Eggplant has the star role in Israeli woman’s cookbook

Smalheiser credits her love of eggplant to her mother. "We ate it all the time," she says. "I wrote the cookbook to my taste and tested all of the recipes on friends."

Smalheiser emigrated from the United States to Mitzpe Ramon, a pollution-free hilltop desert town, twelve years ago with her husband. She holds an a master's degree in home economics from the University of Iowa. She taught Chinese cooking for nine years and lectures on the uses of soy products.

Smalheiser travels around the world -- but is never "just" a tourist. She and her husband believe that "active tourism" is the way to see the world. On a recent trip to Thailand, they not only experienced Thai massage, but also learned how to practice it. On a forthcoming trip to China, the couple has signed up for an eight-week course in Tai Chi to be given at Beijing University.

"Simply Eggplant" includes history and folklore, cultivation, varieties, nutritional value, recipes and many other uses for the vegetable.

-- The Source Israel