Ratatouille Sauté

Look! A recipe! Before you turn up your noses and say it doesn't look or wont taste good, give it a try. It's nice and fresh and SO delicious! This is a recipe I absolutely love! I've made it many times and served it over rice, rice noodles, and with fish. It's pretty versatile, and great for student budgets.  Hope you enjoy!

Ratatouille Sauté

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 chopped red onion
1  or 2 chopped bell peppers (any color works!)
2 teaspoons minced garlic
5 1/2 cups diced peeled eggplant (about 1 pound)
1 or 2 small chopped squash (I use yellow squash or zucchini)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained ( I have also used 2 or 3 fresh tomatoes)
1/4 c. Balsamic Vinegar


Heat oil in a large nonstick saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and bell peppers; sauté for 3 minutes. Add garlic, and sauté for 1 minute. Add the eggplant, squash, salt, black pepper, and vinegar. Sauté 3-5 mins until squash is cooked. Add tomatoes; stir to combine. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes.

Source: Adapted from myrecipes.com

Update: Sarah

Sorry that it has been FOREVER! It's not that I don't ever read or want to post. I don't have internet yet and have to make trips to the library....sometimes hard to sit and do stuff while Caleb is ready to go home already. So, I thought I would take this chance to post. I have been thinking a lot about eating healthier too. I have been trying to make most of the foods we eat. I was looking at this book called "cook this, not that" similar to the books "Eat this, Not That". It compares home-made meals with restaurant meals. GROSS! They give recipe's as well and encourage you to explore...that recipe's aren't set-in-stone, you can sub things, you can entirely leave something out if you don't have it (okay, but be smart....you can't just leave yeast out of bread) but, you can leave celery out of fried rice or replace with...I used cabbage. ANYWAY'S, every single meal was under HALF if not more the amount of calories at restaurants!!! Seriously, eating out (ALL THE TIME) is a waste of money and can have serious effects over a period of time. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy a meal out here and there, just be careful! You would have to do a lot more to burn those cals, then from a home cooked meal of the exact same thing (basically). I just have to mention one more thing before I stop. My opinion and what I have learned with Organic foods...If you are set on eating only organic than go for it. Just make sure you read the labels and find out what is REALLY organic and not. Just because the labels say it does not mean that it's true. Compare an organic food label of something to the same non-organic version. A lot of organic claims are really just 'give me more money' claims. Pesticides for fruits and veggie's really is not dangerous because of the SMALL amount that is actually on them. Just clean'em before you eat'em. Okay, enough of that.
I have been getting out of bed earlier (meaning 8-9...don't judge) and exercising 4-5 times a week now and feel so much better when I do. Thanks for all the encouragement to eat healthy, it really is an important part of...being healthy. OH! Fruits and veggie's are expensive, yes, but....Leo and I spent A LOT less of what we would have spent by price matching at Wal-mart. So, we get adds in the paper for all these food stores (or you can go online and look at the prices), then we plan our menu according to whats on-sale or a steal. You can match prices from any store with Wal-mart AND (at least in Utah county..just ask next time you're at wal-mart about your area) they have double coupon Tuesday's. Meaning if I have a coupon for a dollar off, I can get it for $2 off....you can use coupons from other stores too I THINK, but if you find a coupon for something you need, then price match with another store that may have a good deal on it at the time, then go on a Tuesday....yeah.
     

In Defence of Food: A Book Review

Image Source: MichaelPollan.com

My latest read was this incredible book by Michael Pollan.  I really enjoyed his take on food and how it should and shouldn't be eaten. I especially loved the way it was presented. It was clear and to the point, and also very scientific...in an unbiased kind of way.  He basically points out that much of what we are eating is not really "food" in the traditional sense. It is instead a "food-like substance" something we eat that is kind of like food, but not really FOOD.  His main mantra is "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." It's a great thing to keep in mind. Make sure what you are eating is real food. Not stuff that is made by scientists. And keep it simple. The closer to the ground the better. :)

Image Source: Degreesearch.org

Another great point he makes is to eat food from your culture...like traditional food. Instead of eating the American or western way. You know, the cold cereal, the fries, the junk. Stuff that isn't easily made in your own kitchen. Unfortunately, many people have not learned to cook real food. 

Image Source: Degreesearch.org

And a great point: Seriously! If it doesn't go bad sitting on the counter for a few days, it's not a good idea to eat it.

Image Source: Degreesearch.org

Anyway, it's a great book. You should read it! It is very enlightening, and has given me a great appreciation for home-cooking and eating whole foods.