My Story in Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • Blog Posts
  • My Story
  • Connect

Pasta with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Eggplant

6/3/2022

1 Comment

 
Picture
Last month we travelled to Jersey City with some friends for a wedding.  We had a few hours to kill before the main event and we decided we would do a little sight seeing in the Big Apple.  Leave it to me to squeeze in a walk through Times Square, Broadway, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State building and Bryant park - all before noon.  (Vacationing with me is anything but relaxing. 😅)  When you only have an afternoon to take in all the sights of New York City - you have to move fast.  🤣🤣👟



​To round out our afternoon in the city - we jumped on the subway and rode it South to Little Italy.  Our goal was to find a place to get some lunch before we had to head back to our hotel to get ourselves wedding ready.   ​
Picture
It just so happened that we stumbled on the most amazing little restaurant in all of Little Italy.  We chose it based solely on the darling little trattoria set up on the edge of the bustling street.  We had no idea that the experience that we were about to embark upon would be an unforgettable memory.
Picture
The owner/hostess/waitress/sommelier/manager, which we later discovered was named Carmella, curtly instructed us where to sit, promptly handed each of us a menu and snapped at a waiter who quickly poured a glass of water for each of us.  After several minutes, Carmella returned to our table and instead of taking our orders, she unapologetically assigned a meal to each one of us.  In most cases, it wasn't the dish that we would have chosen but quite honestly, she spoke with such authority that we were afraid to question her choices.  🤣
​

When Carmella left our table, we had absolutely no idea what food was going to appear in front of us but we felt confident that it was going to be delicious. 🍝  Our assumptions were correct.  The had the amazing eggplant parmesan dish and as if that wasn't enough, I also devoured a slice of someone else's pizza.  🍕🤣  I'm not sure I have the words to adequately describe the meal but let's just say - Carmella knew exactly what she was doing - right down to the 2 bottles of wine that she chose to accompany our lunch.  😅

Roasted eggplant is my go-to an any Italian restaurant.  I love the flavor of the silky vegetable and I'm always trying to incorporate new ways to make it at home.  This Pasta with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Eggplant recipe is really amazing.  The sweetness of the tomatoes, the earthyness of the eggplant and the bright fresh basil really go so well together.  I'm not as bold as Carmella but if I were to recommend a pasta dish for eggplant lovers - it might just be this one.  😉
Picture
Pasta with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Eggplant
1 pound pasta
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/3 cup olive oil
1 1/2 pounds eggplant, peeled and shredded
6 garlic cloves, sliced thin
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3/4 cup oil packed sun dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
3/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Picture
Picture
Cook pasta in salted water.  
Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water.  Drain pasta.
Picture
Picture
Heat oil in 12" skillet.  Add eggplant, garlic, thyme, pepper, red pepper flakes and salt.  Cook 8 minutes. 
Add tomatoes and 1 1/2 cups water and bring to a simmer.  
Picture
Picture
Reduce heat.  Cover and cook 12 minutes. 
Discard thyme.  Add eggplant mixture, basil and reserved cooking water to pasta.
Picture
Add pasta and toss to coat.
Picture
Serve with parmesan cheese.

​Ciao!
Click here for a printable version of this recipe
1 Comment
Mom
6/4/2022 02:49:51 pm

YES! I have it on the menu for July 9th. LYF

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Like my page on facebook.

    Follow me on Instagram


    Follow Me on Pinterest

    Categories

    All
    30 Minute Meals
    30-minute-meals
    Big Green Egg Recipes
    Chocolate
    Christmas Classics
    Comfort Foods
    Crock Pot Meals
    Fall Favorites
    Healthy-choices
    Healthy-choices
    My Favorites
    Springtime Treats
    St Patrick's Day Goodies
    Summertime Specialties
    Thanksgiving Classics
    Valentine Treats
    Vegetarian
    Winter Warm Ups

    Archives

    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011

  • Recipe Index
  • Blog Posts
  • My Story
  • Connect