Again, blame it to the media publicity why I thought that broccoli was not a good vege. I have always seen on TV, especially where the kids where involved, that they have always resisted eating this vegetable. I then assumed that it was really bad until I came out of the country at 23, I never tasted broccoli. And when I did, I was surprised how good tasting it was (at least for me)!

The good news then followed. I have read from the Health Page of CNN that when this vege is boiled, it has more vitamin C than orange and has as much calcium as a glass of milk. It is also rich in fiber and vitamin A aside from the basic nutrients. And as stated, the real handsome point for this vegetable is its potent cancer-fighting components.

Broccoli (also cauliflower) has rich isothiocyanates substance -- chemicals shown to stimulate the body's production of its own cancer-fighting substances, called "phase two enzymes" that in turn neutralize potential cancer-causing substances before they have a chance to damage the DNA of healthy cells. To those who do not like Broccoli, you better practice liking it or have the cauliflower as an alternative, unless you want to regret later on. Go Brocco!

For my twenty-two years of life in the Philippines, I have learned how the eggplants were cooked. The best that I like is the "tortang talong" or the eggplant grilled and peeled then soaked in egg after which, it is fried. This is the one I like so much. The other menu includes talong with other vegetables like the squash/pumpkin and eggplant in the "Pinakbet" (a Filipino delicious vegetable mix). Other ways to have it cooked it is in "adobo"-similar style of cooking, sauted eggplant or eggplant salad (my second fave). I once tasted one menu of eggplant as an appetizer at Buto't Balat Restaurant in Iloilo City (Philippines) and I liked it too. It was (seemed to me) a grated eggplant, formed and baked with oil... or so it seemed.





Why I tell eggplanty things now? Because I have discovered a new way to make it and i tell you that it's really delicious. Of course per my palate! Do you know lasagna? This eggplant menu I'm telling you is purely Italian, prepared like how one prepares lasagna. Now you have a little clue.





When I saw how it was prepared, it seemed weired to me. But after I ate this "Parmiggiana" (this is how it is calle) it suddenly became one of my favorites. It is a layer of grilled eggplants sprinkled with formaggio (an Italian cheese) and thickened with "scamorza" (another Italian cheese but just a little harder than mozzarella). It is then mixed with boiled tomato sauce and then placed in the oven to let it ready. I'll just share with you how it was prepared and you may experiment on it if you get interested. But for me, it is really healthy and delicious. Why? Because it's all vegetable and so much calcium from cheese. Good for those who watch their cholesterol from fats and for those diet conscious. Of course it's good for vegetarians as well.

See realted posting on How Good Cheese/Milkand TomatoesAre.

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