Eggplant

Try eggplant.

It is one of the more strange looking foods in the vegetable and fruit section but boy is it good. I have been looking for new things to try and also have been doing research on foods that help with high cholesterol ( my big issue according to my doctor). Eggplant kept coming up so I went out and got one.

Relying on my trusty copy of Mark Bittman's "How to Cook Everything" I found out how to roast and then make the best Parmesan something ever, well so far. And it was so easy.

To Roast, peel the eggplant and slice into 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick pieces. Brush with oil (olive), flip and sprinkle with garlic powder and salt. From there the slices can go right on the Grill or under the broiler, say the broiler on your favorite toaster oven.. leave them alone until golden brown, flip again and brown the other side.

At this point I like to coat the bottom of an oven safe dish with tomato sauce and carefully fit the slices in, layer in more sauce and mozzarella cheese and back that for 15 to 20 minutes or until bubbling nicely.

If the prospect of another dirty dish is out of the question simply place a few slices on a plate, spoon hot tomato sauce over add cheese and presto! Self serve eggplant parm. The naked, cooked slices hold up well in the fridge for a day or two waiting to be a great lunch. Oh, if you like a more creamy cheese presence add a bit of American cheese to the mozzarella.

Skirt

I made a skirt!!!

This is a huge triumph for me. I started with 1.5 yards of fabric that I love and have had for 5 years. Adding to that is a great need and desire to make my own clothes as I can never find skirts or pants that fit me or my style.. well me mostly. Throw in motivation, time and an existing skirt (that I converted from pants 8 years ago) and there you have it!

The best part is IT ACTUALLY FITS! :D  When I first made the skirt it was really big and I was so pissed because of the way I did the waist band. I would have to completely deconstruct the top of the I skirt to take it in. Then I decided to wash it and see how things looked. My washer and dryer are miracle workers.

The liner fabric is from another project that I took apart

This project was a great experience for me. I used tissue paper ( for wrapping presents) for the pattern and did a bunch of math: my waist is so many inches and I intend on having 4 panels so they all have to be so many inches on the top.

 I used many different colored pens when I was converting the existing skirt dimensions to be the skirt that I wanted. To make the front and back panels symmetrical I discovered that I could just fold the fabric over - perpendicular to the direction of my pattern. I used an invisible zipper and foot for the first time! It worked out so well and I was so excited about it that I forgot to add the pockets (oh well).

 I even did darts - I had to, it was from the original pants and actually helped shape the skirt nicely. The darts are a funny learning experience. If you make them too severe you end with what I like to call Nipple Bottom. I have no pictures of said Nipple Bottom because I was able to undo and elongate them. I found the best way to determine how long they should be by using the iron, though I am sure there is an official way.

See, no Nipple Bottom.

Now that I have done this one I can't wait to change the pattern and see if I can make a different one! Or maybe just try the same one but with different fabric...

Charlie is SO helpful!