Hope everyone is enjoying February vacation week. Thank you to all teachers and staff. If you’re lucky enough to be in a warmer climate, I hope you’re sucking up some well-deserved vitamin C. If you’re home in our awesome little town, if you haven’t heard, it’s tourney time. Wishing both our boys and girls the best of luck in Augusta. Go big blue!

Today I’m going to tell you about one of Dr. Andrews’ and his staff’s favorite dish, eggplant Parmigiana.

First, to make the sauce, I use two Pomi chopped tomatoes. They come in a box and you can get them at your local Hannaford; one can of mild Ro*Tel; onion; fresh garlic (one whole head crushed); one tablespoon of oregano and basil; three peeled eggplant; two cups of mozzarella; one cup of cheddar; one cup of hard grated Parmigiana; a pinch of salt and pepper; half of a bottle of old red wine (I always save red wine and cook with it); and one tablespoon of sugar. Simmer the tomatoes, Ro*Tel, onion and spices on low for an hour. While that’s simmering, slice your eggplant (quarter of an inch width), wet with water or egg wash and dip the pieces in some seasoned Panko bread crumbs. On a cookie sheet with parchment paper, bake the eggplant in a pre-heated oven 350 degrees for about 20 minutes, flip and cook 15 more minutes. I like them crispy.

After you’ve cooked your eggplant it’s time to build your dish.

Spray a standard nine-inch by 13-inch pan with Pam. Cover the bottom of the pan with sauce, add eggplant, then add your assortment of cheeses. You’re going to repeat this three times so you should have three layers. Cover with tinfoil and bake covered for 45 minutes. Uncover for the last 15 minutes so the top gets crispy. Let rest for 10 minutes and enjoy with a side green salad. This is a dish I make on the weekends because it takes a little more time, but it’s well worth it.

I want to say Happy Birthday to my beautiful grandson this week on the 21st. Phillip is turning 2.

Stay safe and have an awesome week.

One more shoutout to the Seahawks. Good luck and bring home the gold!

Not sure what’s up for next week. Live, love and always remember to find something to laugh at. Pay it forward.