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Bolognese Stuffed Eggplant Boats with Balsamic Glaze

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Thick, meaty Bolognese sauce makes these Stuffed Eggplant Boats a hearty, satisfying meal – easy enough for a busy weeknight and fancy enough for company.

Bolognese Stuffed Eggplant Boats with Balsamic Glaze | The Good Hearted Woman
This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

A Pinch of This and a Handful of That

Or, How to Remember Your Culinary Creations When You are a “Pinch & Toss” Cook

When I was six years old, Mrs Obinger from across the street taught me how to measure salt in the palm of my hand. First, she showed me a teaspoon and let me practice a little. Then we moved on to half-teaspoons, and finally quarter-teaspoons. (Cooking and teaching fractions go together so nicely, don’t you think?) It didn’t take long before I was a palm-measuring pro.

“See there, dear, now you’ll never need a measuring spoon again!” I remember Mrs Obinger telling me. Then we made a batch of her wonderful coconut cookies.

I’ve been measuring in my palm and guestimating amounts ever since.

Bolognese Stuffed Eggplant Boats with Balsamic Glaze | The Good Hearted Woman

The problem about being a “Pinch & Toss” kind of cook is, on those days when you hit it out of the park and make something amazing – something you want to make again and again – and possibly even Share – sometimes it’s difficult to remember just exactly what went into it in the first place, and how much, and when, and at what temperature, for how long… anyway, you get the idea.

I solve this problem with my phone’s voice recorder app. I just hit record whenever I’m feeling a little culinary inspiration; and while I erased far more recipes than I keep, the habit is starting to pay off.

Bolognese Stuffed Eggplant Boats with Balsamic Glaze | The Good Hearted Woman

This recipe for Bolognese Stuffed Eggplant Boats is the first one for which my new “recipe recording” system proved its worth. I would have been hard pressed to make it a second time if I hadn’t recorded myself while I was making it. It’s a real keeper, too!

Bolognese Stuffed Eggplant Boats with Balsamic Glaze | The Good Hearted Woman

Thick, meaty bolognese sauce makes these Bolognese Stuffed Eggplant Boats a hearty, deeply satisfying meal without being heavy or weighing you down.

Bolognese Stuffed Eggplant Boats with Balsamic Glaze | The Good Hearted Woman
5 from 8 votes
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Bolognese Stuffed Eggplant Boats

Author Renée ♥ The Good Hearted Woman

Ingredients

  • 4 small eggplants [1 3/4 - 2 pounds total]
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 1 pound mushrooms chopped
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 pound mild Italian sausage [I use Iserno Mild Italian Chicken sausage]
  • 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce [optional]
  • 1 14 oz. can finely diced tomatoes
  • ½ cup dried Italian bread crumb [or ¾ cup fresh bread crumbs]
  • 2 ounces grated Romano cheese plus more for garnish
  • Balsamic Glaze recipe below
  • baby arugula [optional]

Balsamic Glaze

  • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar [or honey]

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350° F.

Eggplant Prep

  1. Slice each eggplant in half, lengthwise from stem to blossom end. Using a spoon, hollow out eggplants, leaving about a 1/2-inch-thick border around skin to create a boat.
  2. Line a heavy baking sheet with foil, parchment paper, or a silicone mat.
  3. Set aside the scooped-out eggplant for us in the filling.
  4. Transfer eggplant boats to transfer to prepared baking sheet.
    Bolognese Stuffed Eggplant Boats with Balsamic Glaze | The Good Hearted Woman

Bolognese-style Eggplant Filling

  1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté chopped onions and mushrooms in 2 teaspoons olive oil until they are soft and the onions are translucent.
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and chopped eggplant from the Eggplant Prep and cook, stirring frequently, until eggplant is almost fully cooked.
  3. Push eggplant mixture to the sides of skillet and add the mild Italian sausage to the center. Cook sausage, breaking up as you go, until it is fully cooked.
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add Kosher salt, dried basil and oregano, pepper, hot sauce (optional) and diced tomatoes. Bring mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture has reduced and no watery liquid remains in the pan when you pull the mixture away. Remove skillet from heat.
  5. To the mixture in skillet, add ½ cup bread crumbs and 2 ounces of grated Romano cheese. Give it one good stir to incorporate everything together.
  6. Using a large spoon, evenly divide the filling between the eggplant halves. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes.
    Bolognese Stuffed Eggplant Boats with Balsamic Glaze | The Good Hearted Woman

  7. Serve on a bed of baby arugula. Finish with a generous drizzle of balsamic glaze and a sprinkling of Romano. 

Balsamic Glaze

  1. Mix balsamic vinegar and brown sugar a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat until the mixture begins to boil. 

  2. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until mixture has reduced by half; 10-12 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.

Recipe Notes

Weight Watchers SmartPoints [2018] 

  • 1/2 eggplant with stuffing = 4 pts
  • 1 whole eggplant with stuffing = 7 pts.
  • Balsamic Glaze = 1 pt / Tbls 

(Points were calculated using Iserno ground chicken mild Italian sausage.) 

You can easily make this a vegetarian meal by substituting a plant-based protein for the Italian sausage.

Bolognese Stuffed Eggplant Boats with Balsamic Glaze | The Good Hearted Woman

Bolognese Stuffed Eggplant Boats can be prepared up to two days ahead of time and thrown in the oven when you are ready to eat. Be sure to add five to seven minutes to the cooking time if you put them into the oven cold from the fridge.

Bolognese Stuffed Eggplant Boats with Balsamic Glaze | The Good Hearted Woman

Thank you so much for being a faithful reader and supporter of The Good Hearted Woman. ❤ Be sure to Pin and print this recipe!

Bolognese Stuffed Eggplant Boats with Balsamic Glaze | The Good Hearted Woman

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Roasted Ratatouille {with Pan-fried Onions}

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Fragrant layers of bright zucchini, tender Japanese eggplant, and juicy romas – all roasted to perfection in a nest of herby, garlicky tomatoes and pan-fried onions. 

Ratatouille with Pan-Fried Onions | The Good Hearted Woman

No one makes ratatouille like I do. In fact, it seems like E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E puts their own flare on this simple summer vegetable medley. My personal spin? Pan-fried onions for extra sweetness and depth of flavor. SO GOOD!

Ratatouille with Pan-Fried Onions | The Good Hearted Woman

Originally from the South of France, ratatouille is an amazingly versatile dish, both for the cook and as a meal. Traditionally made with a base of tomatoes, zucchini, onions, eggplant, garlic, and herbs, home chefs around the world add everything from potatoes to porcinis to the mix. Some cook it in a pot on the stove, others roast it in the oven. You can even make it in a slow cooker, or an Instant Pot! The whole idea is, once you have the basic recipe down, feel free to make it your own.

Ratatouille with Pan-Fried Onions | The Good Hearted Woman

And here’s a little secret… (shhhhh….)

When it comes to making ratatouille, it really doesn’t matter how you put it together. 

It’s true! Whether you choose to “fussy up” and camera-ready your ratatouille, or just throw everything in the dish and let the chips fall where they may, the fragrant flavors of all those fresh summer veggies and herbs will magically combine to create something your tastebuds will love.

Ratatouille with Pan-Fried Onions | The Good Hearted Woman

Ratatouille can be enjoyed hot, cold, or somewhere in between. Serving suggestions are just as flexible, too: as is, over rice, on toast, in pasta, on a sandwich, and with eggs are just a few ideas.  (One of our favorite breakfasts is leftover ratatouille with poached eggs.) Enjoy!

Ratatouille with Pan-Fried Onions | The Good Hearted Woman
5 from 5 votes
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Ratatouille with Pan-Fried Onions

Course Main Course
Cuisine Vegan, Vegetarian
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 4
Author Renée B. ♥ The Good Hearted Woman

Ingredients

  • 1 large sweet or red onion sliced 3/8" thick
  • 4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil divided
  • 14 ounces crushed or diced tomatoes (1 can, drained)
  • 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 cloves minced garlic about 1 1/2 teaspoons
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh basil chiffonade
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary or a small spring fresh, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 lb medium zucchini sliced 1/4" thick
  • 1-2 Japanese eggplant sliced 1/4" thick
  • 3 fresh Roma tomatoes sliced 1/4" thick

Garnish:

  • Fresh basil
  • Finely grated Parmesan or Romano cheese optional

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a deep-dish pie plate with cooking spray. Set aside. 

  2. Heat a cast iron or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 teaspoons  of olive oil and swirl to coat skillet. When a water droplet sizzles on the surface, carefully place whole onion slices on the skillet. Allow onion slices to brown and crisp on one side for a few minutes, and then carefully turn them over using a spatula and brown the other side. Allow onion slices to cool, and then separate onion rings from one another and set aside. 

    Ratatouille with Pan-Fried Onions | The Good Hearted Woman

  3. In a small bowl, combine dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper, and chili powder.

  4. In a medium bowl, combine crushed or diced tomatoes, remaining olive oil (2 teaspoons), vinegar, garlic, fresh basil, and all but 1 teaspoon of the herb mixture. 

  5. Pour tomato mixture evenly into the bottom of a deep dish pie plate. (I use my cast iron pie dish.) 

  6. Arrange sliced veggies around the edge of the plate in a pattern that makes you happy. (I did tomato-zucchini-eggplant-zucchini-eggplant-repeat.) 

  7. Put the pan-fried onion mixture in the middle of the veggie-ring. Arrange more veggies in the middle, until you are either out of veggies or space, whichever comes first. 

  8. OPTIONAL: At this point, you can spray the whole thing with a little cooking spray or brush it with just a bit of olive oil to encourage browning if you would like. Doing so also seems to make the whole thing look better after it is done roasting. 

  9. Sprinkle remaining dried herb mixture over the top of the prepared ratatouille. 

  10. Bake in preheated oven for an hour, or until the sauce is bubbly and the veggies are tender (but not mushy!!) 

  11. Garnish with fresh basil and freshly grated Parmesan or Romano. 

Recipe Notes

Weight Watchers: 1 serving (1/4 recipe) = 1 SmartPoint [2018]

Alternate (aka "non-fussy") Prep: Put the crushed tomato mixture in your baking dish. Top with pan-fried onions. Throw the veggies on top. Bake as directed.

Ratatouille with Pan-Fried Onions | The Good Hearted Woman

Recipe Notes:

  • This dish is best when made with the freshest veggies possible.
  • Be sure to slice your vegetables uniformly to all be approximately the same size and thickness so that everything cooks evenly.
  • Japanese Eggplant is more tender than Italian eggplant, and works better for this dish. However, if you cannot find it, you can definitely use Italian eggplant as a substitute. The important thing is to cut it in approximately the same size as the other veggies you will be using so everything cooks evenly.
  • Ratatouille and similar foods (i.e., spaghetti sauce, lasagna, and eggplant parm) usually taste better “the next day,” after flavors have had a chance to marry and mellow. I’m sure that there is a scientific explanation for this phenomena,  but whatever the reason, keep this in mind if you plan to serve this dish to company. I often make meals like this a day ahead of time, refrigerate overnight and reheat to serve.

Ratatouille with Pan-Fried Onions | The Good Hearted Woman

Armenian Lentil Stew {with Eggplant & Golden Raisins}

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Armenian Lentil Stew is a thick, rich medley of eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, onions, golden raisins, and lentils, all flavored with a savory-sweet blend of traditional herbs and spices. Naturally vegan and gluten-free, it is wonderful alone, or served over a bowl of rice or bulgar.

Armenian Lentil Stew with Eggplant & Golden Raisins [Recipe] | The Good Hearted Woman

Ten years ago, my daughter married a young Armenian named Vahe. When I first met Vahe, I could barely locate Armenia on a map; moreover, I knew virtually nothing about its rich culture and even less about the tumultuous history of its proud and faithful people. All I knew was this earnest, poetic young man loved my daughter, which is all I really needed to know back then.

Armenian Lentil Stew with Eggplant & Golden Raisins [Recipe] | The Good Hearted Woman

And I knew he could cook, because whenever he visited us, that is what he did – COOK! Using nearly every pan in my kitchen, he would make us a bountiful feast of Armenian-inspired fare. Everything from delicious garlicky green beans with eggs to delectable eggplant rolls stuffed with carrots and raisins to amazing fire-roasted shish kabobs. (Like many Armenians, Vahe is a master of fire and skewer.)

Armenian Lentil Stew with Eggplant & Golden Raisins [Recipe] | The Good Hearted Woman

Over the last decade, I’ve learn a lot. I’ve developed a great appreciation and genuine respect for my son-in-law and the hard-fought struggle he has endured to become an American citizen. I’ve gained four amazing Armenian-American grandchildren and a wonderful extended family. I’ve read a number of books and countless articles on Armenian history (of which I was taught virtually nothing about in school) and learned a great deal about traditional Armenian cooking as well.

Did you know that Armenia is one of the oldest countries in the world?  With a recorded history of about 3500 years, the small, landlocked country has a cuisine as old as the nation itself, where it occupies a unique place in Asiatic cuisine. Relying on a rich medley of diverse tastes and fragrances, Armenian cooking often employs savory flavors like lemon, garlic, onion, paprika, and sumac, and warm spices like cinnamon, vanilla, and cloves.

Armenian Lentil Stew with Eggplant & Golden Raisins [Recipe] | The Good Hearted Woman

I’ve known for some time that I wanted to celebrate this milestone in our family’s history here on GHW with a traditional Armenian recipe, so when I saw “Armenian Lentil Stew” on a restaurant menu awhile back, I knew that I had to give it a go. In the end, I don’t know how “traditional” this recipe is; in fact, my culinary instincts are telling me that, even with my exhaustive research, it may be a bit Americanize. All I know is, it’s delicious.

When it comes to ethnic recipes, I’m usually a stickler for authenticity, but under the circumstances, I think it’s perfect. My son-in-law – who coaches his daughters’ soccer team and reads Kant (in Russian) to his three-year old son, who would move heaven and earth for my daughter, and who stood almost five years ago in a courthouse and pledged his allegiance to the United States of America… well, he’s a little Americanize now, too.

Happy Anniversary, kids. May you have many more to come. 💚

Armenian Lentil Stew with Eggplant & Golden Raisins [Recipe] | The Good Hearted Woman
5 from 8 votes
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Armenian Lentil Stew


Course Main Dish, Soup
Cuisine Armenian
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8
Author Renée B. ♥ The Good Hearted Woman

Ingredients

Stew

  • 1 cup dried red or brown lentils or combination
  • 5 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup golden raisins chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 large onion diced
  • 1 pound eggplant peeled and diced 1/4-3/8"
  • 1 28-oz can diced tomatoes undrained
  • 1 bell pepper red, green or yellow, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons hot paprika or regular paprika
  • 1-2 teaspoons kosher salt or to taste
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon allspice
  • 1 heaping teaspoon crushed dried mint leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

Garnish (Optional)

  • fresh mint or cilantro chopped
  • sour cream or plain Greek yogurt

Instructions

  1. Rinse lentils and place in large sauce pan. Add broth and chopped apricots and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. 

  2. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or other heavy pan over medium heat until it begins to glisten, and then add chopped onions. Saute onions 5-7 minutes, until translucent.  

  3. Add eggplant, tomatoes, bell pepper, and garlic to onions. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. 

  4. Add lentil mixture and remaining Stew ingredients to vegetable mixture. Simmer until lentils are tender; about 30 minutes. Adjust seasonings to taste. 

  5. Garnish with fresh mint or cilantro and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt. Serve as is, or over cooked bulgar or basmati rice. 

Recipe Notes

  • WW Smartpoints [2018] - 16 Smartpoints total for one whole batch, or 2 Smartpoints per serving
  • If stew becomes too thick while cooking, just add some additional broth or water.
  • Like most stews, this is always better the next day when the flavors have had a chance to play together. 

I used a number of recipes for inspiration and guidance in the development of this Armenian Lentil Stew recipe; most notably, Armenian Lentil Soup with Eggplant and Apricots [Peanut Butter Runner], and Armenian Lentil Soup [Epicurious].

Armenian Lentil Stew with Eggplant & Golden Raisins [Recipe] | The Good Hearted Woman

Do you love beautiful pottery? The stunning bowl in the back left of many of these stew images is from Muddy Pants Pottery. Check them out!




Armenian Lentil Stew with Eggplant & Golden Raisins [Recipe] | The Good Hearted Woman
Armenian Lentil Stew with Eggplant & Golden Raisins [Recipe] | The Good Hearted Woman

Gochujang Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cilantro & Peanuts

By 21 Comments

Crispy, tender, spicy, sweet, and addictive are just a few of the adjectives that describe these amazing Gochujang Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cilantro & Peanuts.

Crispy, tender, spicy, sweet, and addictive are just a few of the adjective that describe these amazing Roasted Gochujang Brussels Sprouts with Cilantro & Peanuts. | The Good Hearted Woman

Last May, Mr B and I had tickets to see Marc Cohn at the Aladdin Theater in Portland, so we decided to make a night of it. We started out with a light meal at Southpark Seafood (our current Portland happy hour spot!) before the concert. With a relaxed-chic vibe, this northwest Portland eatery features sustainable seafood and farm-fresh ingredients, and while their happy hour drink menu is just average ($6 house wines and sangria, $5 local brews), Southpark Happy Hour Eats are outstanding in every way.

For our meal, Mr B ordered six Oysters on the Half Shell [$6/3] for himself (I don’t do raw oysters) while I opted for the Spicy Shrimp & Grits [$10]. We also shared a Caesar salad [$6] and an order of their signature Gochujang Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cilantro & Peanuts [$7], and finished with a board of their amazing Maple Cream Puffs (with maple pastry cream, maple frosting, AND candied pecans) [$5]. The entire four-course meal for two was less than $40… in Portland!!! (Excluding beverages and tip, of course). AND, everything was delicious!

Crispy, tender, spicy, sweet, and addictive are just a few of the adjective that describe these amazing Roasted Gochujang Brussels Sprouts with Cilantro & Peanuts. | The Good Hearted Woman

We especially enjoyed the Gochujang Roasted Brussels Sprouts – they were literally the best Brussels sprouts I’ve ever eaten! Crispy, tender, spicy, sweet, and addictive are just a few of the adjectives to describe these amazing oven-roasted sprouts.

I immediately put it on my list of recipes to figure out and blog about (as in, I opened Evernote right there at the restaurant and typed myself a quick reminder). I’ve heard that Southpark will just give you the recipe if you ask, but I was interested in learning more about its mysterious new-to-me ingredient, Gochujang paste, so I decided to take it as a challenge.

Crispy, tender, spicy, sweet, and addictive are just a few of the adjective that describe these amazing Gochujang Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cilantro & Peanuts. | The Good Hearted Woman

Gochujang Paste, or Korean Red Chili Paste, I’ve since learned, is a savory, sweet, spicy fermented condiment made from chili powder, glutinous rice, fermented soy bean powder, and salt. It gets its sweetness from the glutinous rice and has about the same consistency as a thick hoisin sauce or tomato paste, but is much stickier. You can find Gochujang paste at almost any Asian market. If you’re at all worried that the Gochujang paste will make the sprouts too spicy, don’t be. The end result is a savory, sweet, almost mapley Brussels sprout with a subtle but respectable hint of heat.

Crispy, tender, spicy, sweet, and addictive are just a few of the adjective that describe these amazing Roasted Gochujang Brussels Sprouts with Cilantro & Peanuts. | The Good Hearted Woman
5 from 6 votes
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Gochujang Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cilantro & Peanuts

Course Side Dish
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Author Renée B. ♥ The Good Hearted Woman

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lb Brussels sprouts
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons seasoned rice wine vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons Gochujang paste
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup Chopped cilantro plus extra for garnish
  • 1/4 cup chopped unsalted roasted peanuts plus extra whole peanuts for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°. Line a heavy sheet pan with a Silpat mat (or with aluminum foil sprayed with cooking spray) and set aside.

  2. With a paring knife, remove the base off of each Brussels sprout and cut down the middle from stem end to flower.

  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, honey and Gochujang paste. Add in Brussels sprouts and toss to coat. 

  4. Spread prepared Brussels sprouts evenly on prepared sheet pan. Season liberally with salt and pepper.

  5. Roast Brussels sprouts in preheated oven 25-30 minutes (depending on how large your sprouts are), or until the sprouts are dark golden. (See note.)

  6. Remove from oven. Sprinkle peanuts and cilantro evenly over roasted sprouts and then transfer everything to serving dish. Garnish with additional chopped cilantro and peanuts. Serve warm or at room temperature. 

Recipe Notes

When spreading Brussels sprouts on the pan to put in the oven, I like to start them all with their cut side down, flipping them with a spatula halfway thru the cooking process. 

Crispy, tender, spicy, sweet, and addictive are just a few of the adjective that describe these amazing Gochujang Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cilantro & Peanuts. | The Good Hearted Woman

The sauce in the recipe here (olive oil, vinegar, honey, and paste) has a multitude of uses beyond Brussels sprouts, from chicken marinade to kale chip dressing. In any event, I’m not sure how close this is to the Southpark Seafood recipe, but it sure tastes spot-on. I hope you enjoy these Gochujang Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cilantro & Peanuts as much as we do!

Crispy, tender, spicy, sweet, and addictive are just a few of the adjective that describe these amazing Gochujang Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cilantro & Peanuts. | The Good Hearted Woman

Additional recipe credit: While the inspiration for this post came from Southpark Seafood, the actual recipe shared here is an adaptation of this recipe by The Garlic Pad. 

Crispy, tender, spicy, sweet, and addictive are just a few of the adjective that describe these amazing Gochujang Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cilantro & Peanuts. | The Good Hearted Woman

Crispy, tender, spicy, sweet, and addictive are just a few of the adjective that describe these amazing Gochujang Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cilantro & Peanuts. | The Good Hearted Woman
Crispy, tender, spicy, sweet, and addictive are just a few of the adjective that describe these amazing Gochujang Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cilantro & Peanuts. | The Good Hearted Woman

27 Quick Pickle Recipes for Your Garden Bounty

By 26 Comments

Quick pickles are delicious, small-batch friendly, and super easy to make. Plus, they require no special equipment and are usually ready to eat within a day or two of preparation.

Quick Refrigerator Pickle Recipes | The Good Hearted Woman

In my fridge: Mexican Carrots, Pickled Red Onions, Swedish Cucumbers, and Cucumber Salad

Our garden is bursting at the seams right now, and we are hustling to preserve all that fresh garden bounty, and one of our favorite ways to do that is pickling. (Yeah, I know, Portland. We can pickle that.) Our fridge is crammed with tart, tangy quick pickles that will last us through the next couple of months until our traditionally canned,”real” pickles have had time to percolate in their jars out on the pantry shelves.

Quick pickles, also known as refrigerator pickles, are simply vegetables that are pickled in a vinegar, water, and salt solution and stored in the refrigerator. (Depending on the recipe, the solution may also include sugar and other spices.) Quick pickles are usually ready in just a day or two, as opposed to traditional pickles, which can take many weeks before they are ready to open.

Cucumber Quick Pickles

Quick Refrigerator Pickle Recipes | The Good Hearted Woman

Clockwise from top left: Lower Sugar Bread & Butter Refrigerator Pickles, Easy Sweet & Spicy Bread & Butter Pickles, Homemade Dill Chips, Homemade Cinnamon Spice Pickles

  1. Easy Sweet and Spicy Bread and Butter Pickles {Pinch & Swirl}
  2. Homemade Cinnamon Spice Pickles {The Spice Train}
  3. Swedish Cucumbers {Me! ♥}
  4. Pickled Cucumber Salad {The Fit Blog}
  5. Spicy Quick Pickled Cucumbers {Sidewalk Shoes}
  6. Lower Sugar Bread and Butter Refrigerator Pickles {The Seasoned Mom}
  7. Homemade Dill Chips {Culinary Ginger}
  8. Easy Homemade Refrigerator Dills {Certified Pastry Aficionado}
  9. Easy Refrigerator Garlic Dill Pickles {Melanie Cooks}

Onion Quick Pickles

Quick Refrigerator Pickle Recipes | The Good Hearted Woman

Clockwise from top left: Quick Pickled Vidalia Onions, Pickled Red Onions, The Prettiest Pickled Onions

  1. Pickled Red Onions {Umami Girl}
  2. Quick Pickled Vidalia Onions {The View From Great Island}
  3. The Prettiest Pickled Onions {A Side of Sweet}
  4. Quick Pickled Onions {Sidewalk Shoes}

Garden Medley Quick Pickles

Quick Refrigerator Pickle Recipes | The Good Hearted Woman

Clockwise from top left: Spicy Vietnamese Pickled Vegetables, Quick Pickled Jalapeños, Small Batch Pickled Beets, Pickled Watermelon Radish

  1. Spicy Vietnamese Pickled Vegetables {Three Olives Branch}
  2. Pickled Vegetables Using Leftovers {Healing Tomato}
  3. Small Batch Pickled Beets {Simple Seasonal}
  4. Caraway Chili Crunchy Balsamic Beet Pickle {The Flavor Bender}
  5. Pickled Watermelon Radish {Omnivore’s Cookbook}
  6. Refrigerator Pickled Radish & Turnips {Girl in the Little Red Kitchen}
  7. Quick Pickled Jalapeños {The View From Great Island}
  8. Pink Peppercorn Pickled Swiss Chard Stems {Abra’s Kitchen}
  9. Mexican Pickled Carrots {Kevin is Cooking}
  10. Russian Grandma’s Pickled Tomatoes {Happy Kitchen. Rocks}
  11. Grilled Zucchini Pickles {The BBQ Bastard}

Fruit Quick Pickles

Quick Refrigerator Pickle Recipes | The Good Hearted Woman

Clockwise from top left: Pickled Green Strawberries, Pickled Pineapple, Pickled Blueberries

  1. Pickled Green Strawberries {Bacon is Magic}
  2. Pickled Pineapple {Savory Bites Recipes}
  3. Pickled Blueberries {Bacon is Magic}

Quick Refrigerator Pickle Recipes | The Good Hearted Woman

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27 Quick Pickles - Refrigerator Recipes for Your Garden Bounty | The Good Hearted Woman

Quick Refrigerator Pickle Recipes | The Good Hearted Woman

Lentils: Way Beyond Soup & Curry

By 51 Comments

Lentils are easy to cook, amazingly healthy, and a great addition to everything from appetizers to dessert!

Lentils: Simple, Healthy & Versatile | The Good Hearted Woman

Can I just say – Lentils.org totally won me over in the swag department! I love our hand-stamped “I ♥ Lentils” spoons!

We love lentils at our house, and eat them quite regularly. Not only are lentils delicious, but (as you may already know) they are low in fat and calories, high in protein, and a great source of fiber and minerals. They’re great for last minute soups and curries too, because they don’t require soaking like beans do.

Recently, however, I had an eye-opening experience when Mr B and I (along with a number of other Portland area bloggers) attended a delicious, Spanish-themed dinner party hosted by Lentils.org. From the first bite, the menu – created by Portland restaurateur and chef Mike Kessler, and Toro Bravo Chef de Cuisine John Gorman – shattered all of our preconceived notions about cooking with lentils.

When we arrived, we were greeted with champagne and cocktails, and a host of savory appetizers, including some of my favorite bites of the night – these delicious Red Lentil & Queso Fresco Empanadas.

Empanadas - Lentils: Simple, Healthy & Versatile | The Good Hearted Woman

We also noshed on Spanish Olives, assorted Spanish cheeses, housemade lentil flatbread (Yes! Lentil bread!), lentil croquettes, and that famously satisfying Toro Bravo charcuterie.

Olives - Lentils: Simple, Healthy & Versatile | The Good Hearted Woman

The event was hosted at Plaza Del Toro, a beautiful private event space and modern test kitchen located in Portland’s Central Eastside Industrial District.

Bloggers - Lentils: Simple, Healthy & Versatile | The Good Hearted Woman

{That’s Erin from Platings & Pairings in the middle – smiling, conversing, and not even looking at her phone!}

If all I had to eat for dinner was our salad course, I would have been as happy as a polar bear in a bucket of ice cubes.  (←This is my new favorite “happiness” metaphor: I plan to use it as often as possible.) Mr B and I both loved the combination of flavors in this salad: the sweet richness of the roasted carrots and beets, the peppery earthiness of the green lentils, the clean freshness of the snap peas and watercress – all brought together by the tart creaminess of a lemony yogurt dressing.

Green Lentil Salad - Lentils: Simple, Healthy & Versatile | The Good Hearted Woman

Green lentils, like those used in our salad, have a robust, somewhat peppery flavor. They generally take the longer to cook then red or brown lentils, but they keep a firm texture even after cooking.

Wine Pairings - Lentils: Simple, Healthy & Versatile | The Good Hearted Woman

Mr B was thrilled when the Calamari a le Plancha arrived, because he knew he would be getting double calamari, as I am just not a fan. However, I very much enjoyed the rich, complex bed of black lentils, salsa verde and sofrita it was served with!

Calamari - Lentils: Simple, Healthy & Versatile | The Good Hearted Woman

The courses just kept coming! Next was Roast Quail with a black and red lentil stuffing, herb dé provence veloute, and fresh lavender flowers.

Roast Quail - Lentils: Simple, Healthy & Versatile | The Good Hearted Woman

Our final “main” course” was a deceptively sophisticated Green Lentil Cassoulet with duck comfit, house made bacon, and boudin blanc sausage. Mmmmmmmmm. That’s all I’ve got to say about that. Just Mmmmmmm. So good.

Cassoulet - Lentils: Simple, Healthy & Versatile | The Good Hearted Woman

Honestly, I wasn’t sure how our chefs were going to pull off a lentil dessert, but they did it magnificently with these Cardamom Lentil Crépes with strawberries & creme fraiche ice cream. Cardamom is one of my favorite spices, and in this case set off the subtle flavors of the lentil crepes while still allowing the strawberries to shine.

Crepes - Lentils: Simple, Healthy & Versatile | The Good Hearted Woman

Many thanks to Lentils.org for sponsoring this beautiful, inspiring culinary event; and to Chefs Mike and John for their delectably enlightening menu. I know that I will be rethinking my own use of lentils in the future.

Lentils.org - Lentils: Simple, Healthy & Versatile | The Good Hearted Woman

Disclosure: Mr B and I attended this “Lentils & Utensils” popup dinner free of charge at the invitation of Lentils.org. Items offered in the giveaway were also provided. As always, all opinions are our own.

Lentils: Simple, Healthy & Versatile | The Good Hearted Woman

My Favorite Cookbook: Kathy Gates {Guest Blogger Series}

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My Favorite Cookbook is an ongoing Guest Blogger series on The Good Hearted Woman. If you are interested in writing a post for this series, you can find submission guidelines here. 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

My favourite cookbook came to me as a gift, of sorts, from a colleague. Jim was a producer at the radio station where I was the marketing manager. He saw me eyeing off one of the books in his publicity stack  and offered it to me. I soon discovered that Dear Francesca by Mary Contini is both a cookbook and a love letter to the role food plays at the heart of family life.

My Favorite Cookbook: Dear Francesca | The Good Hearted Woman

Mary Contini’s world revolves around food: she is the director of one of Edinburgh’s biggest delicatessens, Valvona & Crolla, she has written a food column for The Scotsman, and has co-presented food programs on television.

Dear Francesca is a very personal offering, almost a love letter to the role that food plays at the center of family life. Contini’s Italian heritage informs every page, and the family stories she shares are as delicious as her recipes. Sprinkled throughout is advice for her daughter, the Francesca of the title.

For example, she counsels Francesca, “When it comes down to it, your own sense of taste is the most valuable tool when cooking. Taste. Taste. Taste. It is a great pleasure to sip the food as it’s cooking and adjust the amount of ingredients as you go along. ‘Adjust seasoning’ is the key to every recipe. Your taste is your best guide.”

For as long as I can remember I’ve loved cooking. But that love was not passed down to me from my mother. Though she was a dedicated homemaker, my mother detested cooking. Perhaps it was the daily grind of having to churn out meals for her large family — I’m one of ten. Or perhaps it was because, early in their marriage, my father fondly, and constantly, reminisced about his own mother’s brilliant cooking. Whichever, my mother embraced the concept of convenience food with a vengeance.

Rice-a-Riso, Deb Mash Potato and Continental Chicken Noodle Soup – just add water and stir – were three of her staples. I hate to think of the salt and chemicals we ingested as children. After the wooden spoon, the can opener was her most-used kitchen tool. I still remember my surprise, and delight, when I discovered spaghetti didn’t always come in cans.

At least she never overcooked any of her ‘staples’. On the rare occasions when she cooked from scratch, she always managed to eliminate both flavour and goodness. One early standout was her mushy, over-salted peas to which bicarbonate of soda was added, “to keep the colour”.

My first tentative steps were via packet-mix cakes because there were instructions to follow. I was happy to be left alone in the kitchen, and even happier when I received cookbooks as birthday and Christmas gifts.

Until Dear Francesca, I never felt I’d missed out on anything. But to me this book was a bitter-sweet read. How wonderful to have been guided in such a loving way. There is an Italian saying, “dalla nonna alla mamma” – “from the grandmother to the mother”. This speaks of the way recipes, food advice, and by extension, life skills, are handed down through generations like a precious gift.

Whenever I dip into Dear Francesca, I feel like Contini is speaking directly to me, offering me her valuable advice. Early in the book there is a comprehensive list of equipment every kitchen needs. At another point she gives detailed information about how to introduce children to different tastes, and why it’s important to do so.

Interesting facts are mixed with advice, recipes and stories. The origin of the word ‘companionship’ is one example. Contini explains that it is derived from the Latin, con pane, meaning ‘with bread’, “To break bread together and eat with companions or family, gives fundamental nourishment to body and soul.”

The recipes included in Dear Francesca cover the gamut from antipasti to dessert, from everyday staples to traditional feasts. I’ve chosen a recipe that Contini’s mother made every week to observe the Catholic tradition of not eating meat on Friday. According to Contini, this was no hardship, “Pasta e patate is one of the most satisfying, comforting soups on the face of the earth.”

I totally agree!

My Favorite Cookbook: Dear Francesca | The Good Hearted Woman
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Pasta e Patate [Pasta & Potato Soup]

Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Author Mary Contini, Adapted from Dear Francesca

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons of good olive oil
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1 piece of dried chilli or a few dried chilli flakes
  • 1 medium-sized brown onion
  • 400 g [14 oz.] can of plum tomatoes
  • 1.75 litres [7 1/2 cups] of hot water
  • 2 large potatoes I sometimes substitute sweet potato
  • ½ teaspoon of sea salt flakes
  • 1/3 cup of short pasta e.g. digitali rigate
  • Freshly grated cheese of your choice – mine is Grana Padana

Instructions

  1. Peel garlic but leave whole.
  2. Remove seeds from chilli, if necessary.
  3. Heat oil in a large heavy based saucepan and add garlic and chilli to pan, cook for about thirty seconds then add peeled and finely chopped onion.
  4. Toss to make sure onion is coated in oil, turn heat to low, cover and sweat the onion for about ten minutes.
  5. The tomatoes should be smooth – I put them through my passatutto, or sieve, which also removes the seeds. But if seeds aren’t an issue you can either blend or mash with a fork.
  6. Add tomatoes and 1 litre of the water to pan and bring to a high simmer.
  7. Add peeled and diced potato and salt, give it a good stir, turn the heat down, cover and cook on a low simmer for about 30 minutes.
  8. Remove garlic, add the remaining water, which has been heated to boiling, and the pasta, stir and cook, uncovered, until pasta is al dente.
  9. Taste for seasoning and serve with shavings of cheese and crusty bread.

Recipe Notes

Recipe makes approximately two litres of soup.

My Favorite Cookbook: Kathy Gates | The Good Hearted WomanAbout Kathy: Kathy lives in Hobart, the capital of Australia’s island state, Tasmania, which is a food lover’s paradise. In early 2015, Kathy took a redundancy and started a blog about her favourite things – reading, writing and travel. She has also written a novella, Juliet’s Journey, which was inspired by a visit to the northern Italian village of Baiardo. Kathy regularly contributes articles to Boomercafe.com and Amreading.com. 

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they will help us keep this site up and running – and (relatively) ad-free!! Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Sweet Potato Pad Thai with Shrimp

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In Sweet Potato Pad Thai with Pan-fried Shrimp, the natural sweetness and robust texture of spiralized sweet potato noodles perfectly complements the flavors and textures of traditional Pad Thai.

Spiralized Sweet Potato Pad Thai with Shrimp | The Good Hearted Woman

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

I’ll admit it – I am just now diving into the Spiralizer pool.

In case you’ve been living in a cave for the last few years, spiral vegetable cutters, or “spiralizers,” are kitchen gadgets that cut fruits and vegetables into long noodles and ribbons, which then can be then be used in place of pasta, and as additions in salads, side dishes, etc.

There is a good reason for my reticence to Spiralize: all of the hand-held and counter-top spiralizers I’ve previously tested/used/experimented with simply don’t deliver: they crack under the strain of hard, dense vegetables; they hurt my hand and wrist to operate; and some models are a huge pain when it comes to clean up.

Then KitchenAid®  came to my rescue – with a carefully engineered, well-thought Spiralizer Attachment. I couldn’t wait to try it out! (Please note: this is not a sponsored post. I just really love this thing!}

One of the first things I tried was a combination of two of my favorite things – Thai food and sweet potatoes. The outcome – Sweet Potato Pad Thai with Pan-fried Shrimp – is a deliciously tasty dish that blends the natural sweetness and robust texture of spiralized sweet potato noodles with the traditional flavors and textures of Pad Thai.

Spiralized Sweet Potato Pad Thai with Shrimp | The Good Hearted Woman

Bonus: It’s loaded with super-healthy stuff, and takes just one pan and 30-minutes to create.

Extra Bonus: Everyone in my household loves it! (Which means that there is a good chance everyone in your house will love it too!!)

Spiralized Sweet Potato Pad Thai with Shrimp | The Good Hearted Woman

Sweet Potato Pad Thai with Shrimp is a pleasure for your senses, hitting all the taste points – sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami; plus it’s gluten-free (just use gluten free soy sauce or tamari), dairy-free, and naturally high in fiber. Bottom line though – it tastes amazing!

Spiralized Sweet Potato Pad Thai with Shrimp | The Good Hearted Woman
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Sweet Potato Shrimp Pad Thai

Course Main Dish
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 -6 servings
Author Renée B. ♥ The Good Hearted Woman

Ingredients

Sauce

  • Zest & juice from one lime
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 3 tablespoons Sweet Chili Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Thai fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons light soy sauce or tamari
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Shrimp

  • 1 lb medium shrimp 70-80/lb, shelled and cleaned
  • 2 tablespoons peanut oil or refined coconut oil
  • 1 clove garlic minced

Sweet Potato Noodles

  • 2 large orange-fleshed sweet potatoes aka yams Spiralized
  • 2 tablespoons peanut oil or refined coconut oil
  • 1 large onion peeled & sliced thinly root to end
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 red bell pepper sliced in thin strips
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Garnish

  • Chopped cilantro
  • Chopped peanuts
  • Sliced green onions
  • Crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

Sauce

  1. Combine sauce ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk to combine. (You can also make the sauce in a small beverage blender.)

Shrimp

  1. Pour 1/3 cup sauce in a large ziploc bag. Add cleaned shrimp to the bag and toss around a bit to combine. Set the rest of the sauce aside. Allow the shrimp marinate in the sauce for 15-30 minutes.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons peanut oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high. When a drop of water sizzles in the pan, drop the shrimp in a few at a time.(I do this in 2 batches.) Let the shrimp stay where they are when they hit the hot pan so that they get a little bit browned on one side and then flip them over. This will take just a couple of minutes - don't overcook them! The shrimp are done when they are pinkish all the way through.
  3. Immediately remove the cooked shrimp from pan with a spider or slotted spoon and set aside.

Sweet Potato Noodles

  1. In a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat, saute the sliced onion in 2 tablespoons of peanut oil until translucent; about 3 minutes.
  2. Add garlic and sliced bell pepper and saute about 4 more minutes; until the red pepper begins to soften.
  3. Add spiralized sweet potato noodles and cook for 2-3 minutes, gently folding up from the bottom of the pan a few times. Add 1/4 cup water to the pan and cover immediately. Steam for 2 minutes. Check for doneness, and then cover again and cook 2 more minutes. Repeat until noodles are tender but not mushy. (You are not making mashed potatoes!)
  4. Add remaining sauce, cooked shrimp, and chopped cilantro and toss gently to combine.

Garnish & Serve

  1. Garnish with additional cilantro, chopped peanuts, chopped green onions, and crushed red pepper flakes. Serve warm (although it is delicious cold too!)

Spiralized Sweet Potato Pad Thai with Shrimp | The Good Hearted Woman

Recipe Notes

  • What the heck is a Spider? A “spider” is a type of skimmer used in Asian and Dutch cooking. It is a wide shallow wire-mesh basket with a long handle, used for removing hot food from a liquid or skimming foam off when making broths. The name is derived from the wire pattern, which looks like a spider’s web. I use mine all the time.
  • Why is there no tamarind paste in this Pad Thai? Pad Thai usually relies on tamarind paste for its unique flavor profile, but I think that the combination of lime and brown sugar accomplishes this well in this dish, without requiring that you search out and buy difficult-to-find ingredients. That said, if you have tamarind paste available to you, you can definitely use it here – simply reduce the brown sugar in the  sauce by 1 tablespoon and use only 1/2 the lime juice. Dissolve 1 tablespoon tamarind paste in 1/4 cup warm water before adding it to the sauce. Do not add additional water.

Oh my gosh, I love those KitchenAid® people! They know how to do things right!! The KitchenAid Spiralizer lets your stand mixer motor do all the work. Once you figure out how to use the attachment (I found the instructions a little sub-par) it’s a breeze. Clean-up is super easy too. Waste is minimal, and what is made creates these cool little cores that can be sliced or used for garnishing.

Spiralized Sweet Potato Pad Thai with Shrimp | The Good Hearted Woman

For Lefties Only: Unlike almost every counter-top spiralizer out there, this one works equally well for lefties and non-lefties alike! (See, that’s me looking out for you.)

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended.While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they will help us keep this site up and running – and (relatively) ad-free!! Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!


Spiralized Sweet Potato Pad Thai with Shrimp | The Good Hearted Woman

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In Sweet Potato Pad Thai with Pan-fried Shrimp, the natural sweetness and robust texture of spiralized sweet potato noodles perfectly complements the flavors and textures of traditional Pad Thai. | The Good Hearted Woman

Oven-Roasted Garlic Spears {Recipe}

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Garlic Spears are in season – get them before they disappear! 

Garlic Spears, the flower tops of the elephant garlic plant, are available for a few fleeting weeks in the spring and early summer at your grocery or local farmers market. They make a beautiful presentation and a tasty addition to your table.

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

Roasted Garlic Spears (or Garlic Scapes) Recipe | The Good Hearted Woman

I have to admit that, until recently, garlic spears were new to me. How I missed them until then, I’ll never know, but before I even tasted them, I was hooked! In fact, when we brought this bunch home, I took ten times more pictures of them than I needed – look how beautiful they are!

Raw Garlic Spears (or Garlic Scapes) Recipe | The Good Hearted Woman

Garlic spears can be eaten raw or cooked. When raw, they carry a pretty hot punch, and can be used to spice up things like baked potatoes or salads.

They can also be steamed, lightly sauteed, or roasted.  Garlic spears have a very mild garlic flavor that mellows the longer they are cooked, and can be served alone, chopped into pasta or casseroles, or pureed into soup, sauce, pesto, or hummus.

We chose to keep things simple and oven-roast them, and the results were wonderful – far beyond expectation! I used this amazing Meyer lemon olive oil, which (while definitely not a requirement here) enhanced the flavors even more. The flavor was only the slightest bit garlicky: they tasted somewhat like asparagus, but closer to an artichoke. (I don’t like asparagus much, and I loved these, if that helps any.) Preparation could not be more easy!

Roasted Garlic Spears – Easy as 1-2-3!

1. Cut off the ends.

Roasted Garlic Spears (or Garlic Scapes) Recipe | The Good Hearted Woman

2. Toss in a little olive oil, salt and pepper and lay out in a single layer on a heavy baking sheet.

Roasted Garlic Spears (or Garlic Scapes) Recipe | The Good Hearted Woman

3. Roast in a 375° oven for 30-35 minutes, until the tips are lightly browned and the stalk is tender. Toss midway through roasting time if desired.

Roasted Garlic Spears (or Garlic Scapes) Recipe | The Good Hearted Woman

To serve, sprinkle with lemon juice.

Roasted Garlic Spears (or Garlic Scapes) Recipe | The Good Hearted Woman

Roasted Garlic Spears (or Garlic Scapes) Recipe | The Good Hearted Woman
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Oven-Roasted Garlic Spears

Course Side Dish
Cuisine Vegan, Vegetarian
Author Renée B. ♥ The Good Hearted Woman

Ingredients

  • Garlic Spears (i.e., garlic scapes)
  • Olive Oil
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • Fresh lemon Juice

Instructions

  1. Cut off the ends of the garlic scapes.

  2. Toss in a little olive oil, salt and pepper and lay out in a single layer on a heavy baking sheet.

  3. Roast in a 375° oven for 30-35 minutes, until the tips are lightly browned and the stalk is tender. Toss midway through roasting time if desired.

  4. Sprinkle with lemon juice before serving.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Easy Cheesy Zucchini & Tomato Casserole

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Enjoy the bounty of the season with this easy, family-pleasing 3-cheese Zucchini & Tomato Casserole.

Easy, Cheesy Zucchini & Tomato Casserole | The Good Hearted Woman

This 3-Cheese Zucchini & Tomato Casserole is fast becoming a favorite on our weekday family menu. It’s one of those meals I fondly call the Easy-Uglies. You know – the meals you can throw together at the last minute with your eyes closed: chili mac, goulash, hash, casserole, frittata, and stir fry all come to mind.  They aren’t always pretty, but they come through every time, and even though you don’t usually serve them to company, you probably should because they are some of the best stuff that comes out of your kitchen.

If your garden is anything like mine, it’s been going crazy these last few weeks as the summer growing season comes to an end. Just today, I counted ten new blossoms on my (single giant) zucchini plant and at least a couple hundred cherry tomatoes on the vine, not to mention the thirty-something larger-variety green tomatoes waiting to be stored for winter or fried up fresh. I’ve been struggling to keep up, and in the process, and a few weeks ago, I managed to throw together what turned out to be a delicious 3-Cheese Zucchini and Tomato Casserole.  A cross between a crustless quiche and a hearty fritatta, this goes together in just 15 minutes and makes a truly savory and satisfying weeknight meal, and a real contender for my Easy-Ugly Top 10.

Easy, Cheesy Zucchini & Tomato Casserole | The Good Hearted Woman
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Easy Cheesy Zucchini & Tomato Casserole

Course Main Dish
Cuisine Seasonal
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8 servings
Calories 250 kcal
Author Renée B. ♥ The Good Hearted Woman

Ingredients

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  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 large cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 lb. zuchinni chopped or sliced
  • 1/2 lb. tomatoes cherry or chopped
  • 4 eggs beaten
  • 2 oz. marcarpone or cream cheese room temperature
  • 1 cup crumbled feta
  • 1/4 grated Parmesan
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
  • Pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375° F. Spray a 2-quart casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. In a medium skillet over medium-low heat, caramelize onions & garlic.
  3. Using a whisk, beat marscarpone (or cream cheese) into eggs. (It's fine if there are small lumps.)
  4. Stir feta, Parmesan, and garlic salt into egg mixture.
  5. Fold in zucchini, tomatoes, and caramelized onions and garlic.
  6. Pour into prepared casserole dish and bake at 375 for 45 minutes.
  7. Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Easy, Cheesy Zucchini & Tomato Casserole | The Good Hearted Woman

Everyone has a few Easy-Ugly meals. What’s at the top of your list? 

Remember to Pin this recipe for later! 

Easy, Cheesy Zucchini & Tomato Casserole | The Good Hearted Woman

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