Eggplant penne pasta

original recipe here

2 small eggplants
dash salt
16 oz. whole wheat penne pasta
1-2 tsp olive oil
Pepper
Bunch of parsley, basil leaves and rosemary leaves
2-3 garlic cloves
1 cup crushed tomatoes
1/2 – 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese

Cube eggplant, place in colander with salt and allow to sit while you prepare the pasta. Boil pasta according to package directions. Saute garlic, herbs, and eggplant in olive oil. Add tomato and cooked pasta. Top with mozzarella cheese.

Fresh lavender-lemon ice cream

This was very good and refreshing!

2 cups milk

2 cups cream

1/2 cup fresh lavender

zest of 1-2 lemons

8 egg yolks

3/4 cup sugar

Mix cream and milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Steep lavender and zest in the cream mixture for 20 minutes. Whisk together yolks and sugar in a bowl. Add one cup of strained cream mixture and mix well. Add the rest of the strained cream mixture and return to pot for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Place in the refrigerator to cool completely, then pour into an ice cream maker and follow manufacturer's instructions. Serve with a sprig of fresh lavender or lemon slice.

Peanut butter and banana smoothie

1 banana

2 tablespoons peanut butter

1/2 cup milk

handful of spinach

handful of ice cubes

Pulse in blender until ice cubes are crushed, then puree until smooth!

Peach Sorbet

Delicious.

2 lbs fresh peaches

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

juice of one lemon

Peel, pit, and purée peaches; refrigerate until cool.

Mix water and sugar in saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves; refrigerate simple syrup until cool.

Combine cold peach purée, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Transfer to ice cream maker and follow instructions.

Peach Salsa

Yesterday we passed a produce stand where I bought 23 fresh peaches for $4! This was the first recipe we made:

4 medium peaches, peeled, pitted

2 large tomatoes, cut in wedges and seeded

1/2 sweet onion, cut in wedges

1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves

2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed

2 cans (4 oz each) chopped green chiles

4 teaspoons cider vinegar

1 teaspoon lime juice

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Combine ingredients in food processor and pulse until desired consistency is reached. Serve with tortilla chips or over fish, pork, chicken, etc.