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2 medium large eggplants
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 cup homemade bread crumbs – recipe to follow
2 cups tomato sauce – homemade or canned
1 pound fresh Mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
fresh basil leaves
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Slice the eggplant horizontally into 1/3inch slices. Sprinkle
the eggplant with salt and pepper. Heat half of the olive oil in a
saute pan and lightly brown the eggplant on both sides.
Lightly coat a cookie sheet with olive oil, starting with the 4 largest pieces of eggplant place them on the cookie sheet. Add a few spoonfuls of tomato sauce followed by a slice of the fresh Mozzarella cheese, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and continue to layer the eggplant slices on top of each other repeating with the sauce and cheese on each layer from largest to smallest. The final layer should be covered with the remainder of the sauce and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.
To plate it, make a small pile of bread crumbs and set one serving of
the eggplant parmesan on top. Tear some basil leaves and spread them
around the plate follow up with a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of
Parmesan cheese.
Repeat procedure for the rest of the eggplant.

Homemade Breadcrumbs

4 slices day old bread of your choice
olive oil
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 450°F.

Slice the bread into very small cubes and spread them out on a cookie sheet. Drizzle them with olive oil and a dash of salt and pepper. Bake until golden brown.

Serves 4

Note: Eggplants can be peeled, if desired
Substitute Daiya Vegan Cheese to make this a vegan recipe

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5 ounces silken tofu
2 cups sugar
1 can coconut milk
1 1/2 cups coconut flakes
2/3 cup canola oil
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Using a paper towel, lightly wipe the inside of a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with canola oil.
Place tofu, sugar, coconut milk, coconut flakes and canola oil in the bowl of a food processor and puree until thick and uniform in texture.
In a large bowl, sift the flour, baking soda and baking powder.
Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients.
Mix until combined. The batter will be thick.
Pour batter into the prepared cake pan.
Bake for approximately 40 minutes, or until top is golden brown.
Cool the cake on a rack while preparing the frosting.

Frosting
1/2 cup coconut milk
2 cups Earth Balance nondairy butter, or another brand
Powdered sugar (add until desired thickness is obtained)
coconut flakes, toasted – for garnish, optional

Heat the butter in a microwave safe bowl until it is melted.
Place the melted butter and coconut milk in a blender.
Blend on a low speed, adding in the powdered sugar until the desired
thickness is obtained.
For added decoration, sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top of cake.

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2 tablespoons vegetable oil (coconut oil or canola oil)
2 tablespoons water or almond milk
Few drops of vanilla extract
dash of salt
pinch of instant coffee powder (optional)
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons all purpose flour

In a 12 ounce coffee mug, whisk well – oil, water, vanilla extract, salt and coffee (optional).
Add sugar and cocoa powder, whisk thoroughly. Add flour and whisk well.
Microwave for 60-75 seconds: 60 seconds for molten bottom; 75 seconds for uniformly done.
Enjoy with a spoon and maybe a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Use caution – brownie will be hot!

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3/4 cup lentils, washed and drained
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 shallots, thinly sliced
1 carrot, 1/4 inch dice
1 celery stalk, 1/4 inch dice
1 red pepper, 1/4 inch dice
2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
6 ounces fresh spinach, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Place the lentils in a saucepan, covered with water.
Bring to a boil.
Simmer for 15 minutes.
Drain the lentils.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Add shallots, sauté for 2 minutes.
Add carrot, celery and pepper; sauté, stirring, for 5 minutes more.
Add parsley and vinegar.
Remove from heat.
Transfer to a bowl.
Add the drained lentils to the bowl.
Stir in the spinach.
Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 4