Definitely NOT Rat’s Patootie!

Today was SUCH a great day! It was finally warm (well, Chicago warm, 60*) and sunny, I got to see a former coworker after work, and when I got home, there was not one but TWO packages waiting for me! They were both about the same size, but from two VERY different places.

The first I opened was from Krista over at Krista’s Kravings, and she and I agreed to do a local food swap! There is a package of mostly-Chicago goodies en route to Canada as we speak! It was seriously like the first night of Hanukkah for me, opening this box because it was full of SUCH AMAZING THINGS!!! I have a feeling that not many of the munchies will make it through tonight!

SUCH wonderful goodies! I can't wait to try them all!! THANK YOU SO MUCH KRISTA!!!

In addition to all these edibles, ALL of which I cannot wait to try, there was the cutest little kitchen/tea towel:

I believe that describes me well!

While I was opening up the first amazing package, I noticed a delicious smell coming from the other package. I couldn’t quite place it… sweet for sure. I opened the box to see a TRAY OF BLONDIES from none other than VEGGIEGIRL!!! I feel like I’ve “arrived” in blogland, now that I’ve gotten blondies from VG! They smell absolutely amazing, and upon reading the card (Frank Lloyd Wright stained glass window on the front, very nice! He was a Chicagoan!) I found out that they are chocolate chip hazelnut blondies. Just look how beautiful!

Thank you SO MUCH, VEGGIE GIRL!!!

The first one will be my dessert when Adam gets home from work! (I’m on major exclamation point overload today.)

Bonjour, Remy!

Yet again, since Adam is working late tonight, I decided to make something that I knew he wouldn’t eat. I know, it sounds mean, but sometimes I like to be selfish and make something that ONLY I will eat! There are very few things Adam just WON’T eat:

• mushrooms
• zucchini
• eggplant
• too many onions
• green peppers

Not bad… but considering that those are some of my favorite vegetables, sometimes I’m a little limited in my cooking options. Tonight, I made up my mind that dinner had something to do with that little rat up there. Any guesses? (pause for guessing) Yup, I made ratatouille!

Both my mom and grandma made ratatouille throughout Spring and Summer as long as I could remember. Mom’s always had more capers and tomatoes, and grandma’s was always full of eggplant. We’d eat mom’s warm with parmesan cheese, or cold after a long day at camp. Grandma’s was always served on pasta also with parmesan cheese, but always warm. Both were always delicious, and always extremely healthy (they were both way ahead of their time!) I asked my mom a while back about her “Rat” recipe (we always called it Rat). She referred me to this recipe by Craig Claiborne and said “I just used a couple tablespoons of olive oil instead of the 1/3 cup it calls for.” So I tried it. And it came out JUST how I remembered! I made it a point to eat it in one of my grandma’s bowls with one of my grandma’s spoons.

Nostalgia in a bowl, with Parmesan on top

Just an FYI: This recipe, sans Parmesan cheese is not only vegetarian, but vegan! It’s extremely low in calories and fat, and very satisfying!

Thanks for the recipe, Axor (In case you’ve wondered, if you ever see “axor” make a comment on my blog, it’s my mom! LONG story!) I have about 3 servings left for lunches and the freezer… and as the produce gets better and more local, trust me, I’ll be making this again!

Another huge thank you to Krista and VeggieGirl for TOTALLY making my day!

Tagged as: family recipe, simple recipe, vegetables, vegetarian