Updated Eggplant Parmesan

I've already shared an Eggplant Parmesan recipe with you that I really enjoy eating. I don't, however, really enjoy making that recipe. Have you tried it? It's kind of a pain. The worst part is breading all of the super thin slices of eggplant. You have to soak them in water, coat them in egg, and then coat them in breadcrumbs - what a chore!

Well, I recently saw Mario Batali's eggplant parmesan recipe and had to try it. Instead of coating each of the eggplant slices, you just roast them. And then, so you don't lose the yummy crispy breadcrumb aspect of eggplant parmesan, you just toast some breadcrumbs and sprinkle them on top of the whole dish. The process is WAY easier and probably even makes for a lighter dish, which means you can eat more. I served this at a dinner party recently and got rave reviews - even from some guys that "didn't like eggplant". I think you'll enjoy it too.

Cheese Grits

This is a great quick side that I always have the ingredients on-hand for. Grits will keep in your pantry for a long while and I think everyone has cheese in the fridge. It's quick cooking and a good change up from potatoes. The tricky thing about grits is that you can't really make them ahead of time and keep them warm. You want to wait till you're just about ready to eat before you cook them b/c they're best right off the stove. This recipe is one of my own. Enjoy!

Nannie's Potato Salad

This is a family recipe from my great-grandmother for the only potato salad I really love. Most potato salads are too gloppy and mayonnaise-laden for my taste. I love mayonnaise but just in moderation - hence the tiny amount used in my Egg Salad and Pimiento Cheese recipes. I also love the addition of hard boiled eggs to the potato salad. I used to think it had mustard in it but it's really just the egg yolks. As with any potato salad, this is a great make-ahead dish. Hope you enjoy!