I called my mom six times today for help. The first time, I wanted to know the difference between ground chuck and ground beef (ground chuck is a better cut, less fatty, she said). The second time I wanted more advice on how to make homemade pasta sauce (would coring the tomatoes before I blanched them make them lose flavor in the boiling water, I asked … she said no). After that it was out of control.
Conversations with Mom
Question: How long should I simmer my tomatoes?
Mom: Until their rendered into sauce … you’ll just know. It’ll take a while. (90 minutes it turns out).
Question: What seasoning am I missing, because the sauce doesn’t taste quite right?
Mom: You need onions, basil, garlic, salt and oregano.
Me: I don’t have any oregano.
Mom: Well, that’s probably why it doesn’t taste right. Also, if it tastes too bitter add sugar.
Me: OK.
And on, and on.
Sometimes my mom is better than Google. I’ll take her feedback from 50+ years of life experiences over some whacko on Yahoo Answers any day.
Unplanned Trip to the Market
Anyway, I was attempting to make eggplant parmeasan. But after starting my first batch of pasta sauce, I realized I didn’t have enough tomatoes. So I made an emergency trip to the State Farmers Market and spent $18.69 on three pounds of tomatoes, squash, a red onion, two lemons and BACON!
My homemade pasta sauce wasn't pretty, but once I finished it, it sure was good.
Am I allergic to Eggplant?
I came home and finished my pasta sauce, which took two hours and didn’t look pretty, but it was delicious. So fresh. The onions (scallions and red onions) were a perfect touch. I was ready to fry up my eggplant for eggplant parmesan, so I sliced the perfect purple body and decided to take a bite. It was really bitter, which I expected based on what I’ve read. But what I didn’t expect was for my tongue, throat and mouth to start itching almost instantly. I called my mom and she said I was probably allergic. Turns out she’s allergic to eggplant too.
My tweep @JohnHinnant said it could be because I ate it raw and that you should only eat eggplant cooked. But after that experience, there was no way I was going to fry up that eggplant. Four hours later, and my throat and tongue are still itchy. Turns out I’m not alone on the itchy eggplant thing. Google (not my mom) pointed me to this blog, NotEatingOutinNY.com, where the blogger talks about experiencing the same issue.
Plan B
I had to figure out what I was going to eat. I asked my boyfriends if I could make pasta … and he said technically it would be against my rules. But there was no way I was wasting that pasta sauce.
My meat, sauce, cheese bread.
So I improvised. I sliced up some of my white bakery bread, topped it with some fried ground chuck, pasta sauce and mozzarella from Chapel Hill Creamery. Then I put it in the broiler for a few minutes and voila — a filling, flavorful meal.
No, if only my tongue would stop itching.
Good stuff, but take care of yourself.
I will, Dad!
That sucks about the eggplant…but your final dish looks totally yummy!!
Thanks, it was totally yummy. Filling and tasty!
The bread looked delicious! Eggplant, yuck! So glad my mom never forced me to eat it after I told her it made my mouth itch!
The good news is that you aren’t missing much being allergic to eggplant… never been a fan. Nice save on the pasta sauce! Next time, you can also try adding freshly roasted red peppers to the sauce, it makes the tomatoes go further and adds lovely flavor.
Yay! Someone who also doesn’t care for eggplant. You’re my new hero, Leandra!
Three pounds of tomatoes and all you ended up with was enough sauce to put on two pieces of bread and a little left in the pot? Yowsers!
I think it’s odd that you’re twenty-something and never had eggplant before. Maybe I wouldn’t have had it either, though, if I hadn’t spent 10 years as a vegetarian. I like it, though. Too bad you’re allergic. Surely Daniel will be able to keep it from going to waste.
Actually, I saved a pound for eating throughout the week, so what you see in the pic is the result of 2 pounds of tomatoes. As for eggplant, I can only remember having it once before — at Olive Garden last summer. I ordered the Eggplant Parmesan and I didn’t like it. I don’t specifically remember the itchy feeling, but I remember not liking it enough to only eat the salad and breadsticks. Don’t know why I haven’t had it before, no particular reason, I’ve just never tried it.