Eggplant Parmesan

Honestly I never thought I would be an eggplant fan. But with age I notice I am much more willing to try new things. And who woulda thunk I would actually like it. So after trying it out, I decided to make my own healthier version of eggplant parmesan.

Ingredients

• Large eggplant
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 4 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• 6 cups spaghetti sauce
• 1 (16 ounce) package mozzarella cheese, shredded and divided
• 1 cup Ricotta
• ½  cup Parmesan cheese
• ¼ Cheddar cheese
• Garlic powder
• Seasoning salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Cut eggplant into round slices and dip in egg, then in bread crumbs.
3. Heat pan and generously cover with cooking spray. Place eggplant in pan and brown on each side.
4. In baking dish spread spaghetti sauce to cover the bottom. Place a layer of eggplant slices in the sauce. Sprinkle with cheeses. Repeat with remaining ingredients, ending with the cheeses. Sprinkle basil on top.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until golden brown.
6. Serve over pasta.

Oatmeal Cookies

 

I have a ridiculous sweet tooth and just had to make some oatmeal cookies to fill the craving. These heavenly treats are soft and melt in your mouth. Have with a glass of milk and enjoy!

 Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 cups quick cooking oats

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, cream together butter, white sugar, and brown sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; stir into the creamed mixture. Mix in oats. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour.
2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. Roll the dough into walnut sized balls, and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Flatten each cookie with a large fork dipped in sugar.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Larry King bids adieu

Yesterday after 25 years at CNN, 77 year-old journalist Larry King hosted the last Larry King Live.
I quite like Larry. The suspenders, the ties, the glasses, oh and the signature Brooklyn accent. I love it all. Many a night i have held my eyes open with match sticks waiting up to see his show. Who he would interview next and how the interaction would be. The man has interviewed world leaders, celebs and even the Average Joe who has made headlines for something or another. People know they have made it when they are interviewed by Mr. King!
The thing about Larry is he isn't the "perfect journalist". He has many bloopers and flubs names on a reg. He is human! And i believe this ability to remain his dang self over the years is what has kept his ratings strong over the years.
The good thing is he promises to be back for specials on CNN. I hope so Larry.

Lentil Soup

Lentil Soup

 It is freezing outside here in New York! Fareeezin! But there is nothing like a hot cup of soup to warm you up when the temperature has taken a nose dive. One of my fave soups is Lentil. Full of flavour, its yummy, quick and easy, and I thank my friend Alicia for introducing it to me.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 4 celery stalks, chopped
• Garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper
• 2 cups lentils
• 11 cups chicken broth 
• 1 scotch bonnet pepper, chopped

Directions

• Heat the oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. 
• Add the onion, carrots, scotch bonnet and celery. 
• Add the garlic powder, salt, and pepper and saute until all the vegetables are tender, about 5 to 8 minutes. 
• Add the lentils and mix to coat. 
• Add the broth and stir. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover and simmer over low heat until the lentils are almost tender, about 30 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Voila soup is complete! Ladle into bowls and as an optional addition of flavor sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top and serve.

Black Swan

Give me a romantic comedy and I will sit with my popcorn and laugh till my tummy hurts. Cause, really I'm not a thriller movie loving kind of girl, but Black Swan may have changed all that.
It must have been the ballet that caught my eye. I used to do ballet and have slight (very slight) regret that i did not continue, but i have been wanting to see this movie ever since i heard it was being made. So happy it didn't disappoint.
From start to finish this movie had me on the edge of my seat, wondering what could possibly happen next.
Natalie Portman was, simply put...amazing. Could the golden statue (Oscar) be hers? I'm not positive yet, as i need to see the other strong contenders of the season. But one thing is for sure, she should definitely be in the running.
Oh and Barbara Hershey! I have loved her since Beaches, one of my absolute fave movies of all time! Outstanding job Babs!
This one is a must see people!

Sun dried tomato and parmesan crusted Tilapia

Sun dried tomato and Parmesan crusted Tilapia with creamed spinach and brown rice

 Another quick and easy meal to please the taste buds

Ingredients

•  tilapia fillets
•  seasoning salt (preferably Lawry's)
• 4 to 6 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• ¾ cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• garlic seasoning

1. Preheat oven to 450° F.
2. Lightly grease a pan with non-stick cooking spray.
3. Rinse fish, pat dry, coat in lemon juice and olive oil.
4. Sprinkle with seasoning salt and garlic.
5. In a bowl, mix sun-dried tomatoes, cheese.
6. Cover fish with mixture and place in pan.
7. Bake for 15 mins or until cheese topping is brown.

Prince!

Oh good God! I don't know what it is about this man that i like so much, but i really do like him. Yep in all his high heeled and permed glory I do love me some Prince! Don't judge me!
So he was on The View today looking all types of rock star sexy, and at 52 he doesn't seem to be aging at all. Go ahead with yo bad self Princey. My fave part was when Sherri said to Prince, " I have wanted to make love to you for the whole of my life!" Yes Indeed!
Oh and i loved when Dave Chapelle did a skit on Prince playing basketball back in the day... FLATLINE! Too funny!Aww Prince my unexplainable crush on you lives on.

Salmon Cookup

I love Salmon. What's more its easy to cook. Check out my quick,easy, and rather inexpensive recipe with a can of salmon as the main ingredient.

Ingredients

• 1 can of salmon
• 1 small tomato or 10 cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 sweet pepper
• 1 small onion
• 1 scotch bonnet pepper
• Garlic salt
• Black pepper
• Cooking spray

Directions

• Chop onion, sweet pepper, scotch bonnet, and tomatoes
• Open can of salmon and drain most of the liquid. 
• Remove excess skin and bones from salmon
• Add cooking spray to nonstick pan and saute onion, sweet pepper, and scotch bonnet
• Once they caramelize, add tomato and cook for another minute
• Add salmon, garlic salt and black pepper to dish and cook for another 3-4 mins
• Voila  Salmon is cooked and ready to be served over your fave starch (I chose brown rice)

Rosa Parks

On December 1, 1955 in Montgomery Alabama Rosa Parks who was 42 at the time refused to obey bus driver Jame Blake's order that she give up her seat to make room for a white passenger. I thank you for taking a stand but refusing to stand Ms. Parks. I thank you.

World AIDS Day!

As an AIDS advocate I urge everyone to know their status. Protect themselves and protect others. We only have one life to live so lets live it to the best of our abilities, but lets also do it safely.