Baked Eggplant And Tomatoes Total time: 1 hour 3 medium-size eggplants, a scant 3 pounds Salt 4 medium-size ripe tomatoes 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 6 tablespoons dry bread crumbs 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 2 cloves garlic, finely minced Freshly ground black pepper to taste 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan 2 tablespoon slivered basil leaves.

Grilled Sesame Shrimp Total time: 45 minutes 2 pounds large shrimp, shells on (heads, too, if possible) 2 tablespoons coarse salt 2 tablespoons freshly ground pepper 2 tablespoons peanut oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon ginger, minced 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 2 tablespoons sesame oil.

Place the shrimp and garlic in the bowl of a food processor and process until very finely minced.

Falafel With Peanut Butter-Yogurt Tahini Total time: 30 minutes 3 cups cooked garbanzo beans (1 cup dry uncooked beans) 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 medium onion, minced 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1/2 cup flour 2 quarts peanut oil for deep frying.