Growing up in an Italian household, my mom used to make fried eggplant that was dusted with white flour and Italian spices. My sisters and I used to stand at the stove and wait for them to come out of the frying pan.  They were delicious!  Have any of you shared a similar experience?Â
Well, it seems that eggplant had become non-existent in my current household until I discovered this recipe on the Sweet Cheeks website (yes, it’s totally G-rated).Â
 The first time I made the recipe I followed the instructions exactly, but we found it to be a little dry.  After a few modifications, the end result is a combination of eggplant, tomatoes and cayenne pepper that provides a welcome burst of flavor for your tastebuds! Below is the “doctored up” Coach Lis version of this recipe:
Ingredients
2 large eggplants
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup onion, chopped
1 teaspoon crushed garlic
1-28 oz can diced tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup almond flour
1/2 cup grated parmesan, romano, or asiago cheese
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Peel the  eggplants and dice. Set aside. Add three tablespoons of olive oil to skillet and sauté onions and garlic for 2 minutes over medium heat. Add eggplant pulp, tomatoes, thyme, cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper to taste and cook over medium-high heat until the majority of the moisture evaporates, which is about 30 minutes, and you are left with a stew-like mixture.
As the eggplant stew is cooking, brown the beef in a separate skillet. Now is also the time to preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Once the eggplant mixture is finished, take off the heat and mix in the cooked beef. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and sprinkle the top with almond flour and cheese.  Bake in the oven for 25 minutes.
Servings: four dinner-size portions
As always, post your meals or any questions to Comments.
Spicy Eggplant Dinner-In-A-Dish
July 10th, 2010
Growing up in an Italian household, my mom used to make fried eggplant that was dusted with white flour and Italian spices. My sisters and I used to stand at the stove and wait for them to come out of the frying pan.  They were delicious!  Have any of you shared a similar experience? 
Posted in 
Welcome to the Nutrition Blog, Ashley. Way to go on posting your meals! (sorry it took a few days for your posts to appear)
7-10-10
11.5 hrs of sleep. Aaahhhhhh!!!Â
1 sausage burritoÂ
2. Pf chaings lettuce wraps and ahi tuna 2 slices
3. Almonds, and apple slicesÂ
4. 10 oz fillet and salad w asparagus
Too many vodka drinks with friends
Some wine water, diet coke,  resveratrol
2010-07-10
07:00 AM – 5 blocks
5eggs, 1slice wheat bread, 1tsp peanut butter 2g fish oil
12:00 PM – 5 blocks
1 tostada bowl, 2tbs refried beans, 5oz ground beef, 2 slices cheese, 2c romaine lettuce, 2c spinach, 3 tbs guacamole, .25c salsa, .25c tomatoes, 1tbs ranch dressing, 2g fish oil.
02:30 PM – 1 block
2oz cashews, 1 slice cheese, 8 almonds, 2g fish oil
06:00 PM – 5 blocks
1 slice wheat bread, 3tbs peanut butter, 6.4 oz tuna in sunflower oil
09:00 PM – 1 block
1 boiled egg, 1c watermelon, 8 almonds, 2g fish oil
7/10/10
9 hours sleep
1: 4 slices bacon, 4 eggs scrambled w/ salsa & cheese
2: 2 slices Ham, 8 cheese cubes, & cucumber
3: Fajitas Texanos at LaRoca with guacamole, sour cream, cheese, lettuce, & tomato no tortillas, beans, or rice.
4 Fish Oil
Water & Diet Mtn. Dew
7-11-10
5.5 hrs of sleep.
1 eggs, sausage patty
2. Post wod protein shake
3. 1 grilled chicken tender
4. Tomato slices with 3oz mozerellaÂ
   Steak, grilled zucchiniÂ
 diet coke,  resveratrol, waterÂ
7/11/10
7 hours sleep
1: 2 eggs w/ cheese & 4 slices of bacon
2: 2 slices ham & 8 cheese cubes
3: Three cheese sausage & broccoli slaw
4 Fish Oil
Water & Tea
7/10/10
9hrs sleep
PWOD chocolate milk
1: 4 slices center cut bacon, 1 hb egg, peanuts
2: chicken enchildia with 1 flour tortilla, green beans
3: cottage cheese, grapes
water, 3g fish oil, 2000iu vitamin D, crystal light
7/11/10
9.5 hrs sleep
1: 5 slices center cup bacon, carb master yogurt with raspberries, glass of milk
PWOD chocolate milk
2: 4oz hamburger patty with cheese, zuccinni, handful of grapes, mixed nuts
3: tuna with two tsp light mayo, green beans, apple, peanuts
3g fish oil, 4000iu vitamin D, water, crystal light
2010-07-11
07:00 AM – 5 blocks
4 eggs, 1oz ham, 1c blueberries, 2c strawberries, 1/2c pineapple, 15 almonds, 2g fish oil
12:00 PM – 5 blocks
1 tostada bowl, 1/4c refried beans, 1/4c salsa, 5oz ground beef, 1/4c guacamole, 1c spinach, 1c lettuce, 1tbs ranch, 2g fish oil
04:00 PM – 1 blocks
06:00 PM – 5 blocks
Mexican Beef Fajita
09:00 PM – 1 blocks
1boiled egg, 4 almonds, 1/2 grapes
6 hrs sleep
Sunday, July 11
8 hrs sleep
1- scrambled eggs, ham, eZekiel toast, coffee
2- coach Lis’ shake
3- 6 oz grilled chicken breast, broccoli
supplements: mv pack, ginseng, 4g fish oil
Monday 7/12/10- 9 hrs sleep
)
1: oh yeah shake
2: 3oz ham, celery sticks with pb
3: BLT salad dressing on side; 2 bud lights (rough Monday
4: Spicy Eggplant- excellent recipe, only ended up using 1 large eggplant after I got it all diced up that is all that fit in my pan and it turned out great. I do need clarification of how much a dinner size portion is, b/c I wanted to eat the whole thing myself! Thanks for another great recipe!
water, crystal light, 4g fish oil, 4000iu vitamin D
7/12/10
5hrs of sleep
5:45 – 4 whole eggs, 4 slices of ham
10:30 – 1 banana, handful pecans
12:15 – 3 Grilled Chicken Go Wraps
5:00 – Pre WOD 16oz Blue Goodness Smoothie
6:30 – Post WOD Joe’s Choco Milk
8:00 – Joe’s Chicken Wrap [1 can chicken breast (I think), shredded cheese, Mustard, Whole Wheat Wrap, 2 slices of Ham]
Supps – fish oil 9g, MV, Calcium + Vit D 2.4g
Coffee, Water, Diet Coke, Cool Aid
Mon, July 12
9 hrs sleep
1- homeblended whey protein shake
2- 1c mixed nuts/raisins
3- 5 oz. sliced deli turkey, 2 HB eggs, 1 LF string cheese
4- 1c mixed nuts/raisins, black coffee
5- 1c baked spaghetti, 6 oz turkey burger, salad
6- 1 glass redwine, 1 oz dark chocolate (85% cocoa)
supplements: mv pack, ginseng, ginko, 4g fish oil
Welcome to the Firebreather nutrition site, Joe J. I look forward to meeting you!
7-12-10
  9 hrs of sleep.
1 2 pc turkey sausage slice cheese habenaro jack
2. 5pc shrimp cocktail, almonds
3. Post-WOD protein shake with water
4. 2oz chicken, 2 plums
 diet coke (only 1 today, I’m working on eliminating the rest and maybe getting rid of the one every morning),  you know to try and be more “paleo” but this is very difficult.Â
Does resveratrol mesh on paleo diet?, waterÂ
7/12/10
7.5 hours of sleep
1: Carbmaster Yogurt
2: Pepperoni & Cheese
3: Four Cheese Chicken Sausage & Green Beans
4: Salad & Roasted Chicken
Water, Tea, & Diet Mtn. Dew
4 Fish Oil
7/12/10
only about 4 hours of sleep, didn’t feel well
Meal 1: veggie and cheese fritatta, ham
Meal 2: 1 serving of mixed nuts
Meal 3: post wod G3 protein recovery drink
Meal 4: 2 servings of mixed nuts
Meal 5: AdvantEdge shake
1 mv, 4g. fish oil, resveratrol, water, Diet Pepsi, coffee
July 12:
7.5 hours of sleep
Meal 1: Greek yogurt with pecans
Meal 2: handful of nuts
Meal 3: chicken nuggets
Meal 4: handful of nuts
Meal 5: post-WOD 8 oz. chocolate milk
Meal 6: 2 scrambled eggs with shredded cheese and 2 pieces bacon
Meal 7: a few chocolate covered espresso beans and a handful of nuts
Coffee, Iced Tea, Water, 3 grams Fish Oil
7/13/10
12 hours of sleep
1: Chocolate Milk
2: Pepperoni & Cheese
3: Chicken & Broccoli Slaw
4: Carbmaster Yogurt
5: Chicken Sausage & Broccoli w/ cheese
Tea & Water
4 Fish Oil
7/13/10
8 hrs sleep
1: 2 scrambled eggs, 2 turkey sausage links, carb master yogurt, raspberries, coconut milk
2: spicy eggplant dish, cantaloupe
3: cucumber, 3oz ham, almonds
4 pieces cantaloupe
PWOD chocolate milk
4: butter chicken recipe from Mark’s Daily apple website, apple
3g fish oil, 4000iu vitamin D, water, crystal light
Thanks for the Welcome Skip! I look forward to meeting you as well.
7/13/2010
6 hrs of Sleep
5:45 – 2 small pancakes, 4 slices of ham, 1 banana
1:30 – Mediterranean Chicken Wrap, Peta Bite
7:00 – Post WOD Skim Milk + Protein Powder (2 scoops)
8:30 – 2 Baked Pork Chops, 1/2c White Navy Beans
Coffee, Water, Diet Coke, Sweet Tea
Supps – fish oil 9g, mv, Calcium 2.4g, Vit D 1600IU
July 13, 2010
1. Greek Yogurt with fresh blueberries and pecans
2. green apple slices with peanut butter
3. ham/cheese/lettuce on a 100 cal. whole wheat sandwich round with garlic herb mayo
4. handful of nuts
5. angus beef patty with grilled veggies, about 3 Tbs. baked beans and about 1/4 cup homemade black bean and corn salsa
6. handful of nuts and 6 oz red wine
Coffee, Iced Tea, Water, 2 grams fish oil
7/13/10
5 1/2 hrs. of sleep
Meal 1: 3 pieces of center cut bacon, Carbmaster yogurt
Meal 2: Wendy’s large chili
Meal 3: cheese cubes & beef stick, 2 choc chip cookies
Meal 4: single serve Edy’s ice cream cup
1 mv, 4g. fish oil, water, coffee, Crystal Light
Tuesday, July 13
4.5 hrs sleep
1- homeblended whey prot shake
2- bacon/cheese omelet, roast potatoes at First Watch
3- mixed nuts, coffee
4- graziano’s meatball sub (honest, full disclosure), handfull trail mix, ice cream sandwich, larabar
Supplements: mv pack, 4g fish oil, ginseng, ginko
7/14/10
9 hrs sleep
1: 2 eggs, 2 turkey sausage links, carb master yogurt, coconut milk
2: butter chicken, cucumber, cantaloupe
PWOD chocolate milk, piece of Godiva chocolate, almonds
3: hamburger patty wrapped in lettuce, yellow squash, grapes, almonds
4: cottage cheese, almonds
water, crystal light
3g fish oil, 4000iu vitamin D
7-13-10
  6 hrs of sleep.
1 2 pc turkey sausage slice cheese habenaro jack
2. Â No lunch just almonds. No time.Â
3 Â 1 serving of spicy eggplant recipe above (which was awesome, by the way!!
One diet coke, water, milk.Â
7-14-10
1. 2 pc turkey sausage slice cheese habenaro jack
2.. Â Mozerella cheese stick, almonds, cucumbers and tomatoesÂ
3. 4oz steak w hot peppers, tomato with mozerella/basil/balsamic
7/14/10
6 hours sleep
1: EAS Drink
2: Pepperoni & Cheese
3: Egg Beaters w/ Ham & Cheese
4: EAS Drink
5: Bowl of Cereal
4 Fish Oil
Water, Tea, & Vitamin Water Zero
7/14/10:
7 hours of sleep.
1. Greek Yogurt with fresh blueberries and pecans
2. green apple slices with peanut butter
3. Salad topped with dried cranberries, nuts and goat cheese; light raspberry vinaigrette dressing
4. handful of nuts
5. several slices of white cheddar cheese; grilled angus tenderloin steak; mixed greens topped with sliced strawberries and almonds, dressed with olive oil vinaigrette
6. handful of mixed nuts and a few chocolate covered espresso beans
Coffee, Iced Tea, Water; 50,000 IU Vitamin D (weekly dose, by rx), 2 G. Fish Oil
Thurs, July 15
6 hrs sleep
1- two larrabars, coffee
2- pizza at work (b-day lunch) – I skipped the cake
3- 16 oz chocolate milk
4- huge protein shake w/ banana, strawb, blubs
supplements: mv pack, 4g fish oil, ginseng, melatonin (night)
7/15/10
9 hours sleep
1: Starbucks Light Vanilla Latte
2: EAS drink
3: Eggbeaters w/ ham & cheese
4: EAS drink
5: Grilled chicken w/ Hot Sauch & Blue Cheese
4 Fish Oil
Lis, I made the spicy eggplant dish this weekend and it was really tasty. I used fresh tomatoes and added a can of tomato sauce and it turned out great.
I also tried another recipe from the Sweet Cheeks website- Meatza. I think this will become a regular recipe. One of my favorite cheat foods is pizza and this definitely satisfied my cravings. I used the ground beef and italian sausage as the base and topped it with veggies I had on hand. Loved it!!!!
I’m coming clean, The reason why I havent posted my diet lately is because I am to ashamed of it…. and I didnt want to take up the whole page with junk
I have found that I struggle the most on days That I dont train on or I dont work on. Anyone else like that? I also have a horrible time resisting sweets. Im no Paleo Expert, but for the most part I know what foods are good and why to eat them, I just struggle On those days. Id like to blame my mom for her delicious cooking, but Im the one who’s eating it. This diet is whats standing between me and my goals. Any good Ideas? Love you guys.
Awesome turkey recipe…we are not super health nuts so i actually mixed half turkey and half beef…soooo goood!