EGGPLANT MANICOTTI W FRESH TOMATO HERB SAUCE & GRILLED CANTALOUPE
Ingredients
2 large slices of eggplant ¼” thick
Zero fat spray
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp Greek fat free cream cheese
1 tsp basil chopped
½ tsp olive oil or canola oil
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp cooked spinach
½ tsp parmesan cheese garnish
1 tbsp zero fat plain yogurt
PREPARATION
Blend garlic, onion, pepper & paprika in small bowl. Spray eggplant with zero fat spray and dust with seasoning. Spray pan with zero fat spray and lightly grill eggplant till tender. Remove and cool. Heat saute pan and place oil, garlic, basil till lightly browned. Remove and add cream cheese & stir till smooth. Add yogurt and stir again. Place in the middle of eggplant and roll the eggplant around the stuffing making a long cylinder shape roughly 1” thick. Place in saute pan with zero fat spray and brown- turn and brown so that 2 sides are evenly browned. Cream cheese mixture will warm inside. Quickly pan sear spinach and place in hollow of eggplant manicotti.
TOMATO HERB SAUCE
Ingredients
½ cup tomatoes chopped coarsely
½ tsp olive oil
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp minced red onion
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp diced fresh basil
½ tsp dry oregano
1 tbsp dry white wine to deglaze
PREPARATION
Place oil in pan with garlic and onion. Lightly brown and add all other ingredients. Simmer till tomatoes have broken down to pieces. Heat pan to high and deglaze with wine stirring constantly. Remove from heat to serve later.
GRILLED CANTALOUPE
Ingredients
1 slice of cantaloupe ½” thick, with center removed (3 oz) skin still on
Zero fat spray
½ tsp white pepper
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp fresh minced basil
1 squeeze fresh lemon
PREPARATION
Mix pepper & cilantro in small bowl. Lightly spray cantaloupe on one side with zero fat spray. Dust with seasoning. Heat saute pan with zero fat spray add seasoned cantaloupe (can be cooked on fire grill to enhance flavor). Cook for 1 minute per side to create “grilled” flavor and remove to serve when ready. Place tomato sauce across manicotti & cantaloupe, garnish with parmesan.