Criss-cross applesauce

Tonight, the cooking bug took over me. I started the evening attempting to make eggplant in a way that Kevin would enjoy. He's a much pickier eater than I am. I took the basic recipe from what I learned in Italy this summer (www.madonnadelpiatto.com) and modified it (mainly, adding more mozzarella cheese). Perhaps if I cover it in bread crumbs--so not the Italian way--he will enjoy it more.

I think it is funny about adding cheese because my side of the family, especially to Kevin, are the true cheese lovers. Head to my house on any major holiday and you will be swarmed by the casserole queens with there tasty dishes oozing in cheese. Truly there have been times when everything but the meat had cheese on it (partly because it was potluck, though discussions were had over the menu).

After dinner, which I thought was wonderful, I took out the apples I had bought from the farmer's market and made something somewhere between applesauce and apple butter (I'm not sure I really know the difference anymore. It was delicious (success!), although I have yet to figure out if it's worth the money to do it. It tastes better--which I always think makes it worth it.

Yesterday, I got asked if I was a foodie. With a sigh of resignation, I said "Yes!" "I'm not at all." the woman responded. Honestly, I know it's true that many people aren't around here (if you look at the restaurants around here, you'd see--people settle for the mundane food mostly), but with all of the fresh and tasty ingredients thus far, I just don't get it. There are so many affordable and wonderful options.

Thank goodness I exercised today to make up for all the food I am talking about!