Aubergines taken by storm

I thought I would start this blog with cooking something beginning with "A"... So, I decided on Aubergines and made a meal from an adaptation of a Greek speciality called Papoutsakia. This is aubergines, with mince and cheese.

I tried and tested this on my sister, the guinea pig. Let me tell you she is more than happy to oblige and she is by the far the most honest person when it comes to my cooking. This got a 5 star rating from her.

People usually love or hate aubergines, usually they can have a burny taste on the tongue, but this recipe does not have that. This is a great meal on its own, or as a smaller portion as a starter. Its quick, easy and basically if I can make it, then anyone can.

I unfortunately did not inherit the cooking gene from my mom so am always worried when trying out something, because it rarely turns out the way its meant to. In fact I was always voted by my friends as the person who would most likely order take outs when having a dinner party.

I defintely recommend this meal

Ingredients:
2 Tbs Olive oil
2 Aubergines
450g Mince Meat
5 medium tomatos
1 garlic clove
Feta
Mozzarella
Parmesan

First thing you need to do is cut the Aubergines lengthwise in half and cut out the inner flesh. Then chop the flesh and put it to the side. Boil the Aubergines in a pot of boiling water for around 10min until the skin has softened, take out and drain.
Blend the tomatoes (you could also use ready passata to save on time). Put some olive oil in a sauce pan with the chopped garlic clove until golden and then add the pureed tomato. Once this tomato puree is boiling take off heat. In another pan add a little olive oil and the chopped up aubergine flesh, sautee this until golden brown and then add the mince until all cooked. Add the tomato puree to the mince and flesh and cook through. Take it off the heat and leave to cool.

Place the aubergine shells in a row in a corning ware and fill with the mince meat mixture. Crumble Feta cheese and Parmesan on top and then place some mozarella on top. Cover with foil and place in the oven at 180 degrees for 45 min.

Result: Deeeelicious

P.S Planning a trip to Rome, so excited so will update you on those details soon!

Travel Bug Hits hard

Hi All,

Wow, well let me just say that I am brand new at this blogging thing... so please forgive me as I learn the ropes!

I arrived in london a few months ago and I have been completely bitten by the travel bug. Experiencing different cultures really awakens the soul and the key to most of this is food. Food is probably the biggest distinguishable cultural difference for most nationalities, so by experiencing their food you are experinecing a massive part of their culture. As much as I love travelling, I love to experience cultures in my own home just as much.

Which brings me to the basis of this blog - mixing travel and cooking. My life revolves around planning my next trip and my next meal, its such an exhilirating experience. The amount of time I spend researching for a trip, accomodation (good location, good price and cleanliness) is crazy and can be exhausting especially when you are trying to get all three points in one and when there is usually a group of 10 or more going as well finding great places to go to. Of course you always need to leave space for flexibility. The best thing about travelling is experiencing some spontaneity in an unknown world.

Please join me in my preparations as well as through my journeys of my trips.
Hope you enjoy the ride...