Eggplant Caponata

INGREDIENTS

2 cups olive oil
2 lbs. eggplant, cut into 1″ cubes (1-2 medium sized eggplant)
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 package celery, roughly chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste
3 tbsp. tomato paste, thinned with ¼ cup water (substitute ketchup)
1 cup crushed canned tomatoes
6 oz. green olives, pitted and roughly chopped
½ cup white wine vinegar
½ cup golden raisins (red is ok too)
¼ cup salt-packed capers, rinsed and drained
5 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. finely grated unsweetened chocolate
1  cup finely shredded basil
2 tbsp. pine nuts
Mini crostinis- toasted

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Spinach-Cheese Swirls

This recipe is from the back of the box with minor changes.  It was too hectic with finding and making the ugly sweaters and our husbands joining us that I had to cheat.

Thaw: 40 mins Prep: 20 min Bake: 15 min  Makes: 20 pieces

INGREDIENTS

1 sheet Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets (2 sheets in a package)
1 egg
1 tbsp water
½ cup shredded Muenster cheese or Monterey Jack cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 green onion, chopped (I sautéed in butter but you don’t have to)
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1 package (about 10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained

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16th Meeting - Ugly Sweater Exchange

How is it possible that we haven’t seen each other in almost three months. I hosted the Holiday Exchange this year right around the time of our 2^nd Anniversary. I can’t believe how fast time has flown by. I feel like we were just talking about Shayni’s sweater and how we are all going to go get it. We were going to be The Sisterhood of the Super Cute and Trendy Sweater!  The group has lost a couple of members but gained a couple as well;  but for the most part we are stronger than ever. The reason why this works is because we are all dedicated to this. It’s that one time of month (no not that time) where we get to hang out with each other and just eat, dance, joke, play games, drink, bitch, learn some new yoga moves (Vaishali, I think we need another session!)and if nothing else we get to go away from real life for just a few hours.

 

This exchange was a little different than our usual exchange. First and foremost, Hetal and Vaishali couldn’t make it to this so felt their absence. Second, the husbands were invited. And third, it was an Ugly Holiday Sweater Exchange. I was so happy to see that everyone participated; even though a couple of outfits were a lot less ugly, might I even say something you can wear on a daily basis. You know who you are!

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