Balsamic Roasted Eggplant Food

EGGPLANT PARMESAN WITH BALSAMIC GLAZE

Steps:

• For the balsamic glaze: Put the vinegar in a small nonreactive saucepan over high heat and cook until reduced to 1/2 cup, 12 to 15 minutes. Stir in the honey and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool to room temperature.
• For the roasted red pepper tomato sauce: Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until soft. Add the garlic and red chile flakes and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the tomatoes and their juices, salt and pepper, bring to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to soften, 20 minutes. Coarsely mash the tomatoes with a potato masher. Add the pureed piquillo peppers and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally. Add the oregano and half of the basil and cook until the sauce is thickened, about 25 minutes more. Taste for seasoning and stir in the parsley. Reserve the remaining basil for serving.
• For the eggplant: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly butter the bottom and sides of a 15-by-10-by-2-inch flameproof baking dish and set aside. Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or deep fryer to 365 degrees F.
• Combine the fontina and shredded mozzarella in a bowl and set aside. Combine the breadcrumbs and panko in a large shallow baking dish and season with salt and pepper. Place the flour in a medium shallow baking dish or large plate and season with salt and pepper. Whisk the egg and 2 tablespoons of water together in another medium shallow baking dish and season with salt and pepper.
• Season each eggplant slice on both sides with salt and pepper. Dredge each eggplant slice in the flour, tapping off the excess, then dip it in the egg and dredge it in the breadcrumb mixture. Shake off any excess breading and transfer the eggplant to a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining eggplant slices. Fry the eggplant slices in batches until tender and golden brown on each side and tender, about 2 minutes per side. Remove to a baking sheet lined with paper towels and season with salt.
• Lay 8 slices of the fried eggplant in the prepared baking dish, top each slice with about 1/4 cup of the roasted red pepper tomato sauce, 1/4 cup of the combined cheeses and a tablespoon of the remaining chopped basil. Season with salt and pepper. Take 4 of the topped eggplant slices and place them on the other 4 so you have a total of 4 eggplant stacks. Top each stack with one more eggplant slice, 1/4 cup of the sauce, some of the basil and a few thin slices of the fresh mozzarella. Bake until the cheese melts, 8 to 10 minutes. Place under the broiler and broil until the fresh mozzarella is golden brown, about 30 seconds. Top with the remaining chopped fresh basil and drizzle with the balsamic glaze.

FLANK STEAK WITH BALSAMIC ROASTED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Put a rimmed baking sheet in the oven and preheat to 450˚ F. Combine the eggplant, red onion, 1/4 cup olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt and the red pepper flakes in a large bowl and toss to coat. Spread out on the preheated pan and roast, tossing once, until browned around the edges and tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and drizzle with the balsamic vinegar; toss gently.
• Meanwhile, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons water and a pinch of salt in a food processor or mini chopper. Pulse until mostly smooth (it should be the consistency of a thick pesto; if it's too thick, add more water 1 teaspoon at a time). Adjust the seasoning, if needed.
• Season the steak all over with salt, pepper and the herbes de Provence. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and heat until shimmering. Add the steak and cook until well browned, about 4 minutes. Flip and cook until browned on the other side, 4 to 5 minutes for medium rare. Transfer to a cutting board to rest 5 minutes.
• Toss the basil with the eggplant; season with salt, if needed. Divide among plates. Slice the steak, divide among the plates and top with the sun-dried tomato mixture.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH BALSAMIC VINEGAR RELISH

Steps:

• Place sliced eggplant in a colander in the sink. Sprinkle eggplant with 2 teaspoons salt. Let sit for 30 minutes to release any bitter juices. Rinse with cold water and dry on paper towels.
• Heat a grill pan to high heat. Place 2 tablespoons olive oil in a small bowl. Brush eggplant lightly with olive oil and grill for 2 minutes, pressing down occasionally with a spatula. Turn each slice, without flipping, and continue grilling for 2 more minutes to form beautiful grill marks. Flip eggplant and repeat this process on the other side. Remove grilled eggplant to a serving platter.
• Whisk together remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, balsamic vinegar, oregano, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Add tomato and mix well. Pour over the grilled eggplant.

BALSAMIC ROASTED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Whisk vinegar and mustard in medium bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Stir in garlic, thyme, and basil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Dressing can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Toss onions and next 6 ingredients in large bowl; sprinkle with coarse salt and pepper. Add dressing; toss to coat. Divide between 2 large rimmed baking sheets. Roast until vegetables are tender and slightly brown around edges, about 35 minutes.

BALSAMIC EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Combine vinegar, oil, oregano, 1/2 tsp each salt, pepper and sugar.
• Coat large cookie sheet with vegetable cooking spray.
• Brush both sides of eggplant with vinegar mixture and arrange in single layer on cookie sheet.
• Bake 15 minutes per side or until fork-tender.
• Combine onions, garlic, and 2 Tbsp of wine in large non-stick skillet, stirring over medium-high head until onions are soft, approximately 5 minutes.
• Stir in stewed tomatoes with their liquid, chopped tomato, basil, remaining 2 Tbsp wine, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp sugar.
• Bring to boil over high heat; reduce heat and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally to break up tomatoes, 10 minute.
• Makes approximately 2 1/2 cup sauce.
• Note: In a pinch I have used canned spaghetti sauce, and it worked just fine.
• Spoon one third of the sauce into shallow 2-quart baking dish.
• Arrange half the eggplant over sauce.
• Spoon half the remaining sauce over eggplant.
• Sprinkle on half of the mozzarella.
• Layer again with remaining eggplant, sauce and mozzarella.
• Top with parmesan.
• Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes.
• Bake uncovered 15 to 20 minutes more, until bubbly.
• Let stand 15 minutes before serving for easier cutting.
• Enjoy!

GRILLED BALSAMIC EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Add the marinade ingredients into a bag tossing to combine. Add the 4 quarters of the eggplant and marinade for 1 hour at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator.
• Preheat grill to high. Place the wedges on the grates reserving the marinade.Grill on hot oiled grates lowering heat to medium.
• Brown on all three sides. Marking each side. Will be ready when easy to remove from grate. For more tender move to indirect heat and grill till desired. About 10 minutes.
• Pour the reserved marinade over the hot eggplant.

BALSAMIC-ROASTED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Coat a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
• Mix potatoes, carrots, onion, balsamic vinegar, butter, thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper together in a large glass bowl. Spread mixture into the prepared pan in an even layer. Cover with foil.
• Roast in the preheated oven, giving the pan a shake every 15 minutes to ensure even cooking, for 45 minutes.
• Remove foil and continue to roast, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for another 30 minutes.