Because Eggplants are cool

Eggplants are so underrated... who agrees with me?
I'm the majority of you really hadn't thought too hard about eggplants in the past, however I'm also sure there's a few (ok, a couple) of you who, like me, think eggplants are awesome and should get more recognition for said awesome-ness.

In the non-taste related sector of eggplant magnificence includes fiber (protecting digestive tract), phyto nutrients (aiding in blood circulation and nourish brain- BRAIN FOOD!) and a whole bunch of other vitamins and minerals (iron, calcium etc.) required by the body!

So I have recipes for you! Yup- recipesssss! Highlighting the awesome-ness that is eggplant! :D

Firstly, these awesome grilled eggplant falafels:

Ingredients:
3/4 cup chickpeas/ red kidney beans/ mixed four beans (any cooked beans really)
Spices- kind of up to you- I used 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon+ 1 teaspoon cumin + dash of paprika + dash of ginger
Freshly chopped coriander
2 tablespoons chopped red onion
2 slices of eggplant (1 cm thick)

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius, line a baking tray with baking paper.
2. Place eggplant and onion in a non-stick frypan and heat on medium heat until cooked through
3. Meanwhile in a small food processor whazz together the beans and spices (might need to add a little water if mixture is quite dry)
4. Add cooked eggplant and onion to mashed beans and spices as well as chopped coriander and mix to combine:

5. Wet hands and form into balls:

6. Bake in oven for 20-30 mins (until golden brown)
7. EAT!

I enjoyed my eggplant falafels topped with some Mexican salsa with a side of steamed brussels sprouts and oven roasted white sweet potato (Y.U.M)
So. Much. Flavour!

And, as usual, we need to take a moment to appreciate the absolute unbelievably awe-inspiring taste of roasted white sweet potatoes. Good.

Happy Days.

But that's not all folks! Oh no!
EGGPLANT PIZZA!
Ever feel like pizza but just don't have the time/ effort to make a base? What do you do? (No you do not go out and buy a pre-made base/ pizza!) You slice up an eggplant, roast it a little and then top it with all the regular pizza guests!

First of all roast your eggplant (about 1 cm slices) for around 15 mins at 180 degrees celsius.

Then spread it with some no-added-salt tomato paste, mixed with dried oregano and basil for pizza flavour!):

Next, top it up! I topped my 'pizza' with capsicum, mushrooms, semi-dried tomatoes and black olives:

Bake it in the oven for around 20-30 mins until veggies on top are cooked to your liking, then nom!

Eaten along side some homemade lentil bread topped with avocado and poached eggs and some roasted broccoli and brussels sprouts!

For all those interested in the bread, I don't have exact measurements but it was something like 1/2 cup lentil flour and a dash of garlic powder mixed with 1 tablespoon greek yoghurt and then water until the dough came together:

Rolled out and grilled on a griddle pan for around a minute either side on high heat:

Ta-da!

Easy-peasy grain free, high protein bread!

What a fabulous dinner!

That eggplant though...

The real star of the show ;)

What about you?
Do you like/ don't like eggplant? I used to hate it in all honesty! I never really experiemnted much with it though!
Favourite eggplant recipe?
Vegetable you think is completely underrated and overlooked?

Bye for now friendly friends! Have a magnificent day, do something you love and eat something yummy!! :D