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Impossible Eggplant Ragu

More experimenting with plant-based crumbles.  The Impossible burger adds protein and very good texture to this vegetarian ragu dish.


1 eggplant, diced
1 sweet yellow onion, diced
1 lb Impossible burger plant based protein
2 cloves garlic, minced
dash crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
1 Tbsp fresh rosemary (or thyme), minced
1 can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1 24 oz jar favorite tomato spaghetti sauce
1 15 oz can crushed tomatoes
8 oz favorite pasta - I used rigatoni

garnish:
grated parmesan cheese
fresh parsley

Sauté the onion in a dash of olive oil in a skillet.  Cook for about 5-8 minutes.  Add the Impossible burger protein, crumbled and brown in the skillet for about 5 minutes.
Add the garbanzos, garlic, rosemary and crushed red pepper flakes and cook another 2-3 minutes.
Add the spaghetti sauce and crushed tomatoes to the crumble mixture and bring to a gentle boil.  Stir and reduce to a simmer.  Cook, covered for about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring 2 quarts well-salted water to  boil in a pot for the pasta.  While the pasta cooks, sauté the eggplant in a dash of olive oil in a separate skillet until nicely browned.  
Cook pasta until al-dente and then drain.

Plate the pasta in a serving dish and generously sauce with the tomato sauce.  Top with the eggplant and garnish with parmesan and parsley.  Pass extra sauce on the side.

Serve 4-6.

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