Pickled or Cured Eggplant

Ingredients:=

1. 0.5kg of eggplant
2.  1- 2 teaspoon salt (for degorging)
3. ½ cup white vinegar
4. ½ cup water
5. 6 garlic cloves (left whole or cut in half)
6. 1 tablespoon dried oregano
7. Ground Pepper to taste
8. 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
9. fresh hot pepper(s), or 1 medium red capsicum
10. 1 whole bay leaf
11. Extra Virgin Olive oil to cover

or for alternate method:-

      1 to 2 cups apple cider vinegar


Method:

1. Cut eggplant into strips or steaks and place on a trivet or in a large metal colander,liberally salt and place a weight on top of the eggplant and degorge for a few hours.
2. Remove the eggplant and squeeze any remaining liquid out of the eggplant.
3. In a large pot, bring the vinegar and water to a boil and add the eggplant. Cook for 2-3 minutes only, to retain its crunch.  Alternatively, cover eggplant with apple cider vinegar and marinate for 2 - 4 days in a cool place.
4. Drain with weights or squeeze by hand and remove all excess liquid.
5. Place all the ingredients into a1litre jar and cover with extra virgin olive oil completely submerging the eggplant.  Place a weight to keep it submerged if needed.  Ready in 2 - 3 days, but improves with age.  Refrigerate after opening.  Use the leftover oil for salads or aromatic cooking.
6. Warning.  Ensure all equipment is completely clean (sterile) to avoid contamination/poisoning.

Inspiration:  The Italian Life for Everyone ; Green Earth Institute

Black Bean Stew (Feijoada)

Ingredients

For:  8 servings

• 1 pound dried black beans, or 4-14 ounce cans, drained
• 6 cups water
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 10 cloves garlic
• 1 cup bell pepper, (red or green, I used red)
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 cups vegetable broth, or water (optional)
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper 

Instructions

1. If you are using dried beans, sort beans to remove debris. Rinse beans and soak overnight in cold water at least 3 inches above. If using canned beans go to number 4 of recipe instructions.
2. The following day, drain and rinse beans. Place beans in a large pot with cold water.
3. Bring to boil on medium-high, cover and reduce heat to simmer until beans are tender, about one hour. Set aside.
4. Heat oil in a large pot on medium heat, add onion and saute until soft, about 3 minutes.
5. Stir in garlic, bell pepper, cumin, oregano, and bay leaves. and cook for another minute.
6. Stir in beans (along with remaining liquid if using cooked beans). If using canned beans add water or vegetable broth
7. Bring to boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally for flavors to blend. Using the back of a ladle mash some of the beans to help to make a creamy thick sauce. Add extra liquid if needed.
8. Stir in cilantro, cayenne pepper and salt to season.

Source:  Healthier Steps

Cous Cous with Char-grilled Mediterranean Vegetables

Israeli Cous Cous with Char-grilled Mediterranean Vegetables

02/03/2016 , 8:25 AM by Brad McCahon

Chef - Barney Burge

(Serves 4)

Ingredients

2 cups Israeli or Pearl Cous Cous
4 cups chicken stock
1 eggplant
1 red capsicum
2 tomatoes chopped into large chunks
1 small red onion finely diced
1 clove garlic finely diced
2 tbsp chopped flat leaf parsley
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 tbsp olive oil


Method

1. Prepare the eggplant by cutting into thick discs, brush with olive oil and place on BBQ or under grill until golden and softened.  Cut into large chunks and set aside.
2. Cut capsicum into 4 cheeks and place skin side down on BBQ or skin side up under grill.  Remove when skin is blackened and blistered.  Pop into a plastic bag and allow to steam for a few minutes then remove skin and slice into strips.
3. Heat olive oil in a large pan and saute onion and cumin seeds for 2-3 minutes until onion becomes opaque.
4. Add garlic and saute for a further minute.
5. Add Cous Cous and paprika to onion mix and stir for 2 minutes until well coated.
6. Add heated chicken stock and simmer for 8 minutes.
7. Add prepared eggplant, capsicum, tomatoes and chopped parsley.
8. Turn out onto a serving dish and garnish with a little more parsley.

Vegetarian Fried Rice

Preparation time: 15mins      Cooking time: 10mins    Serves: 6

This really is a "kitchen sink" dish and this recipe is just an example of the many ingredients that can be used and is the one I use most often.  Not mentioned here are the likes of corn kernels, celery, beans, bamboo shoots and water chestnuts.

Ingredients


2 teaspoons peanut oil
1 teaspoon sesame oil
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/2 Chinese cabbage, shredded
1 carrot, cut into matchsticks
1 cup stringles beans, trimmed

1 red capsicum, seeds removed, sliced
1 cup frozen peas
4 cups cooked Basmati or Long Grain Brown Rice
2 tablespoons light soy sauce
2 tablespoons ketjap manis* or Sweet Chilli sauce, plus extra to drizzle
1/2 cup cashew nuts, lightly toasted
1 cup of bean sprouts, trimmed
6 spring onions, thinly sliced on the diagonal

3 Eggs, lightly beaten (optional)

Method

1. Heat peanut oil in a large wok over high heat.

2. (Optional) Add egg and break up using a whisk. Cook until egg is slightly golden on edges then remove and set aside, leaving oil in wok.

3.  Add sesame oil, cabbage, carrot, peas, beans and capsicum, and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes.

4. Add rice and cook for a further 2 minutes. Add soy, ketjap manis, cashews, bean sprouts, eggs and half the spring onions, toss to combine.

5. To serve, garnish with remaining onions and drizzle with extra ketjap manis.