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Eggplant
Oven Ratatouille
Oven Ratatouille
This recipe looks long. But really, it's just a lot of instruction about properly roasting the various vegetables in this dish. The roasting sweetens and concentrates the flavors of them all. This is a very healthy, very tasty dish. Another from Mollie Katzen's Vegetable Dishes I Can't Live Without.
3 to 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large globe eggplant (about 1 pound), cut into 3/4-inch cubes (peeling unnecessary if the skin is tight and smooth)
2 pounds ripe plum tomatoes (or 1 smallish heirloom or beefsteak)
6 medium-sized garlic cloves, unpeeled
2 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange)
2 cups coarsely chopped onion
1 medium zucchini (7 to 8 inches long), cut into 1-inch cubes
1 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried marjoram or oregano
1/2 teaspoon each crumbled dried thyme and rosemary
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional:
Small amounts of fresh herbs (basil, marjoram or oregano, rosemary, thyme, and/or parsley)
Pitted chopped olives
Arrange an oven rack in the topmost position, and another in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line 1 small and 2 large baking trays with foil, and coast the foil generously with the olive oil.
Place the eggplant on one of the large trays, and toss to coat with oil. Then push it to one side, keeping it in a single layer. Arrange the tomatoes on the other half of the tray, rolling them around so they get coated with oil. Wrap the garlic cloves (still in their skins) and a half teaspoon of water tightly in a piece of foil, and place this on the corner of the same tray.
Place the whole bell peppers on the small tray.
Spread the onions and the zucchini pieces on opposite ends of the remaining large tray, and toss to coat with the oil.
Place the eggplant tray on the middle shelf of the oven, and put the small sheet with the peppers on the upper rack. After 10 minutes, use tongs to turn everything over. Repeat this turning process after another 10 minutes or so. Gently squeeze the garlic to see if it is soft. If it is, remove it from the oven; if not, continue roasting.
Place the onion-zucchini tray on the middle shelf next to the one with the eggplant, and continue roasting all for another 10 minutes. Turn the peppers and tomatoes one more time, and toss the eggplant, onions, and zucchini to help them brown evenly. Sprinkle the eggplant, onions, and zucchini evenly with the dried herbs. Once again, squeeze the garlic to see if it is soft. If so, remove it from the oven; if not, continue roasting. Roast a final 10 minutes, or until the vegetables become deep golden brown and very tender.
Transfer the eggplant, onion, and zucchini to a large bowl. Let the peppers, tomatoes, and garlic sit for a few minutes, or until comfortable to handle. Peel the peppers, then chop the tomatoes and peeled peppers roughly into 1-inch pieces and add to the eggplant mixture. Slip the roasted garlic cloves from their skins, mash with a fork, and add to the eggplant mixture.
Toss until well combined. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled to plain or topped with a sprinkling of freshly chopped herbs and/or olives.
'Caponata' (Sicilian Aubergine Stew)
'Caponata' (Sicilian Aubergine Stew)
Caponata is a kind of eggplant stew that is flavoured with vinegar and sugar which gives it a sweet and sour flavour. It is usually served cold as part of an antipasti platter but is also nice served as a light lunch with some good crusty bread. Adapted from a recipe on Jamie Oliver.com
1 large aubergine, cubed
1 med onion, thinly sliced
3 sticks of celery (leaves left on), sliced (can be skipped - or could add sliced fennel)
about 20 green olives
1 heaped tbsp of capers
2-3 large tomatoes, chopped
2 tbsp of vinegar
3 tsp sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
Approx 4-5 tbsp olive oil
Using a large frying pan, heat the 3-4 tbsp of olive oil and fry the eggplants over a medium heat till nicely browned. Remove from the pan.
Add 1 tbsp of olive oil to the pan and fry the onions gently till opaque and lightly golden. Add the celery (or fennel) next and fry for about 2 mins. Add the rest of the ingredients to the pan (including the eggplants)and season with salt and pepper. Add a few of tablespoons of water to the mixture and cook over a low heat for a total of 15mins. If the mixture begins to dry out, add a little more water (no more than a tbsp at a time).
Remove from the heat and allow to cool down to room temperature before serving.
Polenta and Vegetable Bake
Polenta and Vegetable Bake
[Passed on by one of our Craftsbury members and the original recipe came from Eating Well magazine. Her substitutions are in parenthesis.-esg]
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped (this is my addition)
1 medium eggplant, diced (I used the patty pan squash)
1 small zucchini, finely diced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup water (I didn't use any)
1 10-oz bag baby spinach (I used the cress instead)
1 1/2 cups marinara sauce (I used a few chopped tomatoes instead, that's why I didn't use water)
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1 14 or 16 oz tube prepared polenta, sliced lengthwise into 6 thin slices
1 1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella, divided
1. Preheat oven to 450 and coat a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add
onion, eggplant, zucchini, salt and pepper and cook, stirring
occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and just beginning to
brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Add water (or tomatoes) and spinach (or other
greens); cover and cook until wilted, stirring once, about 3 minutes.
Stir marinara sauce into the vegetables and heat through, 1 to 2
minutes. Remove from heat and stir in basil.
3. Place polenta slices in a single layer in the prepared baking dish,
trimming to fit. Sprinkle with 3/4 cup cheese, top with the veggie
mixture and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake until bubbling and the
cheese is melted, 12 to 15 minutes. Let stand for about 5 minutes
before serving.
Summer Vegetable Ragu
Summer Vegetable Ragu
This is how Heather prepares summer's bounty of vegetables. It's something like ratatouille, but you can use any vegetables you have on hand. It's great served with pasta, polenta, or rice, with some fresh grated Parmesan cheese or crumbled feta. It also makes a yummy, if juicy, sandwich in a baguette! Serves 4-6.
4 cups or more of uniformly cut vegetables, such as beans, zukes, cauliflower, peppers, eggplant, and/or summer squash
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 TB oil
3 tomatoes, chopped (2 cups)
1/4 cup minced fresh herbs, basil/mint/oregano
Salt & pepper
Heat oil in a deep wide sauté pan and cook garlic and onion until soft, fragrant and beginning to brown. Add vegetables, except tomatoes. Season with salt & pepper and sauté until nearly tender, with some brown flecks. Add tomatoes and herbs. Simmer gently until the tomatoes are saucy and the vegetables are cooked to your liking.
Grilled Vegetable Salad with Tomatoes and Feta
Grilled Vegetable Salad with Tomatoes and Feta
Grilling the vegetables adds pizzazz to this Mediterranean-inspired salad. Approximately 4-6 servings.
1 lb. snap beans, ends removed
1/2 a sweet onion, sliced thin
1 small zucchini or eggplant sliced crosswise or 1 large green pepper sliced into 1/2 thick wedges
2 TB sunflower or olive oil
1 large tomato, seeds removed, cut in 1 dice
6 oz crumbled feta cheese
2 TB toasted pine nuts
3 TB red wine vinegar
1 garlic clove mashed to a paste with kosher salt
salt and pepper to taste
6 TB sunflower or olive oil
Preheat barbecue (medium-high heat) or preheat broiler. Cook beans in large pot of boiling salted water until just crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Shock beans by placing in a large bowl of ice water. Drain and pat dry with a dishtowel. Toss beans and eggplant, pepper or zucchini in a large bowl with 2 tablespoons of oil. Season with salt and pepper.
Grill or broil oiled vegetables until beginning to brown, turning frequently, 2-5 minutes. Transfer to large bowl. Add onions and tomatoes. Make dressing by combining the vinegar, minced garlic, salt and pepper. Then whisk in oil. Toss vegetables with dressing, adjust seasonings and sprinkle with pine nuts. Serve at room temperature.
Eggplant-Polenta Stacks With Tomato Sauce
Eggplant-Polenta Stacks With Tomato Sauce
Adapted from Epicurious.com. Serves 4.
1.5 lb. tomatoes
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup (packed) freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 3 ounces)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1/2 large eggplant or 1 small, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices
Coarse salt
1 large zucchini, cut diagonally into 1/4-inch-thick slices
Additional olive oil
4 large fresh basil leaves
4 1/4-inch-thick slices mozzarella cheese
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
To remove tomato skins, core the tomato then submerge in boiling water for 20-30 seconds, until the skin begins to pull away. Immediately dunk into an ice water bath until cool to the touch. Remove from water and peel skin. Puree tomatoes in blender. Strain into a heavy small saucepan. Add 1/4 cup water. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium; simmer tomatoes to reduce, about 10 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons oil and simmer 5 minutes to blend flavors. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
Combine 4 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to boil. Gradually whisk in cornmeal. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until polenta is very thick, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Add Parmesan and butter and stir until melted. Mix in cayenne pepper. Spread polenta in 9-inch-square pan. Refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour. (Sauce and polenta can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate.)
Prepare grill (medium-high heat) or preheat broiler. Brush eggplant and zucchini with oil. Season with salt and pepper. Grill or broil until tender, about 2 minutes per side.
Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly oil large baking sheet. Cut polenta into 4 rounds. Place rounds on prepared baking sheet. Top each with eggplant, 2 zucchini slices, basil leaf and mozzarella slice.
Bake eggplant stacks until cheese melts and begins to brown, about 15 minutes. Transfer to plates. Rewarm sauce. Spoon around eggplant stacks. Sprinkle with chopped basil and serve.
Heather's Fave Grilled Vegetable Sandwiches
Heather's Fave Grilled Vegetable Sandwiches
This is a sandwich stack, meant to be eaten with fork and knife! If you like, make full sandwiches with 2 slices of bread, but expect juice to be running down your wrist! We eat this at least once a week in high summer. Serves 4.
Marinade
1/4 cup oil
2 TB soy sauce
2 TB balsamic vinegar
1 tsp prepared mustard
1 clove minced garlic
salt & fresh ground pepper
Vegetables
1 sweet onion cut in thick rounds
2 squash, cut into 1/2 diagonal slices
1 or 2 eggplant, cut into 1/2 slices
1 pepper, cut into thin strips
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 TB finely cut basil ribbons
4 slices bread for open face stacks
1 or 2 tomatoes, sliced
1 mozzarella ball, sliced
Whisk together marinade ingredients in a large bowl. Toss cut vegetables in marinade and set aide. Mix basil into mayo to make the sandwich dressing. Heat grill or a grill pan for the vegetables.
Grill vegetables brushing with marinade, until browning and tender. Remove to a plate.
To assemble sandwiches, spread mayo on bread, layer on vegetables, tomato and cheese. Place on medium high heat grill to toast bread slightly and melt the cheese a bit. Serve immediately.
Ratatouille
Ratatouille
It's the season for this classic French casserole, a delicious stew of eggplant, onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, and zucchini. By Julia Child
1/2 pound eggplant
1/2 pound zucchini, trimmed
1 teaspoon salt
7 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 8-ounce onion, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
2 green bell peppers, thinly sliced into strips
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 pound firm but ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded, cut into 3/8- to 1/4-inch-thick strips
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
Peel eggplant; cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices, then cut into 3-inch-long, 1-inch-wide strips. Cut zucchini into same size strips. Place vegetables in large bowl; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt. Let stand 30 minutes. Drain; dry with paper towels.
Heat 4 tablespoons oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add eggplant and zucchini to skillet; sauté until light golden, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to plate; reserve.
Add 3 tablespoons oil to skillet; heat over medium heat. Add onion and peppers; sauté until just tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in garlic. Season with salt and pepper.
Place tomato strips atop onion-pepper mixture in skillet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover skillet; cook over low heat until tomatoes begin to juice, about 5 minutes. Uncover; baste vegetables in skillet with juices. Boil until juices are almost evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes.
Transfer 1/3 of onion-pepper-tomato mixture to 2 1/2-quart pot; sprinkle with 1 tablespoon parsley. Top with half of eggplant and half of zucchini, then remaining onion-pepper-tomato mixture; sprinkle with 1 tablespoon parsley. Layer remaining eggplant and zucchini over; sprinkle with 1 tablespoon parsley. Cover; simmer over low heat 10 minutes. Uncover; tilt pot and baste with accumulated juices. Increase heat to medium; simmer uncovered, basting several times with pan juices until only 2 to 3 tablespoons juices remain in pot, watching closely to avoid scorching, 10 to 15 minutes longer. Season with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 8 hours ahead. Cool slightly. Cover; chill. Serve at room temperature or rewarm over medium-low heat before serving.
