While traveling through Puglia, Italy, this summer, researching and writing about their delicious and healthy cuisine, I was especially taken with these vegeta
rian poplette. Crusty on the outside and creamy on the inside, they are delectable little bites of flavor: garlic, mint and basil, cheese and eggplant. In no more time than it takes to make traditional MEATballs, you can assemble these. The recipe comes to me compliments of Anna Maria Chirone Arno, but I have been able to adapt it for a two person serving by using one large eggplant and one egg, 3/4 cup of cheese. Go hefty on the dried spices. Serve with a plate of orecchiette and you will swear you were in Puglia. Well, wishful thinking anyway. Buon appetito!
Tag: mediterranean diet
What You May Know About Olive Oil
Olive Oil is the king of healthy fats. It is a polyunsaturated fat that is heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and cholesterol-lowering. Many researchers credit olive oils protective effects for the cardiovascular health benefits associated with the Mediterranean diet.
In April, 2013 The New England Journal of Medicine found that consuming four or more tablespoons of olive oil per day, along with adherence to a Mediterranean diet, was conducive to an inverse association with cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke or death from cardiovascular causes). Furthermore, adding nuts to the mix of olive oil and Mediterranean diet strengthened the findings.
Just six months after this study was released came the November, 2013 recommendation from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology that more Americans need to be on statins (cholesterol lowering medication) in order to reduce their risk of coronary heart disease. Wouldn’t you rather “be on” more olive oil instead?