Eggplant pizza + healthy side dish

Since I stopped eating meat, I have started trying new vegetables…including eggplant. I don't think I ever even tasted eggplant before this point in my life, but now I have it at least once a week. Eggplant is such a versatile vegetable that can act as a base of a meal, a meat substitute, or a side. When I went home to visit my parents, I decided to make them a healthy vegetarian meal, inspired by eggplant. I'm calling this meal "healthy eggplant pizza."

Ingredients for this entire meal

1 eggplant

1 can of tomatoes

1 tomato off the vine

Black pepper

1 pack of brussels sprouts

Italian seasoning

Lemon juice

Arugula

Olive oil

To start, I washed the eggplant then sliced it up. One eggplant goes a long way! I rubbed the slices with olive oil, then sprinkled on black pepper and parsley. I baked these in the oven for about 10-12 min.

Once the eggplant slices baked for a little, I added sliced tomatoes on top and sprinkled parsley and pepper on top. Then I put the tray back in the oven for 5-7 min. to heat up the tomatoes a little.

I cooked "meatless" veggie crumbles in a pot with a can of tomatoes to make the "meat sauce" to go on top of the eggplant slices. This was a delicious healthier, meatless alternative to meat and canned spaghetti sauce.

I cooked fresh brussels sprouts to go on top of the "pizzas" using my favorite recipe.

I dressed some fresh arugula in lemon juice and black pepper.

Then, I added two of the baked eggplant slices with tomato slices to each plate.

I then added on the veggie crumbles in the tomato sauce. I thought the brussels sprouts would be great toppings so I added 2 sprouts to each plate.

The finished product! 2 Eggplant pizzas topped with sliced tomato, veggie crumbles in tomato sauce, and brussels sprouts. All served on a bed of lemony arugula. 

I loved this meal and it tasted unbelievably healthy, but still so delicious and tasty! My parents also appreciate good food and they approved of this meatless, bread-less, and cheese-free meal!

Give it a try next time you want a complete tasty meal!