ReviewAndARecipe: MarxFoods "Eco-Vision" Palm Leaf Bio-Plates And Eggplant Timbale

Dear All, Happy Earth Day 2010!

Earth Day?? - Earth Day aims to inspire awareness of and appreciation for earth's environment. While some folks celebrate Earth Day around the time of the vernal equinox, others observe the occasion on April 22 each year and is currently observed in more than 140 countries around the world.

Earth Day can be on any day if only we take conscientious steps towards keeping our Mother Earth Healthy, not just for ourselves but for the generations to come.Else, the Mayan Calendar Predictions may come true. Maybe not on December 21, 2012.. but eventually. As it is, Mother Nature is unhappy and she is Shaking(Read Earthquakes) and Spitting(Read Volcanic Ash) at us for being Nasty to her. Let us all do what we can towards a Greener and Happier Earth, shall we? I for one don't use wads of TT, shutdown my computer(Not put it in "Sleep" or "Hibernate" mode), don't keep the water running while I brush my teeth etc etc..Little things like this matter. After all, small droplets make a mighty ocean, right?

Okay, Here are some suggestions to "Get, set, ECO" -

1. Reduce, Recycle and Reuse - This includes Water Bottles, Beer/Soda cans, Plastic Spoon/Forks etc etc.
2. Walk, Take a bike, Use Public Transportation or Car Pool
3. Pick roadside Trash
4. Plant a tree or two, if not at-least a bush
5. Buy "Local and Organic" food whenever possible
6. Be a TreeHugger - Use biodegradable products, like Marxfoods' "Eco-Vision" Palm Leaf Bioplates

Just yesterday I got a package of these plates from Marxfoods, so I can blog about this beautiful plates on Earth Day. How appropriate is that?Thanks a bunch, Justin.

 

Awesome looking plates, aren't they? They are made from Adaka Palm Leaves that are gathered from the forest floor that are cut and sun dried. Yes folks, no tree was harmed or cut-down to make this splendid party plates. Besides looking good, they function beautifully. They are really sturdy and does not get soggy unless you soak them in the water.And they are biodegradable- decompose over time as a result of biological activity and does not harm Mother Earth. They come in different shapes and sizes and to fit everyone's budget! Please go check out this excellent product at their site.Besides plates, they have plenty of fine foods like Wild Mushrooms, Organic Grains/Seeds, Truffles and more. Go check!

Eggplant Timbale With Pepper, Mushrooms and Ziti filling:(Serves 2)
(Adapted from Giada's Everyday Italian, FoodNetwork)
The original recipe calls for "Grilled" eggplants but I baked it instead. I would recommend grilling the eggplant slices since mine turned out a little crunchy and made the cutting difficult.But the filling was delicious.I will definitely make this again but with grilled eggplants.

This goes to Presto Pasta Nights event held at The kitchen slave. This along with Criss-Cross Cottage Pie goes to Champa's Bake-off event.

 

Ingredients:

• Eggplants - 2, Mid-sized, sliced 1/4 -inch thick
• Mushrooms - 3 #s, medium, cleaned and coarsely chopped
• Onion - 1/2, medium, fine diced
• Mini Peppers - 3#s, fine diced
• Garlic - 2 cloves
• Ziti Pasta - 2 handfuls, cooked as per package directions
• Hot sauce - 2 tbsp
• Marinara Sauce - 2 tbsp
• Cracked Pepper - a few grinds
• Salt for taste
• Mozzarella Cheese - 1/4 cup or more
• Olive Oil - 4 tbsp
• Fresh Basil - 1 tsp, chopped

Procedure:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bake the cut eggplant slices in single layer for 10 minutes with 2 tbsp of olive oil and salt till it becomes soft. (Original recipe calls for grilling and its best that way).
• In a pan, heat the remaining oil and add garlic, onions, peppers, mushrooms. Saute for 10 minutes or so and add both the sauce, cracked pepper and salt. Mix it and add the cooked pasta and cheese.
• Line a baking dish(In my case, with the baked eggplants and let a few slices overlap and hang on the sides.
• Spoon the mixture into the dish, tightly packing it.

 

• Fold the eggplant slices like in the picture and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F.

 

• Cool for 10 minutes prior to cutting and serving.

Makes ~ 2 small-sized servings.

Note:

• Grill the eggplants for a softer timbale.Mine was a little crisp which wasn't what I wanted in my Timbale.
• Don't care to make a timbale, chop the eggplants and add it to the veggies and use it as a pasta topper.Either way, it tastes good.

Enjoy!Original Recipe with Meat-filling can be found here.