This morning on CBC's Weekend Morning Show

This morning I had the pleasure of presenting ideas on lowering the bad fats in our diets with the Living Right Now national CBC program on the Weekend Morning Show with guest host Laurie Hoogstraten.

The Moroccan eggplant dish is very easy to prepare and can be made one or two days in advance. I used smoked hot paprika to carry over that smokey flavour that comes from roasting the eggplant over coals.

1. Eggplant Salad, Rabat Style

1 eggplant
1 clove garlic, peeled and slivered
2 tbs chopped parsley
2 sprigs cilantro, chopped
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp ground cumin
2 tbs olive oil (or less)
1-2 tbs lemon juice
pinch salt

Stud the eggplant with garlic slivers, using a pairing knife to cut slits into the eggplant. Bake at 400ºF until very soft. Remove from oven to cool when darkened and "collapsed".

When cool enough to handle, squeeze out the flesh of the eggplant into a sieve. Discard liquid and skin of eggplant.

Mash or push the eggplant and garlic through a food mill (avoid a blender as it won't give you the desired effect).

Add the chopped herbs and spices and mix well. Fry in the olive oil over moderate heat, turning often until all of the liquid has evaporated and the eggplant has been reduced to a thick black jam, about 15 - 20 minutes. Sprinkle with lemon juice and salt. Serve warm or slightly cooled.

Try with grape tomatoes and good toasted pita bread.

Enjoy!

2. International Creamers

Read the ingredients of the international creamers. High Fructose Corn Syrup, fats of different kinds. Treat yourself without harming yourself. Take one can of fat-free condensed milk. Add vanilla and Stevia or Splenda and store in the refrigerator for the "French Vanilla" coffee flavour. Try almond extract, or other sugar-free extracts for different flavours.

Try out a very nicely designed creamer container by Trudeau available at D. A. Niels Gourmet Kitchenware at 485 Berry St.

To make excellent hot chocolate that gives you the creamy texture without the fat, make cocoa with good cocoa powder, Splenda or Stevia, a can of fat-free milk. A lovely treat on a cold Winter's day.