Looking for a ridiculously easy and tasty side dish? Yes. Yes, you are.
I had “eggplant fries” at Hartford’s Taste of the Nation event May 6, courtesy of Joey Garlic’s Pizza. They were crispy, savory, cheesy sticks of heaven, especially with accompanying pomodoro sauce for dipping. But when fried, these can be heavy, as eggplant is a virtual sponge for oil.
At home, I improvised my own baked version. I peeled an eggplant, sliced it into skinny “fry” shapes, tossed the sticks in flour, dipped them in egg white and rolled them in seasoned panko crumbs. Baked at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes, these came out as crunchy and irresistible as their fryolator counterparts. I gave them a small drizzle of olive oil, a small shake of garlic powder and a shower of Parmesan.
A healthy and interesting alternative to potatoes, for sure. I love eggplant, but until now, I haven’t done anything with it beyond baked eggplant parmesan.
We made these last night to go with a pineapple-chipotle marinated pork tenderloin. To drink: Boutari Moschofilero, which I picked up at Table & Vine last week. It’s been seven-plus months since we arrived home from Santorini and I miss it Every. Single. Day.
P.S. Boutari loves Fun With Carbs. Though I’m not sure I’d call it a “healthy eating blog,” based on my multiple KFC Double Down posts alone.
(Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Photo by Diana Guay / ctnow.com
On Monday I helped orchestrate a KFC Double Down taste-test in the Courant newsroom, enlisting about 12 reporters, editors and producers to try the ridiculous sandwich. (If you’ve been living under a rock, it’s the monstrosity created with two fried chicken breasts, cheese and bacon.)
Here’s a link to our recap and another link to the photo gallery shot by Diana Guay, a very, VERY brave vegetarian.
A little background after the jump…
Read the rest of this entry »
Photo courtesy of KFC
KFC announced Thursday that it was rolling out its Double Down sandwich nationwide on Apr. 12.
Read my blog entry at A La Carte.
Where’s the bread, you might be asking? Well, that’s what the fried chicken fillets are for, naturally. Because how else would you hold the cheese, bacon and sauce together.
According to KFC’s nutritional information, the “original recipe” Double Down is only 540 calories. A grilled-chicken version is about 460. You know, in case you’re watching your figure.
No need for any social commentary on this one. America loves its ludicrously fatty foods, and I don’t think that’s going to change anytime soon. That’s why pop-culture phenomenons like This Is Why You’re Fat and “Man v. Food” exist. It’s why we celebrate competitive eaters like Joey Chestnut and televise hot-dog eating competitions on July 4. It’s just no fun to watch people shovel down broccoli.
Memo to KFC, though: maybe not the best timing, sending the news release on April 1.
Leeanne Griffin is a freelance writer and food enthusiast.
