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Thursday, April 22, 2010

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.

47 comments:

  1. Looks really nice easy to make it. Regarding biodegradable plates i like it.

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  2. Very nice post about Earth Day. I agree that even the small things we do make a difference. Loving the plates too! I also think your eggplant dish is very nice. I have never seen this before..like so many other nice dishes you have introduced me to. It looks very delicious.

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  3. Very nice post about Earth Day. I agree that even the small things we do make a difference. Loving the plates too! I also think your eggplant dish is very nice. I have never seen this before..like so many other nice dishes you have introduced me to. It looks very delicious.

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  4. Very nice post about Earth Day. I agree that even the small things we do make a difference. Loving the plates too! I also think your eggplant dish is very nice. I have never seen this before..like so many other nice dishes you have introduced me to. It looks very delicious.

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  5. Cool plates - very green too...

    I have an award waiting for you on my blog...

    http://cookingfoodie.blogspot.com/p/awards-and-winnings.html

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  6. Good info dear. Lovely plates and beautiful dish. Never heard of it or even saw it.

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  7. What perfect timing for the plates! MarxFoods is on the BALL.

    Your timbale is so pretty! I love that it serves 2 rather than 500 like most recipes do...so much better when you're cooking for one!

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  8. Thanks for sharing that website. Dish looks so delicious.

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  9. good info and good suggestions for earth day....
    awesome plates looks really so cute....

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  10. Looks very nice and easy to make it.. lovely...

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  11. மிகவும் அருமையான உணவு....உங்களுக்கு இனிய Earth Day ...
    இந்த உணவினை ஒரு முறை food networkயில் everyday Italian showவில் பார்த்து இருக்கின்றேன்...அப்பொழுதில் இருந்து இதனை செய்ய ஆசை...ஆனால் என்னவோ செய்ய முடியாமல் போய் கொண்டு இருக்கின்றது...திரும்பவும் நியபகம் செய்துவிட்டிங்க...நன்றி...

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  12. cool plates.. Love the timbale .. looks easy to make ... Beautiful pictures as always

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  13. eggplant timbale looks so delicious and a perfect pick for the earth day!

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  14. oooh! im loving these plates! i have to get some! marxfoods is awesome!

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  15. VEry informative read....loved the olates and the dish too....Happy earth day to u too...

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  16. Happy Earth day to you too.A vry nicely presented pasta recipe.The ECO plates look awesome.

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  17. Oh...forgotten to say...the new look of ur blog is nice....

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  18. I've been meaning to make this and your dish is so lovely that I want to eat it right now! Thanks for submitting to Presto Pasta Nights!

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  19. Nice and apt post about Earth Day. This recipe is unique and different. Looks delicious. Haven't come across something like this earlier. Nice pics too.

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  20. Hy Cool Lassi,

    Happy Earth day to you...!

    Thanx for dropping by 'Tasty Appetite' and dropping your lovely comments. You got a wondrful blog with rich n healthy collection of recipes too. Fascinated by your awesome clicks. Glad to follow you dear.

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  21. The plates look really awesome :) Nice post and I will do my best to protect our earth and the dish amazing work !!!

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  22. Lassie, you have echoed my sentiments on the subject of Earth Day! Those plates look like a great idea for eco-friendliness!!! The timbale...great recipe...I love all the recipes you post with eggplant!

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  23. Awesome plates and delicious dish.
    Great post x

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  24. Good info and those plates sounds very interesting, dunno whether we get here..

    Eggplant timbale looks fantastic..

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  25. A very good post to promote earth day! Have a nice weekend ahead.

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  26. wow...how you come up with such fancy looking dishes...so impressive...

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  27. Terrific post and wonderful pasta surprise packets. Thanks so much for sharing this tasty eggplant dish with Presto Pasta Nights.

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  28. Terrific post and wonderful pasta surprise packets. Thanks so much for sharing this tasty eggplant dish with Presto Pasta Nights.

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  29. Nice post and a lovely recipe! I love the green plates:)

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  30. I did get your entries. But it was after I had composed the roundup. Sorry, I should've sent you an email earlier. I am going to include them in next week's roundup.

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  31. Hi Lassie, we had Earth day on 27th March and I am so glad that my kids are quite aware of it.
    I liked the preparation, the eggplant slices folded in like a flower bud, looks so beautiful!!!

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  32. Happy Earth day to you too.I'm big on Reducing,Reusing and Recycle for greener Earth.Pasta dish looks awesome in the one of a kind platter :D

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  33. Awesome dish... I love eggplants... Great post, as well... very impressive CL!!!!

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  34. The plates look awesome and your eggplant dish is fabulous!

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  35. Yes the little things and each one of us do makes the biggest difference

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  36. That's a healthy and tasty eggplant timbale. You have a great blog here.

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  37. I know these plates..Have seen them in India too:-) That was a perfect tip to share on Earth day :-)
    Timbale looks wonderful !

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  38. Very thoughtful and insightful post' recipe sound unique and nice.:)

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  39. Very thoughtful post dear...thanks for sharing all the wonderful info and about the plates too. Love the timbale, looks good with the eggplants all wrapped up in that yummy filling :)

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  40. Nice info about the earth day n that timbale looks so classy....u have presented it with simplicity.... awesome CL...

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  41. wow very tempting pasta n eggpalnt dish lassie...hey love this palm plates...thy look nice n are eco friendly thats the best part

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  42. I like these plates. My amma used to buy them all the time and give some to us when we visit. Your eggplant timbale bundle looks yum. I love egg plant and this is such a neat dish to make. My god the songs are growing on me. How often do you update the music.

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  43. I love those plates...and the eggplant dish looks fantastic!

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Thanks a bunch for your valuable comments and continued support.They are very much appreciated. Yes,like "Rain on Dry Land" and like "Oasis in Desert Sand".
XoXo, Cool Lassi(e)