Eggplant Vinaigrette | Day 3 of 31 days of Salad

Eggplant vinaigrette is one of my favorite salads ever. The one I rarely make because it pushes my limits - this salad is kind of a pain to make. You need to chop the eggplant into teeny-tiny pieces, and the tomatoes too - after you remove all the seeds. Yet, it's worth it.

Kind of like how when you're a kid and you play checkers with someone who never just lets you win and then you WIN[!] after the 10th time. So gratifying.

Today we all pushed our limits. In the morning we went rafting. I jumped off a 24 ft rock. Enzo jumped twice. Then we zip-lined. Enzo zip-lined twice. 

Maria stayed behind and was terribly sad. 

Poor baby, we totally pushed her limits.

 

After rafting we went out to eat and had a huge lunch. So when I was back home with my baby and a full belly and adrenaline still pumping through my veins I decided I could push myself, no problem, and make an eggplant vinaigrette for dinner, something light, nourishing, and colorful. Something that would keep me on my toes.

Eggplant Vinaigrette
(printable version)


4 cups finely diced eggplant (about 1 medium sized eggplant)
4 cups boiling water
2 tomatoes finely diced, remove seeds
1/2 cup grated onion
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

1. Place the diced eggplant in a colander and slowly pour the boiling water over the eggplant.Pour cold water over the eggplant so it cools down. Drain all of the excess water and put the eggplant in a salad bowl.
2. Add the diced tomatoes, onion, vinegar, and olive oil, and gently toss. Then season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. This salad is perfect with bread or served as a side dish with grilled fish or grilled chicken. 
4. Keep refrigerated.

Tonight we're pushing ourselves a little bit more. The plan is to wake up at 3:00am to watch the meteor shower. Will you be watching it too? Tomorrow we go on a long hike to one of our favorite beaches. We are taking the left over vinaigrette, bread, and cheese, and we're having ourselves a picnic. We're trying to maximize our time with my mom and my cousin before they leave next week. So far it's working.

Day 1- Green Papaya Salad

Day 2- Avocado and Mango Salad