Catalan Stuffed Aubergines Eggplant Food

CREOLE STUFFED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Heat the butter and olive oil together in large skillet.
• Add the onion, celery, and garlic and saute over low heat until the onion is translucent.
• Add the diced bell pepper and continue to saute until the onion is golden.
• In the meantime, stem the eggplants and cut them in half lengthwise.
• With a sharp knife, score each half several times lengthwise and across, carefully removing the pulp.
• Leave a sturdy shell of about 1/4" all around.
• Chop the eggplant pulp and add it to the skillet mixture along with all the remaining ingredients except the bread crumbs.
• Add a bit of water, just enough to keep the mixture moist.
• Simmer, covered, over low heat until the eggplant is tender, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in the bread crumbs.
• Set the eggplant shells in an oiled shallow baking dish, which should be of a size that they can be securely propped up against each other.
• Stuff the eggplant shells with the sauteed mixture, then drizzle them with 2 tablespoons of melted butter apiece.
• Bake at 375 degrees F for 30-40 minutes, or until the shells are tender but not collapsed.
• Serve with a bit of grated Parmesan for garnish.
• Note: if you do not like green bell pepper, you might want to try substituting with orange, yellow, or red bell pepper.

CATALAN AUBERGINES/EGGPLANTS

Steps:

• Prepare the eggplants/aubergines by peeling them and cutting into cubes (about 1-inch).
• Heat the oil in a frying pan add the cubes and sauté for a few minutes
• Add the chopped onion, crushed garlic and paprika to the eggplant/aubergine in the frying pan and fry over a low heat for a further 5 mins
• Add the chopped tomatoes; season with salt and pepper
• Cover the frying pan and cook for a further 15 minutes (checking that the eggplant/ aubergine is well cooked and tender).
• Place in a serving dish and garnish with a chopped fresh parsley.

EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) & HERB STUFFING CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Peel, cube & parboil eggplant for 5 min in boiling water. Drain well & set aside.
• Butter a 2 qt baking dish. Begin by sprinkling 2/3 cup of stuffing mix on the bottom & then place 1/2 of the eggplant on top of the stuffing.
• Distribute entire amt of onion, bell pepper & tomato evenly over the eggplant & then 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese over that.
• Then layer on the remainder of the stuffing mix, eggplant & mozzarella cheese (in that order) & top evenly w/Parmesan cheese.
• Bake for 30 min or till hot & bubbly. Serve immediately.
• NOTE #1: This is 1 of several recipes I have seen lately to suggest parboiling eggplant. I have always sauteed eggplant in olive oil till just slightly tender for such uses & assume that can be done here as well if your pref.
• NOTE #2: While not a part of the recipe, the use of garlic here would be a must for me. If you agree, then lightly sprinkle garlic powder (or salt if your choice) over the onion, bell pepper & tomato layer b4 completing assembly of the casserole.

MOROCCAN STUFFED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200°C.
• Using a small knife and a spoon, carefully remove the flesh from the eggplant halves without breaking the skin, and chop the flesh coarsely.
• Place the eggplant halves onto a baking tray, cut side up, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of oil and bake for 10-15 minutes, until tender.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pan, over a medium heat, and sauté the eggplant flesh for 3-5 minutes, until it is golden and tender; remove from the pan and set aside.
• In the same pan, heat the remaining oil over a high heat and sauté the onion and garlic for 1 minute, then add the ground meat and cook for 4-5 minutes, until it is well browned, breaking up the lumps as it browns with the back of a spoon.
• Return the eggplant to the pan, add the Moroccan seasoning and cook, stirring, for 1 minute, until fragrant. Stir in the tomato, pine nuts and sugar and season to taste.
• Fill the eggplant halves with the meat mixture and sprinkle with breadcrumbs and Parmesan.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden and tender.
• Serve with the tomato and cucumber salad and fresh crusty bread.
• Tomato and Cucumber Salad: Chop the cucumber and toss the cucumber pieces and halved cherry tomatoes with the olive oil and red wine vinegar and season to taste.

STUFFED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Cut eggplant in half, scoop out the pulp, leaving a 1/2 inch shell. Chop the flesh finely.
• Heat 2 tablespoons water in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chopped eggplant for about 1 minute. Stir in onion, garlic, and parsley, and cook until tender. Transfer to a large bowl, and mix in bread crumbs, chopped olives, capers, and lemon juice. Season with basil, pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stuff into eggplant shells.
• Top stuffed eggplants with overlapping slices of tomato. Drizzle with 4 tablespoons olive oil. Place on baking sheet.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.