Happy Saturday!
What are you up to this weekend?
Photo Credit: Instagram – @itsdougthepug “I'm so over winter” ~ Doug
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We're going to be cramming for Monday night's Canine Good Citizen test.
Out of the ten things, Harry + Sally will be graded on; loose leash walking is still our biggest challenge. Admittedly, they each do pretty well as long as they're not together, don't see a bunny, need to chase a leaf, or want to say hi to a kitty
In between practice sessions, we're having dinner with my parents to celebrate our anniversary
And I'm looking forward to some time in the kitchen. After hearing everyone at the gym rave about their Instant Pot, I've finally jumped on the bandwagon. Do you have any recipes I should try?
(ps: A couple of really good Insta Pot articles from The New York Times; in case you're still on the fence)
Whatever you're up to, I hope you have a good one!
For the weekend I thought it might be fun to share a few Instagram accounts from the wellness world that I've been loving lately
Any others you'd like to share? I'm always looking for new inspiration(!)
Tao Portion-Lynch: At 98 years young she holds the record for the oldest yoga teacher, and inspires me with her wisdom and amazing vitality
Mind Body Green: Lots of inspiration for living our best life
National Geographic Creative, EarthPix, and National Geographic Travel: For the moments I'm feeling the winter blahs and need to live vicariously through someone else. Stunning images from around the globe
Food Coach NYC – Dana's simply the best
Vegan and Vegetarian recipe inspiration
Spiritual Gangster – Gorgeous yoga photos and Boho-chic vibes; sure to send you on your way with a dose of inspired living
NomNomPaleo: You're guaranteed to find cooking inspiration, whether you're following a Paleo lifestyle or not
The Chalkboard Mag: TheChalkboard.com encompasses all things health and wellness, and their Instagram doesn’t disappoint
Breakfast Criminals: Smoothie bowls + ideas for your own, in every shape, size, and color. The best part? She always includes her recipes
Kayla Itsines: It's so inspiring to see the before and after pictures of people who have followed her guides. While the difference is stunning, her sensible approach to fitness and wellness is what keeps me coming back
Also for the weekend, a new brunch favorite.
Ottolenghi's Eggplant Kuku, a middle eastern take on the frittata, filled with eggplant, onions. Additional boosts of flavor come from herbs and barberries, whose dramatic sharpness magically accentuate everything else.
The Kuku can be eaten hot or cold and will keep well in the fridge for two or three days. It would be great for breakfast, as an appetizer, side, or light main with yogurt, salad, and bread.
Enjoy!
xoxo
~ Adapted from Plenty More by Yotam Ottolenghi
Eggplant Kuku
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil + extra for prepping the baking pan
- 3 medium onions, peeled and sliced (~ 4 cups)
- 3 small eggplants, tops removed and peeled
- 5 eggs (large or XL)
- 3 Tbsp flour of your choice (I used oat flour)
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¾ cup bread crumbs, regular or gluten-free
- 1 cup flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped + extra for garnishing
- 1 tsp saffron strands, soaked in 2 Tbsp hot water
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
- ¼ barberries (or chopped dried sour cherries or currants soaked in a bit of lemon juice both make great substitutes)
- fine grain sea salt + freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° F
- Line the base and sides of an 8" springform pan with waxed paper and brush the paper lightly with oil
- In a large, heavy pan over medium-high, add a good glug of olive oil and warm.
- Add the onions and saute for ~ 7-8 minutes, or until they've softened, but not yet brown
- While the onions are cooking, cut the eggplants in half crosswise and then cut each half lengthwise into slices ~ ½" thick, so you'll end up with batons ~ 3" long and ½" wide
- Add the batons and a pinch of sea salt to the sautéing onions and continue to cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally and gently to protect the eggplant from breaking apart
- Continue to cook for 12-14 minutes, or until the eggplant has softened completely
- Remove from the heat and set aside to cool
- In a large bowl, add the eggs, flour, baking powder, bread crumbs, parsley, saffron water, garlic, a pinch of sea salt and a good grind of black pepper.
- Whisk until well combined
- Once smooth, fold in the barberries, along with the onions and eggplant
- Pour the egg mixture into the prepared pan and bake for ~ 35 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool
- Serve warm or at room temp, sprinkled the parsley, if you like
44 Comments
YUM!! I love eggplant & this looks so delicious. This would be perfect for brunch.
Your dish look delicious, we don’t use eggplant enough. We are hauling in wood for next winter, livestock is fed, laundry done, floors mopped, bathrooms cleaned, made double batch of cookies.
I’ve never heard of eggplant kuku. It sounds really good and looks delicious. Maybe I can talk my family into giving it a try! Lol!
This is incredible! My mom makes kuku all the time, never tried it with eggplant. :]
Wow, this looks amazing and something I need to add the menu.
Tammy
This looks so good! I have been looking for new ways to try eggplant!
looks absolutely delicious!! can’t wait to try it with the eggplants from our garden in the summer!
Great thank you for sharing this looks & sounds delicious! I’ve never tried egg plant before but I’m always open to new recipes. Will be making this next weekend thank you!
Oh my gosh, that pug photo made me crack up! I wasn’t expecting it on a recipe post, lol. This looks so absolutely yummy! Going to have to try soon. Perfect for the cold weather thetas lingering.
I always like finding Instagram accounts that post inspiring things for what I’m interested in. That usually means women traveling. This eggplant looks tasty!
I have never had eggplant before so I’m not really sure what it tastes like x
A yoga teacher….at 98!!! That is impressive, well done Tao for staying so active, young and inspiring others! I feel this recipe would be a good wholesome meal all whilst being relatively healthy too!
Never heard of or tried an eggplant kuku before. It sounds healthy and lovely for a meal too!
Wow, this is fabulous and so creative. I am def going to try this recipe. The ingredients a real easy to find too 🙂
Wow I just checked out Tao’s account and what an inspiration, to be so dedicated to her craft. Just goes to show age is just a number! Love the recipe xx
Looks like something tasting so good. Healthy at the same time! Perfect for Valentines Day too!
I have always loved eggplant but couldn’t find a good recipe. I am going to have to try this!
I hope your pups do great on the test! I’m sure it’s all going to be fine. I hope you had a great weekend as well. That frittata looks amazing!
I absolutely love eggplant / brinjals. Order it all the time when i’m at an Indian or Indonesian restaurant. Never heard of kuku, looking forward to giving this a go.
Awww your pooch looks adorbs in his little outfit. How’d he do? I so miss having dogs!
You’re always whipping up delicious looking dishes. Looks fab.
Oh that looks really tasty! I would definitely want to try some, both eating and making, haha!
xx, Kusum
I never had that before it looks delicious…I must give it a try
Unless it’s Eggplant parmigiana I haven’t had much luck with this vegetable. How are the flavors and textures?
I’ve noticed the ones I find locally are bland and mushy after being cooked; maybe I am overcooking?
I need to say that this is insanely awesome cold, worth hot sauce. Perfect!
I’ve never heard of Eggplant Kuku, sounds so yummy! Perfect for those who love frittata!
I am usually not an eggplant fan, but maybe I give it a try in this recipe because the rest seems so delicious. Maybe I just never had it in a really good recipe, and that might be the problem. Oh well, I am adventurous and will try and see if your recipes will make me an eggplant fan. Wish me luck!
Blessings!
Claudia
Thank you for sharing those Instagram accounts. I’ll make sure to check them for inspiration. 🙂 I’ve never tasted a kuku before, but it looks yummy! I will make it this weekend. I like trying new recipes and new tastes.
Anything with eggplant is on my to eat list. It’s one of my favorite foods. Also, that pug….I know how you feel Doug…I know how you feel.
How have I never had kuku before?? OMG, it sounds incredible. I need to fix that immediately!!
I have never heard of eggplant kuku, but it looks amazing. It definitely reminds me of a frittata, which I LOVE.
This dish looks delicious. I have not yet gotten onto the Instant Pot bandwagon but I do plan too. Your sweet little fur baby is adorable. Hope he gets the loose leash thing down better. Happy Anniversary!
I have not heard of this before, but I’d give it a taste. It looks and sounds like something I’d enjoy.
My daughter would LOVE that pug photo. She really wants a pug.
The eggplant kuku looks like a really tasty and delicious meal It also is healthy because of the eggplant. It makes a really good meal.
The dish seems really delicious, it’s undoubtedly healthy too. I think I would recommend it to my friend as we are vegetarians. But, this dish looks amazing!
I have to admit I haven’t heard of Eggplant Kuku but it sounds really delicious. Also thank you for sharing some inspirations :).
Lots of great inspiration in this post. And a great recipe too. I just saw some eggplant on sale at the farmer’s Marley!
I love eggplant but have never had an Eggplant Kuku. It sounds delicious! I will have to make this soon.
This looks really good. My husband loves Eggplant so I will have to make this for him some time. Thanks for it! Yum!
Looks like this is a nice menu. I would love to have a taste. The picture is so inviting!
I always like coming back to your blog because your recipes are really unique and tasty. I would try making this Eggplant Kuku. We love our eggplant deep fried and crispy (tempura style) but this dish is something worth trying too.
Oh my that looks so delicious. I love eggplant so I am interested in trying your recipe.
I personally have never even tried or seen Eggplant Kuku in our regular menu whenever we eat out. Not familiar but seeing this makes me want to try it. It looks absolutely delightful and I would totally give this a go soon. Thank you for the recipe and steps! xx
My youngest son loves eggplants. I usually cook it by boiling it, then mashing then making an omelet with it. However, your recipe looks like something he will enjoy too. Thank you for sharing. I will make some for him this week.
Okay, so I really appreciate the instagram accounts that you shared especially with the vegan and vegatarian inspired recipes. Eating less meat has been something I’ve been working on since last year. I do love that eggplant frittata. I wouldn’t mind having that for brunch this weekend! YUM!