Eggplant treat easy to make, great for grilling season

My recent Taste story on herbs prompted longtime regular Taste of the Town reader Paulette Juryn to share a favorite recipe with me. And, me being me, I decided to share it with you.

“Get a nice eggplant,” Juryn emailed. “Slice it, not too thick, lengthwise.

You can leave the skin on, but be sure to wash it first.

Brush both sides with olive oil and cook on a grill pan on both sides until almost translucent.

When it is done to your liking, place a slice of mozzarella on one half, then place one or more fresh basil (leaves) on top of the mozzarella and fold over. That’s it. I like to pop mine in the oven so the cheese gets a little melty.”

And I’d like to add that, with the best of the grilling season upon us, this would be great made on a grill (especially over some burning hardwood), which would add a nice bit of smoky flavor. ...

For Michael Winne, the Jensens at Village Meat & Wine, 5025 S. Eastern Ave., said they carry Hero Red Currant Fruit Spread. ...

For Kathleen Rice, they carry dried Great Northern beans and cannellini beans. ...

And for Pat Reynolds, they sell frozen bone-in turkey breast, year-round

More reader requests

Rick and Ellen Yockelson: yogurt cheese;

Amy McGinnis: Entenmann’s Walnut Danish Ring and Pecan Danish Ring;

Patricia Miller: Land O’ Lakes whipped cream, which she got at Costco in California.

And Leslie Fay: a local source for Toscano salumi.

Readers?

News for foodies

Plenty of ono grinds — that, reportedly, is Hawaiian for “great food” — will be on the menu at the Ohana Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd. Hula lessons, lei-making, dancing, music and more will be part of the festive event that’s designed to make you feel like you live on an island (maybe the ninth island?) instead of in a desert. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for kids ages 5-12. For tickets and more information, go to www.SpringsPreserve.org, or call 822-7700. ...

Tastings of more than 80 wines from more than 40 wineries will be the focus of Rock ’n Roll Wine’s ninth annual Reggae Party from 7 to 11 p.m. (with tastings from 7 to 10 p.m.) Saturday at the pool at the Palms, 4321 W. Flamingo Road. Tickets are $34.99 in advance, $39.99 at the door (plus taxes and fees) or $49.99 for VIP; for advance tickets, go to www.RNRWine.com or call 240-3066 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. ...

And the annual Las Vegas Epicurean Affair, hosted by chef Daniel Boulud, is 7 p.m. May 23 at The Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Tickets, at $105 (or $155 for 6 p.m. admission, $190 for VIP) are available at NVRestaurants.com, or call 878-2313. ...

Submit information to Heidi Knapp Rinella, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070. You also can send faxes to 383-4676 or email her at hrinella@reviewjournal.com. Include your first and last names and, if emailing, put “Taste of the Town” in the subject line. Follow @HKRinella on Twitter.