
    Herbs De Provence
    Holiday Recipes
    Ice Cream
    Indian Food
    Italian Chicken
    Italian Food
    Italian Meatballs
    Jalapenos
    Jam
    Kalamata Olives
    Lake Norman Magazine
    Lamb
    Lamb Meatballs
    Lamb Stew
    Lemon
    Lemon Cookies
    Lemon Cream Sauce
    Lemon Crumble Bars
    Lemon Custart
    Lemon Pasta
    Lemon Tart
    Lemon Thyme
    Lemon Vinaigrette
    Lentil Salad
    Lime Ginger Honey Syrup
    Lime Juice
    Ling Cod
    Main Dishes
    Mandarin Oranges
    Maple Bourbon Plum Sauce
    Maple Syrup
    Marinara
    Meatballs
    Meatloaf
    Meat Loaf
    Meat Sauce
    Mendelbrot
    Mexican Food
    Microgreens
    Minestrone Soup
    Mini Pepper Poppers
    Mint
    Mint Caper Salsa
    Mirepoix
    Muffins
    Mushrooms
    Mushroom Soup
    Nectarine Spice Cake
    No Bake Cookies
    Oatmeal
    Omelet
    Orange Cheesecake Squares
    Orange Rosemary Glazed Tri-color Carrots
    Oranges
    Orzo Pasta
    Pad Thai
    Pancakes
    Parmesan Chicken
    Pasta
    Pasta Salad
    Pastry
    Pastry Class
    Paula Deen Quick Rolls
    Peach Galettes
    Peanut Bean Sprout Fried Rice
    Peanut Butter Cookies
    Peanut Butter Mousse
    Peanut Crusted
    Pecan Scones
    Penzeys
    Pesto
    Pesto Mashed Potatoes
    Pickled Slaw
    Pie Disasters
    Pineapple
    Pineapple Salsa
    Pizza
    Pizza Dough
    Plum Sauce
    Poached Fish
    Poached Pears
    Poblano Peppers
    Pork Belly
    Pork Carnitas
    Pork Chops
    Pork Loin
    Pork Or Chicken Salad
    Pork Ramen Stir Fry
    Port
    Port Wine
    Port Wine Reduction
    Potatoes
    Potato Gratins
    Pot Pies
    Pound Cake
    Preserves
    Prosciutto
    Proscuitto
    Puff Pastry
    Pumpkin Buttermilk Cake
    Pumpkin Buttermilk Glaze
    Pumpkin Muffins
    Pureed Parsnips
    Purple Asparagus
    Purple Sweet Potatoes
    Quinoa
    Radicchio
    Radish Fennel Salad
    Raisins
    Rice-a-roni Beef Soup
    Ricotta
    Risotto
    Roasted Beet Salad
    Roasted Tomatoes
    Roasted Vegetables
    Rosemary Chicken
    Rules For Dieting
    Salad-dressing
    Salmon
    Salmon Patties
    Salsa
    Sausage
    Sausage Casserole
    Sausage Rolls
    Sauteed Fish
    Scone
    Seafood
    Sesame Oil
    Shortcake
    Shortcut Desserts
    Shrimp
    Shrimp Linguini
    Side Dish
    Side Dishes
    Slow Cooker
    Slow Roasted Chicken
    Snap Peas
    Soup
    Soups
    Sour Cream Raisin Pie
    Southern Fried Chicken
    Spaghetti
    Spanish Rice
    Speculoos Cookie Butter
    Spicy Orange Chicken
    Spinach
    Sriracha Sauce
    Steak
    Stew
    Stews
    Stir Fry
    Strawberries
    Strawberry Glaze
    Stuffed Manicotti
    Stuffed Peppers
    Stuffed Puff Pastry
    Sugar Cookies
    Superbowl Food
    Sweetened Condensed Milk
    Sweet Peppers
    Sweet Pickle Vinaigrette
    Sweet Potatoes
    Sweet Potato Pancake
    Syrup
    Taco
    Thai Flavors
    Thai Peanut Sauce
    Tilapia
    Tomatoes
    Trail Mix
    Trout
    Truffles
    Turkey And Ground Beef
    Turkey Meatballs
    Turnips
    Twisted Puff Pastry Rounds
    Tzatziki Sauce
    Veal Stew
    Vegetables
    Vegetable Salads
    Vinaigrette
    Vodka Sauce
    Wedding Food
    White Chocolate
    White Fudge
    White Wine Cream Sauce
    Yellow Split Peas
    Yogurt
    Zoodles
    Zucchini

Home

RECIPES

BLOG

Connect

Copyright © 2018, Camine Pappas, All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • #fabin40
    • Appetizers and Starter Recipes
    • Soups and Salad Recipes
    • Side Dish Recipes
    • Main Course Recipes
    • Miscellaneous Recipes
    • Desserts and Treats Recipes
    • Photo Gallery
  • Blog
  • About
  • Connect
    • Resources
    • Giving Back
    • Learn
    • The Common Cook Education Series