Eggplant rocks the party. It is full of vitamins and minerals such as manganese, potassium, folate, copper, and B6. One cup of this super vegetable has only 20 calories while still providing you with 10% of your daily fiber. It has no cholesterol and is rich in Phenolic Antioxidant Compounds. “What are Phenolic Antioxidant Compounds?” you say. Well, without getting into a deep scientific discussion, these compounds can help fight cancer, viruses, and lower bad cholesterol.
And while the nutritional benefits of this vegetable are truly remarkable, I have to say that the most impressive thing about eggplants is their familial ancestry. You see the eggplant is a member of the Nightshade family of vegetables. How kick ass is that name, Nightshade? It sounds more like the name of a super hero with powers equal to that of any of the Superfriends. I mean Superman could never lower anyone’s HDL. Had Nightshade been a member of The Justice League of America, I might have eaten more eggplant as a child.
So my latest dish uses two members of the Nightshade family. I couldn’t stop with one. No, I had to pair the eggplant with its crime fighting sister, the sweet red pepper. So not only is this dish delicious, but it is also chock full of Phenolic Antioxidants. Your heart can thank you later, but now you can enjoy my GRILLED POLENTA WITH ROASTED RED PEPPER SAUCE. I hope this dish is just as kick ass as its ingredients.
Ingredients Instructions First you will want to make your polenta. In a stockpot, add 3 cups of vegetable broth and bring this to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and slowly pour in your polenta, whisking constantly. As the corn grains are very fine with polenta, it will not take long to cook (about 3 minutes). It should have the consistency of thick oatmeal. Once it is finished, add your herbs and pepper and mix to combine. Pour this mixture into an 8x8 cake pan coated with cooking spray. Once the polenta is cool to the touch, place the cake pan in the frig. Chilling the polenta will make it firm and allow you to grill it. You can do this a day ahead of time if you want.
While the polenta chills, preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Cut the head of garlic in half and wrap tightly in aluminum foil with about a tablespoon of water. Place this foil package in the oven. Thickly slice your eggplant and onion along with the peppers. Place the vegetables on a cookie sheet coated with cooking spray and roast for 25 minutes or until the vegetables are browned on all sides. When the roasting is completed and the vegetables are cool enough to handle, put the veggies, herbs, garlic, and remaining broth in a high speed blender or food processor. Puree until smooth. Then season the sauce with salt and pepper. Pour the sauce into a pan and reheat until it is nice and hot.
While the sauce reheats, fire up the grill. You can also use your broiler if you don’t want to brave the elements, but the grill adds a bit of smoky flavor to the polenta. Cut the chilled polenta into four equal pieces and then cut these pieces into eight equal triangles. Grill or broil about 3 minutes a side or until the polenta is nice and crusty brown on the outside. Spoon a generous amount of sauce on your plate. Top with the polenta triangles and then drizzle the remaining sauce over the triangles. Garnish with some bright green vegetables to round out your vegan super feast.
Dinner is ready. When you are done, just sit back and feel the power of the eggplant coursing through your veins. And who knows, you just might develop some super powers of your own earning you a place in The Hall of Justice. And when the Trouble Alert computer warns you of some dastardly plan brewing, you can confidently face the evil villains knowing you have the powers of The Nightshade on your side. Longer Letter Later.
Love, Bob aka The Grassfed Carnivore
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