Pan-fried Eggplant & Spinach Pesto Pasta (vegan)

We have this restaurant in Spokane called Ciao Mambo.  It's one of my favorite Italian restaurants here, however it's nowhere having the requirements to feed a vegan.  It's classic Italian, cheese, cheese, CHEESE!

When Jake and I went there for a date night a while ago{Pre~Veg}I had THE BEST breaded eggplant ever.  It had marinara sauce, loaded with garlic, and was dripping with freshly melted mozzarella...heaven!

But healthy won out...and this dish was born.  Equally delicious and better for you too!  Enjoy!

Pan-Fried Eggplant & Spinach Pesto Pasta

Prep Time: 20-30 minutes

Cook Time; 20 Minutes

Pesto:

2 cups spinach

Large sprig fresh basil

Small handful green kale

1/8 cup flax seeds

2 tablespoons chopped garlic

Sprinkle of sea salt

1/4 cup Sesame seed oil

1/4 cup olive oil

1/8 cup water

Eggplant:

1/4 of a whole eggplant, per serving

Olive oil

Bread Crumbs (make sure they are vegan)

Other:

Rice Noodles

Boil water to cook the rice noodles.  Remember with rice noodles, they over-cook QUICKLY.  

While waiting on the water, slice the 1/4 of eggplant in 1/4" slices, and lightly coat in olive oil.  Fill a small bowl or plate with breadcrumbs and coat the oiled eggplant pieces in breadcrumbs.  Place in a medium heat pan and cover.  Check every 5 minutes or so, and as they cook, turn up the heat to aid browning.  Watch carefully to make sure they don't burn.  When they are cooked, remove from heat.  

For the pesto:  place all of the ingredients in the pesto list into a Cuisnart and blend until a thick paste.  Taste periodically for flavor.  If it comes out too thick, add a drizzle more oil or water to thin it a bit.  

To serve:  Mix the pesto and rice noodles, so that the noodles are completely coated.  Serve eggplant either on top, or on the side.  

**

Side note:  I chose not to peel the eggplant this time, however, I definitely would in the future.  You can eat eggplant skin like you would a potato skin, but both Jake and I agreed it was too awkward & difficult to cut.  Personal choice!  

Happy Cooking!

<3thehappyinsomniac