FUNNY NAME FOR A GREAT FOOD

EGGPLANT.  Seriously, why is it called eggplant? It is not a white vegetable and it is not shaped like an egg? According to Wikipedia it is also called aubergine, melongene, brinjal, or guinea squash.  Something else that I found interesting is that Eggplant is a fruit, classified a berry. And it contains numerous small, soft seeds, which are edible, but are bitter because they contain nicotinoid alkaloids, unsurprising as it is a close relative of tobacco. Would it be safer to smoke eggplant?  Ha, ha just kidding.  Now, there are some white eggplants but the most common ones are a beautiful purple.  One time on telelvision I heard a British interior decorator say he was going to paint an "aperture in the wall an aubergine color".  It wasn't until I studied the eggplant that I understood the relation.

Eggplant is so versatile and delicious.  It can be grilled, baked, roasted or made into a dip  It can be covered and smothered.  As a side dish to chicken or fish, it is delightful.  It is a go to staple for vegetarians as a substitute for meat.  I love just slicing it 1/4 inch thick and placing it on a sheet pan that has been coated with non-stick spray.  In a bowl I prepare a dressing by mixing balsamic vinegar, oil olive, one finely chopped garlic clove, dried oregano, salt and pepper.  The quantity of these ingredients depends on the size of your eggplant.  The bigger they are, the chewier they will be.  I like the more slender chinese eggplant.  After I have placed the slices on the sheet pan, I drizzle the dressing over the eggplant slices.  Then just broil them in the oven for just a few minutes.  Keep an eye on them, they cook very quickly.  If you want to dress this dish up a little more, add a slice of Roma Tomato to each slice of eggplant before broiling.   And then right at the end add a small piece of mozarrella cheese until melted.  If you don't like mozarella, sprinkle parmesan cheese on them instead. 
One of the most popular ways of preparing eggplant is in Eggplant Parmesan.  I can't share my favorite recipe here because of copyright laws, but you can search through the link below. It is one of the best sources for cooking in my book, America's Test Kitchen. 

http://www.americastestkitchen.com/ 

The show is broadcast on Public Television Station, check your local listings.  You can purchase their cookbook online or at Barnes & Noble.  It is so worth the money.  I gave a copy to my husband last year as a Christmas gift. He constantly looks at it for ideas to run specials at the restaurant.  I highly recommend their site.  They test all the cooking mistakes and the dishes they end up with have such a high standard.  It is amazing.  And they do taste tests on products or try out kitchen equipment and recommend the best finds.  And it is not always the most expensive item that turns out to be the best. That is why I love the show.  With Christmas right around the corner, consider giving your foodie friend a good cookbook. Or better yet, record a showing of America's Test Kitchen, go buy all the ingredients, invite your friend over to watch and cook it together. And then spend some quality time eating together and talking the world's troubles away.