Eggplant Chips

I have never cooked with eggplant before and the first attempt was a SUCCESS! The kids tried it and weren't crazy about the skin. Luke ate the middle of each slice! I found this recipe via pinterest, but it originated here.

Ingredients:
1-2 eggplants (japanese variety....according to the recipe)
olive oil
sea salt

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice eggplant in approx 1/4 inch slices and place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. I think the parchment paper is key! Brush with olive oil and season with sea salt. Bake for about 20 minutes flipping after 10 minutes.

Jill

Quinoa Salad

I recently made this and was a HUGE fan! The kids liked it too! It might have been because I told them that quinoa is a super food! Kind of thinking they took that as giving them super hero abilities, but whatever! I found this recipe on Marci's blog and modified just a little.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup of quinoa (cooked according to package directions will yield 2 cups)
chopped cucumber
chopped red onion (1/2)
1 can of shoepeg corn
2 avocados - diced
1 can of black beans - rinsed
dash of Kosher salt
chopped cilantro (handful)
approximate 6 Tbsp of olive oil
2 Tbsp of white wine vinegar

*you could also chop up some tomatoes and add feta cheese

Combine and enjoy! I served with grilled chicken and it was awesome!

Jill

Mostaccioli

Mostaccioli
8 oz Mostaccioli noodles, cooked and drained
1 ½ lbs. ground beef
½ c. onion
1 garlic clove, minced
Brown and drain the beef, onion and garlic

Add:
1 (28 oz) tomatoes and juices
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
½ can water (use tomato paste can)

Add:
1 ¼ tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp basil
1/8 tsp pepper
1 bay leaf

Bring all to a boil and simmer 30 minutes. Remove bay leaf and stir in noodles.

Add:
2 cups (8oz) mozzarella cheese
½ c parmesan cheese
Top with parmesan cheese. May be baked at 350 for 30-35 minutes