I'm back in business, baby! My family has officially moved to Naples, Italy. We're currently staying at the Navy Lodge, which is actually a lot more comfortable than I expected. Our room is basically a two bedroom apartment with full kitchen, living room, and a washer/dryer. I'm still equipmentally challenged, but I should be able to keep up with the group until we're able to move into our apartment. It's going to take a while. There are all sorts of contract loops to jump through, and the earliest appointment they could give us for the "pre-contract meeting" was September 25th. Oy. If I'm lucky, we'll move in by November. It'll be worth it, though...
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| View from the kitchen terrace. AHHHHHHH! |
Anyway,
Eggplant "Tartine" with Tomatoes, Olives, and Cucumber was within my capabilities for this week. Thank goodness the stove here came with a baking sheet, because the one I brought from home is way too big to fit. Woops.
I was disappointed that there was no bread involved in this tartine. I don't really see how this could be considered a tartine, by any definition. Unfortunately, I forgot to peel my eggplant. The skin was extremely tough, so we couldn't eat it, and the eggplant's flesh clung to it for dear life, so this turned out to be harder to eat than it should have been. That may be the reason why I felt like I preferred the tomato/cucumber/caper salad on its own, and that the eggplant didn't contribute. (I couldn't find a normal size jar of olives. Everything was enormous. My fridge is small. The olives didn't make the cut.)
This dish was unremarkable to me. Not bad, but unmemorable. Matt's not a huge eggplant fan to begin with, so he won't be asking for it again. He ate it, but I don't think it overwhelmed him with eggplant love.
Regardless, it feels good to be cooking with the group again, and I'm glad that this was a straightforward recipe that I could handle. Ciao!
Nice view!!!! I wish that everything goes smoothly with your relocation!
ReplyDeleteWoot, woot! Glad to see you back in action and that you made it over in one piece.
ReplyDeleteI liked the salad on top part better than the whole eggplant thingy part.
Good luck with the housing.
Congratulations on your move!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! And, ever since my move, one of my baking sheets is rendered useless because it's too large for my new, smaller stove. Great post!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back to the group! At least Matt ate this...my hubby wouldn't have anything to do with it...LOL. Have a lovely weekend~
ReplyDeleteSo nice to see that you are actually posting from Naples! I must say, that I am a bit envious, I would love to go and visit Naples one day, it looks so interesting and I am sure that the food there must be terrific. I love the presentation of your aubergine tartine, even if you did not enjoy the peel - I opted for a somewhat different presentation.
ReplyDeleteHope all went well with the move! Looking forward to your upcoming posts from Naples!
Oh my goodness, what a view! And a great adventure ahead. I'm excited to hear what you're up to each week!!
ReplyDeleteYour dish still looks lovely, even if it wasn't your favorite. I did a method comparison with the eggplant, so at least I learned something!!!
Welcome back, enjoy the fresh ingredients you'll get in Italy. I noticed a lot of people left their skin on I wonder if they had issues with it too?
ReplyDeleteBravo, Ei, you're up and running. Honestly, we probably don't care so much about your reflections on the tartine, we want to know all about Naples and your experiences and your thoughts, blah, blah, blah. I think of you as I thought about Mardi all Summer, we can live an Italian experience through you just as we lived an French experience through Mardi. Not quite like being there but I have a huge imagination! I agree, an aubergine should not be substituted for bread. Especially if you're in Europe. Be safe, good luck and please keep joining us weekly. Thank you for letting us know you landed safely.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful view from your kitchen terrace! I'm with you on the tartine....where's the bread? I look forward to following your adventures in your Naples kitchen!
ReplyDeleteNaples! I'm so jealous. you will enjoy so much good food (and wine) while you are there I'm sure. hope everything goes smoothly with the transition.
ReplyDeleteI've missed you! I'm so glad you are settling in well (having recovered from that flight!!)
ReplyDeleteand that view?? - I am SO jealous
XO
What is it with husbands and eggplant? Mine won't touch it, though he did like the salsa on its own. I'm glad to see you back in action. Naples will be exciting! Can't wait to hear how it's going.
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog from the French Fridays with Dorie website. What an awesome concept-I'll looking forward to reading your posts! I'm an Army wife stationed in France....get used to getting NO sympathy from friends back home about your European posting. It might indeed be an awesome place to live, but it doesn't make it an easy place to live. They only see the awesome.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you. I found Naples such an interesting city... great seafood. Enjoy yourself.
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