I’ve always been a bit intimidated by eggplant. I’m not really sure why—I guess it’s just that they’re not your run-of-the-mill veggie.
It seems like a challenge would be the perfect time to tackle them. Don’t you think?
Eggplant is pretty dang healthy for you too—it’s great source of folic acid and potassium!
Today marks Day 2 of the Lunchbox Challenge. <—That’s the introduction. Check out Day 1 if you’re just joining us.
Week 1 is all about the wraps—so there was only one way to eat that eggplant: all wrapped up!
I decided to be a bit adventurous and make a batch of balsamic reduction sauce for dipping.
This was my first time making a balsamic reduction and holy moly was it potent! I had to crack a window!
Directions:
- Pour 1 C. balsamic vinegar into a pan. Use enough to reduce it by about half.
- Put the stove on high heat.
- Whisk briskly the whole time.
- Allow the vinegar to boil. Don’t stop whisking.
- Once it’s reduced and has a syrupy quality, remove from heat. Allow to cool.
Smelliness aside, this is a tasty sauce! Simple too!
By this time, your veggies should be nice and grilled. Gotta love the George Foreman—it’s a Panini press and a veggie grill!
Today’s sides included a mini veggie bowl:
- chopped baby carrots
- cherry tomatoes
- edamame <—for protein
- topped with hummus + paprika
Plain Greek yogurt mixed with cinnamon and stevia then topped with pomegranate arils.
And finally a crisp green apple rounded out this delicious lunch!
I can’t wait to hear all about your lunches today! If you’d like: send me a picture of your favorite lunch or lunches by Thursday night and I’ll do a round-up at the end of the week! (thenewhealthy@gmail.com)
Well, it’s off to school I go! I have a full day of stimuli development ahead.
<3 Stefanie
Daily dose of cuteness:
P.S. I even talk in the animal voice when I see pictures of Georgie. You’re not weird if you know you’re weird, right?
21 comments:
I've never reduced balsamic...I guess I thought it was more complicated than that...ha!
Your lunch looks great---I need to get more variety in mine. Today, I have no idea what's for lunch...it will depend on what I buy when I go to the store. I love the idea of a wrap....hmmm...
Thanks for sharing your lunch!
I talk in animal voices too! lol! Always did to my pets growing up or friends animals! Your cat is adorable!
Love this lunch and eggplant is soooooooooo yummy!
Hope your day is good! xoxo
HAAAlarious, I also talk in my baby/doggie voice whenever I see pictures of Happy... ha!
Anywho, love eggplant, and I LOVE pomegranite arils... great choices!
I don't know why but eggplant has always intimidated me. I just don't know how to cook it! I have a mini George Foreman so I am gonna slice it up and see how it goes! Your lunch looks amazingly balanced and delish by the way.
Eggplant is a veggie I never ate as a kid because my parents never bought it, but I love it now! Funnily enough, I eat it with balsamic vinegar just like you. I also like to mix it in with other veggies when I make pasta.. yumm! You've got me hungry now! Today my lunch is another cold salad mix of chickpeas, lentils, veggies, herbs and olive oil. Recipe to come on Friday! :)
yum!! what a colorful lunch! i need to experiment with eggplant more for sure.
Don't worry, I always talk in baby voices to my dog as well!
I've always tried to do balsamic reductions before and have never been able to get it right - I just figured out now that I was missing the whole "whisking" part of it!!!
This wrap looks DELICIOUS! Had I not splurged at the grocery store just last night I'd be heading over to get some eggplant myself!
And I WILL be making my own reduction sauce in the near future! :)
- @eatsomethingnew
Hey girl! I found your blog through various other blogs that I read. Your food all looks so good! It seems like we eat alike. I agree that eggplant is intimidating, it never seems to come out right when I make it. Love the idea of using the George Foreman!
Yum x100! This is a great idea! Def a good break from the standard wraps =) I bet it tasted great!
Strong smells can scar me from a food so I think i'll stick to my store bought squeezy bottle!
xoXOxo
Jenn @ Peas & Crayons
That looks so delicious!
mmm eggplant, it's also really good lightly breaded and grilled!
oo YUM- i just bought some eggplant today! I had actually a meal I JUST posted.. the soup with laughing cow toast, greek yog and pecan butter!
Okay so now we really have to hear the animal voice! I talk to animals in kind of a baby voice... it's bad, I can admit it. ;)
And you made eggplant look tasty! That's impressive! :)
You are an artist withyour food girl! TALENT! and so healthy-yummylooking.
I'm digging deep with a Kashi frzn meal for lunch today :)
Your. Kitty. Is. So. Cute!
I am loving the eggplant recipe! A wrap sounds amazing!!! I will have to bookmark these lunch box challenges for the future!
I just found your blog and i love it! lunchbox challenges are great!
How do you get your wraps to stay…well so perfectly wrapped? Haha! Do you use a specific type of wrap or tortilla? Lovin’ that veggie bowl too. Edamame is becoming a new fave of mine. I’m doing yogurt and pomegranate tomorrow! Can’t wait for breakfast.
Your blog is so fun to read. :)
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