Happy Monday Friends!
It's been a VERY busy day here at Casa Bramasole. I spent a good portion of the afternoon at the UNC Hospital Cardiac department.
When the nurses come over and greet you with a hug, you KNOW you've been spending too much time at the hospital! Though I will tell you that the staff there is just wonderful- a caring, knowledgeable group of people that truly cares
Anyway, I was up there to get hooked up to what is known as an "event" monitor. Basically, It's a portable EKG machine that you wear constantly for 30 days that continually records whatever funky things your body is doing. The reason it's called an "event" monitor is that you're supposed to press a button on the unit if you're experiencing any strange symptoms. I couldn't help giggling (okay- I cracked up) when the doctor said "Now be SURE to push the button if you lose consciousness!"
Ummmm....okay :)
So I ended up with very little time to throw together a meatless meal for me and Allie. Our regular readers know that I TRY to be a good proponent of Meatless Monday
This past Spring I came across a wonderful little magazine in my local Market- The Farmer's Market Cookbook presented by Vegetarian Times. I've tried several of the unique and creative recipes offered here and tonight I decided to try this Laotian Eggplant since I had everything on hand. I also threw together a fresh bread pudding with corn and cheese (my mom loves it) and, because tonight is Book Club night, I made a tray of Pecan Pie Cupcakes to bring to our hostess' house. If you'd like that recipe, come join us on Facebook- it'll be posted later tonight as our latest Bonus Recipe!
Laotian Eggplant with Tomatoes, Onions, and Mint
adapted from the Farmer's Market Cookbook
2-3 TBSP olive oil
1 lb. (about 3 cups) diced Japanese eggplant
1 red onion, sliced
4 medium tomatoes, chopped (I used 5 heirlooms)
3 TBSP dark brown sugar
2 tsp lime juice
1 1/2 tsp chili garlic sauce ( I used 1 tbsp Thai chili sauce)
3 cups bean sprouts
1 8 ounce can bamboo shoots, rinsed and drained (I omitted- didn't have any)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh mint
Heat oil in large wok or cast iron skillet till hot. Add eggplant and onion and stir-fry 10 minutes till eggplant is browned. Stir in tomatoes, brown sugar, lime juice, and chili sauce . Stir-fry for 3 minutes. Add bean sprouts and bamboo shoots and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Sprinkle with mint and serve
Fresh Corn and Cheese Bread Pudding
adapted from Southern Living (I think- I don't exactly remember where I copied the original from and I've tweaked it, as usual)
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup heavy cream
3 eggs
salt and pepper
1 12 ounce loaf French bread, cut into 1 inch cubes (about 7-8 cups
4 cups fresh corn kernels
1 1/2 cups shredded Fontiago cheese (or any other cheese you'd like to try- Fontiago is what I had)
Whisk together milk, cream, eggs, salt, and pepper. Toss in bread and stir. Allow to sit for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Stir corn and cheese into bread mixture. Pour into a greased 13 x 9 pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes till set and golden on top.
Come join us as Facebook Friends- we love to hear from you all!
As Always,
Buon Cibo, Buon Amici,
Pattie and Allie
Posts
How do you have time to do all this? You are amazing. I'm tired just reading what you do in one day!
ReplyDeleteI love how you just throw something together, pecan pie cupcakes, and that corn and cheese bread pudding...OMG.....where ever you did learn that dish, I am so glad you did...it looks so very very good...
ReplyDeletePattie, I certainly hope you are ok, as always you and Allie are in our prayers.
always
Dennis
Oh, I am totally drooling over the corn bread pudding. I adore savory puddings. I hope you are okay...first Allie in the cardiac ward and now you. Was it just preventative? I guess you are supposed to push that button as you fall into unconsciousness?
ReplyDeleteYum, I am going to have to share your bread pudding recipe with my mom. she makes it every Holiday for my grandfather!
ReplyDeleteOkay...I must have missed a post or two?? You are at the cardiologist? I am so sorry...I didn't know...hope all is okay. You'll be on my mind. Take care.
Hugs~
Wendy
Yes press the button before you can't get up. With being away I must have missed something, because both Allie and you at the hospital? This is not a good month Pattie.
ReplyDeleteTasty recipes as always Pattie! I do hope things are well with you and this assessment thing you have going on! ((((hugs))))
ReplyDeleteNot one, but two, tasty recipes. You reminded me of a commercial done by a law firm here. They list a long string of conditions that might result from a specific drug usage. There is, of course, the obligatory call us if you experience any on these symptoms. Death is among the listed symptoms. Never fails to make me smile. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteThis is all you had time to "throw" together? I'd like to see what you do with a lot of time!!!!! Hope all tests turn out well and you don't have to press the button!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Bonnie
GOOD GRIEF. I just spent the last 17 hours catching up on reading your blog (and getting wicked hungry in the process) -- and now why are YOU wearing a heart monitor?
ReplyDeleteAnd BTW being able to push the button when you lose consciousness . . . that's skill, tootsie.
GREAT happiness, and hallelujahs, on Allie being cleared. Whew. Whew. Whew. Also a belated Happy Birthday to your delightful 12 year old son -- I LOVE it that he's not embarrassed and pray he keeps that quality. A secure individual -- isn't that what we hope our kids become?
Anyway -- I can't believe it's been over a week since I checked in with you -- I've missed a LOT. I hope all is well, my dear friend; you've got a very full plate right now, and a mix of blessings and worries as well.
Hugs to you -- and if I were there I would do what my Mama did whenever any of us had a challenge or a crisis -- I'd reach out and make the mark of a cross on your forehead, then kiss the spot. I swear that's what got me thru my SATs a hundred years ago.
Love -- Cass
P.S. Your grandfather was a cutie! Cass
ReplyDeleteOh dear, Pattie, I do worry about you and Allie. You truly amaze me with all the things you do in a day, and then off to book clue with cupcakes in hand! Goodness, where do you get the energy?
ReplyDeleteEverything looks so delicious! But most importantly hope your monitoring is without events.Your area has some of the best medicical facilities in country so hope you can be cleared and recovering as fast as Allie. You are all still in my prayers and thoughts.Please take care.Emelia
ReplyDeleteYou too??? You've got to be kidding! I think you are both under a lot of stress right now but I'm glad you are taking the necessary precautions.
ReplyDeletePlease take care! I love your recipes too much :)
Your meatless meal looks amazing, Pattie!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter has had to wear one of those monitors a couple of times. They discoverd what was happening and prescribed a treatment. She is doing lots better.
Pattie I want to make you laugh... I had to wear this monitor once because my blood pressure machine kept telling me "irregular heart beat" every time I took my BP. The day the doctor put it on me my husband got Yankee baseball tickets. So off we went to the game. I made a big impression going through security with wires sticking out from my shirt..lol..and then the leads kept slipping because it was hot and I was sweating so I had to keep rearranging them all game long. There were home runs and excitement the whole game. Then my husband woke up with terrible neck spasms that next morning and I had to take him to the ER. I think the technician who read my "event diary" must have been laughing their head off! Thanks goodness all was well -- I just have to limit my caffeine intake.
ReplyDeleteI hope all will be well with you! I'm sure the stress you are going through with preparing your house for a move and Allie's recent illness have been hard for you. Take good care of yourself dear one.
♥ Pat