The Conversation
Traditionally, Eggplant Caponata is served at room temp or chilled, spooned over crusty bread, but for this light, Whole30-friendly version, we’re leaving out the refined carbs and serving up this delicious and filling Sicilian eggplant stew on its own, au naturel. If you’re looking to add some protein, you can enjoy the caponata with a fried or soft-boiled egg. The beauty of this dish — aside from its vibrant colors and wholesome ingredients — is how quickly it comes together and that it can be made ahead of time, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients:
Serves 4
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large eggplant, cubed into 1/2 inch chunks
- 1 medium-sized onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 10 kalamata olives, chopped
- 2 Tablespoons capers
- (1) 14-ounce can diced tomatoes (preferably organic)
- salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/4 cup basil leaves, chopped
- 3 Tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
Instructions:
1. Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot over a medium-high flame (a dutch oven is great for this recipe). Add the cubed eggplant and sauté until lightly golden, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the diced onion and chopped garlic and cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until the onion is fragrant and translucent.
2. Pour in the red wine vinegar to deglaze the bottom of the pot. Once the liquid evaporates slightly, fold in the chopped olives, capers and diced tomatoes. Lower the flame, cover the pot and simmer for about 12-15 minutes, or until the eggplant is fork-tender.
3. Season the caponata to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and fold the chopped basil leaves into the pot.
4. Serve the caponata warm with the toasted pine nuts sprinkled over the top.
Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot over a medium-high flame (a dutch oven is great for this recipe). Add the cubed eggplant and sauté until lightly golden, about five minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the diced onion and chopped garlic and cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until the onion is fragrant and translucent.Pour in the red wine vinegar to deglaze the bottom of the pot. Once the liquid evaporates slightly, fold in the chopped olives, capers and diced tomatoes. Lower the flame, cover the pot and simmer for about 12-15 minutes, or until the eggplant is fork-tender. Season the caponata to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and fold the chopped basil leaves into the pot.Serve the caponata warm with the toasted pine nuts sprinkled over the top.
We’re closing the door on summer with this Eggplant Caponata, loaded with fresh, end-of-summer produce to get ready for fall!
For more Whole30 weeknight recipes, follow us on Pinterest!
Karen is a freelance recipe writer and food photographer who spends most of her time in the kitchen experimenting with ingredients and whipping up all sorts of dishes. She's an enthusiast of weekend baking projects, elaborate breakfast and everything DIY.
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It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.
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