This week’s FFWD recipe is all about veggies: Eggplant Tartine with Tomatoes, Olives and Cucumber. A tartine is actually an open-faced sandwich with a spread on top. For today’s presentation, however, the bread has been banished and replaced by eggplant. The result is so delicious and tasty, you don’t realize the grain product is missing. Don’t ask. Don’t tell.
I’m especially pleased to be making a nutritious dish today because Less is More this week. Needing to eat Less this week because More is happening on Saturday night. I’ve returned to Nevada to attend my first Project Dinner Table charity event on Saturday. This exciting event benefits two organizations that have become dear to my heart lately: Safe Nest, a charity that promotes the eradication of domestic violence and The Shade Tree, a 24-hour shelter designed specifically to support abused women and children in Southern Nevada.
The purpose of PDT is to create meaningful and adventurous experiences around the dinner table, celebrating local food, community and philanthropy. That the dining table is loooooong, accommodating 175 people, six courses, and served pass-the-plate family style, brings Pop-Up Entertaining to an entirely new level. Oh, yes, this time it’s open-air, streets closed, a Main Street meets the Strip atmosphere. Hello, new experience.
The Chefs for this PDT, Executive Chef Royden Ellamar of Sensi at Bellagio and Executive Chef Edmund Wong of Bellagio, only raise the bar.
Executive Chef Ellamar of Sensi, Bellagio, Las Vegas PDT Photo
Executive Chef Wong of Bellagio, Las Vegas PDT Photo
What I have found, since moving to Henderson, is that local casino conglomerates are very philanthropic and generous locally. They can afford to be, of course. One-upmanship is the game name here. Now is Bellagio’s moment and I’m betting they’re up to the glitz-and-grits task. Their Horticulture department, in charge of decor, is already loading up citrus trees and potted fruit plants. No chandeliers necessary, stars will suffice. A feel-good moment for Las Vegas.
The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, a popular attraction on the Las Vegas Strip. Kudos to the hotel-casino’s reknown horticulture department. destination360.com photo
The tartine dovetails nicely with this upcoming gastronomic overload. Roast 1-inch thick eggplant slices for 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Toss together a delicious salsa using tomatoes, celery, onion, garlic and green olives. The dressing is simply red wine vinegar and olive oil with red pepper flakes, salt and pepper added for seasoning. Throw some cucumber slices haphazardly over the top and you’ve got a lunch, snack or dinner.
Eggplant slices waiting for olive oil, salt and pepper, before basking in 350 degree temperatures for 45 minutes
Saturday evening will be an eye-opener for me, a charity function, Vegas-style. Since moving here, I’ve been so focused on my personal life and responsibilities, I’ve spent little time thinking about those less fortunate. For me, now, it’s a different world and I’m looking forward to using my considerable energy to help others, particularly women. A feel-good moment for me.
Eggplant Tartine with Tomatoes, Olives and Cucumbers
Sounds like a wonderful event, excellent causes.
I see you left the skin on… how did that taste/texture?
I haven’t been able to get on the Dorie site today… have you? It won’t load for me?
I wanted a striped-effect, thought it would be prettier. Not a good idea! Peel the peel.
Mary – this post made me smile. And I am sure the cause is very lucky to have someone like you as a champion.
That sounds like such a wonderful event, for a great cause. Long table dinners are a trend here, too, and create a nice opportunity to meet like-minded folks.
We really liked this dish and eating it inspired everyone to think of future variations. Cheese ranked high on the list, but Cher’s post has got me thinking about bacon. So much for a vegetarian dish…
That´s a wonderful cause, and I´m happy you´re taking part in it! And I´m also glad you enjoyed this tartine; it didn´t work for me…at all. Have a great weekend!
Sounds like a fun evening for a worthy cause! Your tartine looks like it turned out perfectly. you’ve been in my thoughts.
Yours is very pretty but how did you EAT it? Knife and fork, huh? Also PDT sounds like a fab event for a wonderful cause!
Knife and fork. Still messy.
Sounds like a perfect evening, while supporting such a worthwhile cause!!
Your tartine looks wonderful …so glad you enjoyed this one…it was a winner for me, too! Such a fresh and delicious dish! Have a wonderful weekend, Mary!
Mary, starting with your aubergine tartines, they look lovely and delicious and so late summery. We had to eat ours with knife and fork as well since I opted for a bit of a different presentation. Then, your Dinner event, it sounds like quite a wonderful event, all for a good cause or rather good causes, a place to meet a lot of new peolple amd enjoy delicious food. The charities that are close to your heart can probably benefit from all the support that is given to them. While I studied for my two law degrees, I used to work in a women’s and children’s shelter once a week, amd some weekends I organized outings and dinners etc. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, I miss being able to work there in my free time. Be that as it may, kudos for supporting all these good causes!
Enjoy your weekend !
Two posts in one, I feel like I got a Two For One Deal today! Interesting to hear about Project Dinner Table, thanks for sharing about that. Your FFwD dish looks so good all piled high like that, I just want to get a fork and show up there asap. We really liked this one. I can think of a million things to do with eggplant cooked this way, all kinds of toppings and such.
Sounds like a fun event! I’ve never gotten the hang of cutting back during the week before I know I’m about to overload. It’s a good philosophy!
Your tartines look so refreshing and crisp, just like your virtual personality! I take great pleasure being in your and so many other wonderful women via TwD and now FFwD. You have a big heart, Mary, and your support of these causes is more proof of that!
Hi Mary, I was confused when you said you were attending an event in Vegas, because I thought you’d gone to Colorado, but now I see that you went back. It sounds like a fabulous event, for such good causes. I hope that you had a blast. Your eggplant tartines look picture perfect. I loved the topping best, though I do love eggplant almost any way it can be prepared.
Sometimes I think I live “on the road” rather than in Colorado or Nevada. It’s just an unsettled period right now while I get lots of tasks handled. It’s a little confusing for me also. I will be glad when affairs get completed My lawyer and accountant and I are working very diligently at that.
This dish looks amazing! I love this style of food but decided to go with the flow of life n catch up on a dish I missed last year.
I really enjoy reading about how things are approached in different parts of the world. The causes are so important!
Your tartine look divine!
Very nice, Mary. I missed out on this one because I was too busy prepping for my party. It does look very light & healthy. What a cool event and a wonderful cause.
Thanks for all the support & birthday wishes!
Eggplant has always been my “theme vegetable”…yum!