Sometimes I Am Really Late Writing!

So I have been a bit preoccupied with hanging out with my niece during the day and with my upcoming trip to COSTA RICA with one of my most favorite people in the world and with my attempt to get in a little better shape so I survive a half marathon after only a little over three weeks of running....this could get ugly!

Those are my excuses for slacking.  I apologize.  It will happen again, so I apologize again in advance!  Life gets busy, especially when the weather is finally nice!

Alright.  To the actual food and the awesome day before we made the delicious food.

Jeff bought a Groupon voucher for Tea at The Pierre Hotel and we went on a Sunday.  The tea started with some bubbly....delicious!    

Then we got our delicious sandwiches, scones, and cookies!  They were sooooooo good!  

Followed by our tea....both teas were delicious, but Jeffy chose best with The Pierre Blend.  You have to get it if you go!

Jeffy is a particularly adorable tea drinker!  

Then we took a goofy picture of me in the hotel....the Garmin watch goes very well with my dress, don't you think?

Finally we headed home.  We walked through Central Park back to the west side (aka the best side!) because we were so full from the goodies that we needed to stretch a bit!  We found a very steep slide and Jeffy was brave enough to go down it!

Jeffy being brave!

Then....after we walked about two miles and went shopping, we finally made it home.  We were definitely not in the mood for something heavy, so we made EGGPLANT PIZZAS!  We used the sauce I had already made the day before (Delicious Sauce Recipe!) instead of a jarred sauce.

To make eggplant pizza, you begin by preheating the oven to 425.  Then you cut the eggplant, beginning by removing the ends.  I slice mine in half so I can easily "peel" the skin off without losing too much of that delicious eggplant.  I use a knife to remove/"peel" the skin away because, although the purple skin is beautiful, it is a bit tough to eat.  

I halve the eggplant, then use a knife to slice the skin
away without losing much of the actual eggplant.

After removing the skin, you cut the eggplant into disks between 3/4 of an inch to a full inch thick.  Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt.  Bake the disks for 12 to 20 minutes depending on their width.  Ours were small and our oven was fully heated, so they only needed 12 minutes.  

Pre-cooking to remove some moisture.

Post-cooking

Take the eggplant out of the oven and turn on the broiler.  Top each disk with a spoonful of sauce and sprinkle with either shredded mozzarella or Parmesan cheese and place under broiler for three to five minutes.  I recommend finishing each "pizza" disk with a basil leaf, but we just planted ours, so we don't have any yet!

Pre-broiling with sauce and cheese! 

Post-broiling deliciousness!

I topped mine with red pepper flakes and some oregano.
I recommend basil, but our "garden" has just started!

Here is our basil garden - we also have cilantro and I cannot wait to make some Chicken Taco Pizza!

Basil "garden" day one....

Also, this entry was proofread by Lisa, so if there are any typos/issues, please send all comments her way!

Lisa working on the blog!

Here is the recipe:

Eggplant Pizza

Ingredients

- Jarred sauce or THIS DELICIOUS SAUCE

- One or two medium or large eggplants 

- Shredded cheese - mozzarella or Parmesan works well, but whatever you like!

- Olive Oil

- Salt

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 425.

2.  Cut the ends of the eggplant off, then slice it in half (or thirds if very large).  Remove the skin with a knife (picture above!).

3.  Take "peeled" eggplant and cut into disks of about 3/4 of an inch to 1".   Place the disks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.  Sprinkle a little salt over each disk as well.

4.  Bake the eggplant for 12 to 20 minutes depending on size.  The purpose of this baking is to cook it through and remove some moisture.  

5.  Remove them from the oven and turn on the broiler.  

6.  Top with a spoonful of sauce on each disk and sprinkle with your choice of cheese.  

7.  Broil for three to five minutes.  

8.  Season with basil, red pepper flakes, and/or oregano.

9.  Enjoy!