Julian Apples

Last week some friends and I went up to Ravin Hill Orchard in Julian, CA to pick apples. Patrick, the man who was tending the orchard, insists that Julian apples should never be cooked in a pie. It amused me to watch my friends proceed to ignore his expert advice and plan a backing party anyway.

Apples grown in Julian have the advantage of southern California weather, where it snows for five minutes a year and the sun shines a lot. These conditions produce a sweet appley apple that does not need the assistance of sugar and spice. So I agree with Patrick, you shouldn't bake these apples. Instead I enjoy mine raw either alone or in a simple salad.

Apple Salad:
3small apples (I got mostly Empires)
lemon juice
almonds slivered
spices (ginger and cinnamon work well)
yogurt
tahini

Mix in equal parts yogurt and tahini (I do three spoonfuls of each) toss in the rest of the ingredients. Enjoy.

My dad said I could write a dieting book telling people what to eat based on what I eat. Sadly, I thought of this already. I have a crazy theory that if people ate what I do they would be healthier. He thought that they would think they could be as thin as I am. Um, my metabolism is fierce. SO healthier would be a better thing to promote.

I say eat food enjoy life. Don't make yourself sick though.

Merinated Eggplant and Mushrooms

olive oil
the juice of 1 lemon
pinch of basil
pinch of mint
1 eggplant sliced
2 cloves of garlic sliced
1 onion chopped
4 mushrooms chopped
black pepper to taste
green onion (optional)

Mix together all ingredients except green onion in a glass or non-reactive baking dish. Let it sit for at least 30min to marinade.
Bake at 400f for 45min.
Serve over pasta with green onion as garnish

Note: I still need to adjust this recipe.

serves 4-6

Eggplant, Green Bean and Beet Casserole

flour
1 eggplant sliced
olive oil
2 handfuls green beans
1/2 onion choped
1 Tbsp. ginger
1 Tbsp. nutmeg
1 Tbsp. curry powder
4 small boiled beets and 1/4 cup liquid
1/4 cooked rice
bread crumbs
3 eggs
1/4 cup milk
black pepper (optional)

dust bottom of casserole dish with flour
slice eggplant seer in olive oil
layer with green beans in casserole dish
fry onion, ginger, nutmeg, curry powder
add beet liquid
pour over contents in casserole dish
add beets
layer rice and bread crumbs on top
beat together eggs and milk
grind in fresh black peper (if desiered)
pour on top
bake covered at 350 for 60min.
serves 4

food log

day 4:
1 bagel
1Tsp cream cheese
1 piece of chocolate
veggie chips
1 handful trail mix
24oz milk
3 biscuits
1 bowl of chili
1/4 cup rice
1/2 cup chard
20oz water

day 5:
6 biscuits
1 bowl vegetable stew
24oz milk
2 pieces of chocolate
veggie chips
9 shrimp
1 handful salad greens
1/4 avocado
2tsp barbecue sauce
pecans
5 thin slices of Munster
1 tortilla
28oz water
1 bottle of black cherry soda

food log

day 1:

2 slices of sourdough bread
5 think slices of Munster cheese
some green onion
1 Tsp. peanut butter
1/2 banana
1 mug GoodEarth tea
1 red snapper
1/4 cup corn
1/2 cup potato salad
1 cup chard
2 cups squash pudding
1/4 cup cabochie squash
1 bagel with neuftchel cheese
20oz of green tea
Amy's lasagna
3 slices of caned peach
4 biscuits
48oz water

day 2:
1 mushroom
2 small cloves garlic
1 slice of eggplant
1 tsp. butter
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 slice of sourdough bread
3 biscuits
1/2 of a turnip
1/2 cup lima beans
16oz milk
2 hand fulls rice
2 hand fulls peas
1/2 cup lima beans
3 tag-a-longs
1 key lime cream soda
veggie chips
2 pieces of chocolate
1 biscuit
48+ oz water

day 3:
3 biscuits
1 slice of Munster cheese
1 bowl vegetable stew
3 biscuits
16oz milk
1 spoon avocado
veggie chips
2 chocolates
2 bean and cheese burritos
8oz cocamoca