Cindys Ritzy Eggplant Food

CINDY LOBSTER STUFFED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat with the 8 rosemary sprigs. Turn the heat to the lowest setting and allow the rosemary and butter to fuse together, but do not let the butter brown.
• In a medium skillet, saute the garlic, shallots, and chopped rosemary together in the 1 tablespoon olive oil until the garlic and shallots become fragrant. Then add the lobster meat and gently cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Lightly season the lobster meat with salt and pepper.
• On a clean surface, take a piece of bacon and lay it out lengthwise. Coat the eggplant slices lightly with olive oil and barely season with salt and pepper. Put a piece of the coated eggplant on top of the bacon, perpendicularly. Put a piece of mozzarella on top of the eggplant. Scoop a generous portion of the lobster and place on top of the cheese. Put another piece of eggplant on top of the lobster and create an eggplant sandwich. Wrap the bacon around the sandwich then gently put on a cookie sheet or oven-safe dish. Repeat this process until all the lobster is used.
• Remove the rosemary sprigs from the butter and set them aside on a plate or clean surface. Pour the rosemary butter on top of the sandwiches until they are all saturated. Lightly season the sandwiches with salt and pepper before baking. Bake until the bacon has browned nicely, about 10 minutes. Garnish with the reserved rosemary sprigs. Serve hot.

GRILLED BABY EGGPLANTS WITH FRESH RICOTTA AND FARM STAND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Combine the tomatoes, garlic, oregano, and parsley in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature while you prepare the eggplant or for up to 2 hours.
• Combine the ricotta and lemon zest in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate while you prepare the eggplant or for up to 2 hours.
• Heat a grill to high or a grill pan over high heat.
• Brush the eggplant on both sides with the canola oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the eggplant, cut-side down, until golden brown and caramelized, about 4 minutes. Flip the eggplant and grill until the bottom is golden brown and the eggplant is tender, about 3 minutes more.
• Transfer the eggplant to a platter, cut-side up, and top each half with a large dollop of the ricotta. Spoon the tomatoes over the top and serve.