The Bitten Word

Eggplant, Pear and Pecorino Salad

Food & Wine (September 2012)

Are pear and eggplant compatible flavors?

Usually when we have a question of this nature, we reach for The Flavor Bible. We find it an indispensable tool in the kitchen when you're looking for inspiration for how to use ingredients. There are no recipes, just a laundry list of ingredients and the flavors that pair best with them. 

So what does The Flavor Bible say about pear and eggplant? 

Not a thing. There's no mention of pairing the two. 

But we like eggplant. And we like pears. So we had to try this combination for ourselves. 

Not-Fried Tomatoes

Everyday Food (September 2012)

Is it possible to simultaneously both believe in "light" cooking and not believe in "light" takes on fried foods?

We think that's where we stand. We're all for lightening a diet, and we do it all the time. Yes, we sometimes post aboout decadent dishes, but when we're not cooking for the blog, we eat a simple, sane diet: lots of vegetables and protein, healthy snacks, light breakfasts and lunches, and dinners that are calorie conscious. 

Sure, we indulge (see: yesterday's lunch at Shake Shack, preceded by really decadent dinners on both Friday night and Saturday night, not to mention a Saturday afternoon snack). But we balance that indulgence with relatively measured eating (see: low-cal lunches every day last week). 

But we totally understand the impulse and popularity of light takes on fried foods. We all want to eat whatever we want to eat. And sometimes, we want to eat what's bad for us, so we look for ways to do that without going overboard. 

The problem is, these faux-fried recipes are so rarely successful. And these Not-Fried Tomatoes fall into that category.