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Lovin' Lamb & Eggplant Casserole!
November 30, 2005
INT. MR. R.'S MANSION--KITCHEN--AFTERNOON
Caryn slices through eggplant as a skillet sizzles nearby. The swinging door creaks open and Mr. R.'s head pokes through.
MR. R.
Going to the gym. Be back in a couple hours.
She nods and stirs the browning meat in the skillet.
MR. R. (CONT'D)
Is that lamb? Looks good.
He withdraws his head from the kitchen. Caryn chops fresh mint.
The door swings open again and she rolls her eyes.
CARYN
Change your mind already?
MAN'S VOICE (O.S.)
What?
Caryn looks up to identify the unfamiliar voice. She immediately straightens her hair at the vision of Abercrombie & Fitch standing before her. The SANDY-HAIRED MAN extends his hand.
MAN
Hi, I'm Hank. You must be Caryn.
She nods and shyly shakes his hand. The meat hisses from the stove.
CARYN (CONT'D)
Are you, um, a friend of--
HANK
Yeah, we're buddies from high school. Just visiting for a while.
Caryn pulls her gaze away from his bright blue eyes and turns her attention to the skillet.
CARYN
He could use a friend around here.
Hank leans casually against the counter.
HANK
I hear you're a great cook.
He peeks over her shoulder to see what she's stirring.
HANK (CONT'D)
Is that lamb? Since when does he eat lamb?
Caryn turns her head at the accusation and they are nose to nose.
CARYN
He's eaten it before.
They both look back down at the meat.
HANK
Huh. Interesting.
After a beat, he smiles at her with a sugary grin.
HANK (CONT'D)
I, however, love lamb.
I adapted this dish from a recipe published in the November 2004 Woman's Day. It's a pretty lean dish if you're looking for a satisfying, but healthier meal between the Holiday festivities.
3 eggplants, about 1 lb. each, cut into 1/2 inch slices
2 TB. olive oil, divided
1 lb. lean ground lamb
2 cups chopped onion
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1 TB. cumin
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
salt & pepper
1-1/2 pounds tomatoes, thinly sliced
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
SAUCE:
1 cup plain lowfat yogurt
1 TB. finely grated lemon zest
juice from one medium lemon
salt & pepper
1. Sprinkle 1 TB. salt over eggplant slices and set in colander over bowl to drain. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. After 30 minutes, dry eggplant with paper towels and place slices on cookie sheet. Brush both sides of slices with olive oil. Bake until eggplant is tender and slightly brown, about 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, saute onion and garlic in 1 TB. olive oil until tender. Add lamb and saute until meat is no longer pink. Remove from heat and stir in cumin, cinnamon, mint and salt and pepper to taste.
3. Reduce oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheet with half the eggplant and then half the tomatoes. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese. Top with meat mixture, then layer with remaining eggplant, tomatoes and cheese.
4. Bake uncovered until hot, about 30 minutes.
5. To make sauce, mix ingredients together until smooth. Serve with casserole.
Serves 6.
Posted by Caryn at November 30, 2005 09:00 AM | Printable Version | Recipe Only
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Comments
Brava Caryn, another unexpected twist! As we've already seen Mr. R's propensity for jealousy and a bit of posessiveness, it will be interesting to see if he has any trouble with Hank hanging around!
Posted by: tara at November 30, 2005 12:20 PM
Ooo! The plot thickens....
Posted by: Nic at November 30, 2005 04:32 PM
wow! a new guy on the scene... friend or not, this is going to get very interesting indeed! *grin*
Posted by: Lil at December 1, 2005 03:09 AM
Caryn! We totally loved your BBM3 package... those bars are dissapearing fast. Yum. Many thanks for all the tasty goodies.
Posted by: jess at December 1, 2005 04:38 AM
New guy eh? Interesting development heheh...^_^ I bet when Mr. R returns, he's gonna turn a little overprotective around Caryn...^_~ Thanks for the lovely recipe and the great story!
Posted by: Tea at December 1, 2005 07:56 PM
This seems just so tasty... I think I'am gonna try this recipe very soon. Bravo!
Posted by: flo at December 6, 2005 10:35 AM
OMG, I just found your blog and read the entire year. What great food and writing. I am now hooked and neeed MORE MORE MORE!
Posted by: Maureen Forys ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.deliciousdelicious.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at December 9, 2005 07:00 PM
I never really liked egg plant but I think this recipe would make it so I even like it. Thanks.
Posted by: Jane35 at December 15, 2005 04:22 AM
WOW. Only had time to look at the pictures and check out the recipes, but this is fabulousness.
Posted by: e! at December 15, 2005 07:34 AM
Hi Caryn, we have discovered your blog on the web and it looks absolut fantastic. We ourselves are huge food and wine conaisseurs and we visit here again for sure. Greetings from Amsterdam.
Posted by: Chef Tony at December 16, 2005 09:25 AM
What's up girl? I have been seeing the same story and recipe for quite sometime! I hope everything is ok. You make us worry about you when you go so long in between entries!
Posted by: leannwoo at December 21, 2005 04:45 PM
All I want for Christmas is a new Delicious Delicious entry!
Caryn, Happy Holidays. Hope all is well
Posted by: FJK at December 22, 2005 10:51 AM
Hi Caryn,
Hope all is well. Must be the new guy is taking up all your blogging time. :)
Happy New Year!
As always, looking forward to your next entry.
Best,
Deb
Posted by: Deb at December 24, 2005 08:33 AM
Have a wonderful christmas and new year, Caryn!
Posted by: keiko at December 25, 2005 07:36 AM
Caryn, come out come out where ever you are!
Posted by: leannwoo at December 27, 2005 09:59 AM
Oh wow...
this is getting interesting...
Posted by: shaz at December 28, 2005 05:25 AM
You know how we worry!!!
Posted by: Reg at January 2, 2006 02:44 PM
I love visiting your site - your writing is awesome and the recipes great too. This one's a particular favorite.
Thanks for sharing
Posted by: Ruth at January 9, 2006 08:01 AM
Intriguing and now, I want to know the next episode. Beautiful picture! Next thing is I have to try the recipe!
Posted by: Bea at La Tartine Gourmande at January 14, 2006 10:22 AM
I love your photos, sometimes in my attmepts that are somehwat less than brilliant I wonder if it is my camera or just me, probably the latter I'm guessing!
Posted by: Ange at March 16, 2006 05:37 PM