Crispy Eggplant with Spicy Marinara and Feta

Ingredients
1 eggplant, about 1 lb, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
2 eggs
2 tbsp milk
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp ground red pepper
1 tsp dry basil
2 cups marinara
1 cup feta cheese

Directions
1.  Mix milk and eggs in a small bowl.  Mix wheat germ, parmesan cheese, basil, and pepper in a second bowl.
2.  Dip eggplant slices in egg mixture, then coat both sides in the wheat germ mixture. 
3.  Bake on a greased cookie sheet at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.  Eggplant should be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
4.  Add red pepper to the marinara and warm over low medium heat.
5.  Top eggplant with marinara and feta cheese.

Makes 4 servings.

Mine actually looks like the picture in the book!

Recipe adapted from Better Homes and Gardens Vegetarian Cooking for Today (1993).

Recipe Find

Lately, I’ve been hearing about Green Monsters. I must admit, I’m not a huge smoothie person, but I was curious. So, I got out the blender and gave the original Green Monster a go. It wasn’t bad. It definitely wasn’t good, but it wasn’t repulsive. Of course, the recipe made like 4 cups and I wasn’t about to chug it, so down the sink it went.

This morning, I decided to tweak the recipe and give it another go.

YUM!!!

It made enough to for two cups and I had no problem drinking it all. You seriously can’t even taste the spinach in it. Plus, the health benefits are amazing. Spinach really is a superfood and since I’m not a fan of green leafies, it’s great to hide it in a drink. Anyways, here is the version I made this morning.


Strawberry Green Monster

2 cups raw spinach
1 banana
1/2 cup strawberries
1/2 cup milk
1 cup ice

194 calories, 0g fat, 7 g protein, 42 g carbs, 6 g fiber

Vit A 119%
Vit C 102%
Vit D 13%
Vit E 7%
Vit K 363%
Thiamin 11%
Riboflavin 25%
Vit B6 34%
Folic Acid 41%
Vit B12 11%
Pantothenic Acid 9%
Calcium 22%
Iron 12%
Magnesium 27%
Phosphorus 17%
Potassium 33%
Sodium 4%
Zinc 3%
Copper 9%
Manganese 47%
Selenium 7%

You could easily add in some protein powder, different fruits, and some flax or other seeds for a dose of healthy fats.  It's like having a salad for breakfast!