Eggplant Parmigiana

I had Eggplant Parmigiana for the first time years ago at my favorite Ft. Wayne restaurant:

Casa Ristoranti Italiano

My mom got me the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook as a wedding present and it is my go-to reference for just about all of our meals. When we first got married, I started making this wonderful dish and it has become a family favorite! Even Luke likes it! Love that!

Wash and peel your eggplant.

Next cut crosswise into 1/2 inch pieces.

Mix 1 beaten egg and 1 tablespoon of water in a bowl.

Collect 1/4 cup of flour in a bowl.

This time I used whole wheat flour and it worked just fine. You can use whatever flour you want!

Dip the eggplant pieces in the egg mixture and coat both sides.

Now dip the coated pieces in flour and coat both sides.

In a large skillet cook eggplant, half at a time, in 2 tablespoons of hot oil 4-6 minutes, turning once.

Cook until golden brown.


Drain eggplant on papertowel.


Layer pieces in a 2 - qt. rectangular baking dish (cutting pieces to fit) and sprinkle with 1/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.

Top with meatless spaghetti sauce and 3/4 cup of mozzarella cheese.

Bake in 400 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.

Serve with salad and garlic bread.

Ingredients:

1 small eggplant (12 ounces)
1 beaten egg
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cooking oil
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup meatless spaghetti sauce
3/4 cup mozzarella cheese

Prep: 25 min. Bake: 10 min. Oven: 400 degrees Makes: 4 servings

Four Weeks Young

While the boys played in the snow Micah and I hung out inside. At 2:31 pm today Micah turned 4 weeks young! We are loving having him as part of our family and I am loving not being 42 weeks pregnant!

Actually I lied! I really do miss being pregnant. I have no idea why? Maybe because this guy was the result? So very worth it! Worth it all.

More Snow?!

Bloomington has had some unnecessary snow this winter. We have thought that we were pretty special living here in southern Indiana having moved from South Bend! Luckily we have not had to go anywhere...well me at least! I think that the kids here have had something like 7 snow days!!!!!!!!! I am so glad that I don't have to worry about that!

What is that bright light? Obviously we have been inside too long...Luke is saying that he "needs sunglasses"

Phil using Luke's tiny snow shovel

and Luke uses the big shovel

Phil nailed me with a snowball. Luckily I was behind the glass door!

Hats!

Mom made all of us matching IU hats!

Daddy and His Boys

Love Day

I made the boys hankies for Valentines Day!

Now they each have their very own.

Luke is checking out his "L"
I monogrammed an "L" on Lukes' and an "M" for Micah just like all of the "P's" on daddys'

Luke loves to open Valentines!

Feel the love!

Our very perfect Valentine.

Luke is showing Micah his new hankie!

These are my flowers that were delivered on Tuesday.

What a wonderful surprise they were! You might think that they are from Phil but you would be wrong. They are from Barret & McNagney!!!!!! That's right. Phils' future employer sent me flowers to welcome baby Micah! We are thrilled! Phil kept saying "now that's a good sign!" It was very thoughtful of them to think of us and he does not start his job there until September. I think that it warmed Phils' heart as much as it warmed mine. Hopefully it warms your heart too! There are some pretty neat people in this world.

Speaking of Phil...I want to take this opportunity to brag on him for a moment. I received plenty of compliments from various people in the hospital on what an amazing husband he is! I already know it but it is gratifying to hear others say it too. Also, when I was signing us in at the pediatricians office for one of Micahs' appointments Phil came in after me carrying Micah and the diaper bag. The receptionist looked at me and confidently said "now that is a good daddy. He knows just what he is doing." I don't even know if she knew that we were all together!

Sunday night Phil told me a story about his tax class. In this particular class the students are recommended to do the practice problems in the text book. In the first sequence of practice questions at the beginning of the semester Phil found a discrepancy in one of the questions and asked about it in class. At that time the professor did not have an answer for him and they concluded that maybe a mistake was made in the printing of the text book. The professor said that she would check with the publisher and try to get back to him. Fast forward to Sunday night when Phil got an email from his professor letting him know that she had heard back from the publisher. It turns out that there was a mistake made in the practice questions and in all of the 20 YEARS of the life of this text book NOBODY had ever found the mistake! The publisher told Phils' professor to congratulate the student on finding the mistake!!!!!! As Phil was telling me this story I was just smiling and shaking my head because of course my husband would find the one mistake that had been waiting in that text book for 20 YEARS!

That is just so Phil! He is the best husband, daddy, and proofreader that there ever was...and I totally love him for it!

Elmo Bed

Time to take apart the crib.

Luke is not sad about it one bit!

Luke got to help "take crib apart"

He even wanted to help carry it down the stairs and out into the garage.

Daddy and Luke put the new Elmo bed together. Luke kept jumping around saying "Yay Elmo bed"

It took a long time to put it together but it was worth the wait.

Using the Allen wrench

This is the part of the bed that Luke calls the "train tracks" Can you see why?

So HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Momma shows Luke how to make his own bed.

So proud and happy but exhausted! We all are...

I made Phil peek in and take a picture after he fell asleep. Luckily he didn't wake up...in fact he slept all night 9:00 PM - 9:00 AM!!!! Mommy and daddy love that! I think that we are going to like this bed a lot! Last night was his first night in his bed. His nap today went well too, at least that is what he told me! He did sleep 2 1/2 hours!

Puppy Pants

It is awesome to be able to reuse a lot of Lukes' cute clothes. These "puppy pants" are a family favorite!

Micah is so sweet.

I love all of his spontaneous smiles and laughs!

So Ready For Baseball Season

I am so glad that the Superbowl is over...now we can move on to more important things...like baseball! Here Luke is breaking in his cubbies gear for the 2010 season. I personally am wondering when my baby grew up? Am I a broken record or what? I guess I better get used to it. That's why I had another one right?

Yep, he already looks "too cool" for mom!

Ladies watch out! Colts blue, Cubbies blue, it doesn't matter...get this kid in blue!

The Superbowl 2010

Luke looks good in Colts blue.

Of course the is a Colts sleeper for Micah...Micah has so many clothes!

We thought that Luke wanted to hold Micah in his Colts chair...as you can see from his expression that he had something else in mind!

He has a mind of his own for sure!

So maybe next year?