Lunch: Eggplant, Tomato, and Pesto Stack

Recipe by Andrea Bemis I spend most of late summer picking these veggies," Bemis says. "I have to get creative to keep up. The pesto makes this combo so refreshing.

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Nuts, Walnuts, Basil

Health and fertility benefits of Eggplant, Tomato, and Pesto Stack

Nuts are a natural source of Inositol, a derivative of Vitamin B (which is often prescribed in the form of supplements for women with PCOS). Inositol can effectively control the symptoms of PCOS by reducing insulin resistance and improving insulin sensitivity. Walnuts are low on the glycemic index. What’s more, they also lower the glycemic index of other foods that you eat in conjunction with these nuts. Any kind of nuts provide a healthy source of fat and a great way to encourage PCOS weight loss. Basil is an excellent stress reliever, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Ingredients

1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts, divided
2 cups fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
3 medium garlic cloves
1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1 large eggplant, cut into 8 1/2-inch rounds
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 large heirloom tomatoes, cut into 4 slices each
4 slices (4 ounces) fresh mozzarella
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Instructions

In a food processor, pulse 1/2 cup walnuts until finely chopped. Add 2 cups basil and garlic, and pulse while slowly adding 1/2 cup oil, scraping down sides as needed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add Parmesan; season with salt and black pepper; process until pesto is well combined. Heat oven to 400 °F. Brush eggplant slices with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil and sprinkle with sea salt; roast on a baking sheet, turning once, until tender and golden, 20 minutes. Top each with 1 tablespoon pesto. Alternately layer 2 eggplant slices, 2 tomato slices and 1 slice mozzarella. (Refrigerate any remaining pesto for another use.) Divide balsamic vinegar, remaining 2 tablespoons walnuts and basil leaves among stacks.

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