Roasted Veggies 2 Way - Eggplant and Mushrooms

Eating vegetables can help you lose weight, lower cholesterol and feel more energized. They contain vitamins, minerals and fiber. Finding quick and easy  ways to incorporate vegetables into your diet is an important step towards better health! 

Just a little info on these powerful veggies...

Eggplant: 

• helps to lowers cholesterol, which improves heart health. 
• It contains an antioxidant, nasunin, which helps remove excess iron in the body (this is a good thing), and helps prevent joint damage by attacking free radicals. 

Mushrooms:

• have been used for thousands of years as a food and medicine
• Excellent source of potassium
• Rich in niacin, riboflavin and selenium
• Recent research has shown that white button mushrooms help reduce the risk of breast and prostate cancers!

Below are two recipes for roasted eggplant and mushrooms - the great thing is that they are quick and easy and cost effective. Both recipes are low fat, low sodium, good sources of protein, and vegan. They are no guilt meals. Gotta love that. 

Grocery List for both recipes: 1 large eggplant, 1 container mushrooms, 1 can garbanzo beans, 1 lemon, 1 package whole wheat pasta, 1 jar organic tomato sauce, Ezekiel or other whole grain bread

Roasted Eggplant and Mushroom Pasta

Slice the eggplant into 1" cubes and combine the eggplant and the carton of mushrooms into a casserole dish. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper and garlic powder. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. 

Serve with marinara sauce and whole wheat pasta. 

*I highly recommend Racconto Whole Wheat Pasta. It has 8 different WHOLE grains and 8 grams of protein per serving! You can buy it at Whole Foods. Yes, whole wheat pasta can take a little getting used to, but the more you eat more whole foods, the more your palette will change, and the better it will taste. 

Roasted Eggplant and Mushroom Sandwiches with Homemade Hummus

Slice the eggplant into 1" cubes and combine the eggplant and the carton of mushrooms into a casserole dish. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper and garlic powder. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. 

Serve on Ezekiel bread with hummus and sliced cucumbers. 

Homemade Hummus: 

1 can of Garbanzo beans - rinsed - to a food processor. Add a clove of garlic and the juice of 1/2 lemon. Salt and pepper as desired. Blend until smooth. You can also add a few pieces of roasted eggplant to give it a  different flavor. 

Happy eating! 

Sources: 

Winston Craig, "Health Benefits of Mushrooms" http://www.vegetarian-nutrition.info/updates/mighty-mushrooms.php

www.eggplantnutrition.com 

Hummus recipe adapted from: Esselstyn, Caldwell. Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease

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