Episode 2 of what to do with aubergines, and other things.
Made my first ever lasagna today. (Episode 1 with aubergines was actually two days ago. Grilled slices, then daubed them with sun-dried tomato paste and scorcher cheese, breaded incompetently then served with pasta. Found out I added a bit too much salt when de-watering or whatever the aubergines. It was still declared yum by family, including Rain who loathes eggplant.) I didn't like the recipes I found, so I kind of slapped two together and added my own ideas. I've never been good at following recipes, but it almost always turns out well. So... roasted a sliced aubergine with two whole garlic bulbs and two red onions. (I'd never roasted veg before, and am not certain I did it right... My brain kept saying "it's not blackened, can't be roasted, right?") Smooshed a few of the roasted cloves with minced beef as I browned it, added crushed tomato and the onions. Mixed spinach and cream cheese ('cause I don't care much for ricotta), then alternated: meat sauce, lasagna sheet, spinach sauce, mozza, rinse, repeat. Turned out pretty good. Must remember that if the recipe called for red wine and I skip the booze, I need to add some other kind of liquid in its place. Was a teensy bit dry around the sides.
Got my NHS consultant appt for my stupid bloody jaw at long last... sadly, it's not until the 30th of Nov. Siiiiiiiigh. At least it's this year. Mind, it is just a consultancy. I'm expecting a "Why yes, your jaw is bad. Painful, huh? Dunno what we can do..." Dammit. And earlier today, as I walked by the canal, it went and made that crunchy sound that reverberates right in my ear and ensures that the next 24hrs are full of ow. It's not excruciating pain. In some ways, I rather wish it were. No, it's just my jaw feeling out of place, a dull ache around the muscle, and a nasty spiteful headache that no painkiller can tackle. Gah.
I'm still behind on email replies. I owe Elf especially. Elf, feel free to smack me upside the head next time you see me...
And am now down to one aubergine. *suddenly hears Count Count from Sesame Street. "One! One aubergine! Hahahaha!"*