Going Global with Eggplant

By Lori Powell
For One or Two Bites, a blog for singles and couples

Eggplant season is here and one of my all-time comfort food dishes is Eggplant Parmesan. I just love the creamy texture, when eggplant is cooked right, and how it pairs so beautifully with so many other flavors. Eggplant acts a flavor sponge while maintaining its own distinctive taste.

Eggplant’s origins go back to the 5th century in China and it found further popularity in Mediterranean Europe, around the 15th century. I have used them in classic dishes such as moussaka from Greece, Asian stir-fry, Indian rice dishes such as biryani, and ratatouille from France.

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Zorba’s Dinner

Traditional moussaka at the Greek Fest.

By Marilyn Hunter

Last week, we celebrated another year at the annual LA Greek Fest, a three-day festival of culture, music, dancing and great food.

We splurged on gyros, souvlaki, spanakopita and moussaka. The boys got their fill of games and rides and Nick took home the grand prize for the Zorba Night Dance Contest which was quite a feat as he competed against dancers of all ages and skills. We think it was his enthusiasm and two missing teeth that hooked the judges. It didn’t hurt that his name is Nicholas. I had to accept the grand prize of “very old Metaxa Greek brandy” since he’s only six.

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