Coal Roasted Eggplants Food

ROASTED EGGPLANT PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and arrange three racks evenly spaced.
• Lay the eggplant in one layer on three sheet pans and brush both sides with olive oil, using all the oil. Sprinkle with the oregano, crushing it lightly in your hands, then sprinkle with 1 1/2 tablespoons salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper. Bake for 15 minutes. Turn the slices and rotate the pans in the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, until tender. Leave the oven at 400 degrees F.
• In a 10 by 14 by 2-inch ceramic baking dish, spread a third of the marinara sauce. Arrange a third of the eggplant on top in one layer. Scatter a third of the basil, a third of the mozzarella, a third of the goat cheese, and a third of the Parmesan on top. Repeat twice, starting with the marinara and ending with the Parmesan, making sure each layer is evenly distributed.
• For the topping, place the bread crumbs, garlic, and basil in a food processor and pulse to combine. Add the 1/4 cup olive oil and 1 teaspoon salt and pulse to moisten the crumbs. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the dish.
• Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until bubbling and golden brown. Allow to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.

FOIL-PACK COAL-ROASTED VEGETABLES WITH FETA

Steps:

• Prepare a charcoal grill with a hot bed of coals for indirect cooking. The coals are ready when they are ashed over and glowing.
• Mix together 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, the oregano, smoked paprika and garlic in a large bowl. Add the carrots, peppers, corn, eggplant, potatoes and zucchini to the olive oil mixture and toss to combine, making sure each piece is fully coated with the marinade.
• Tear off eight 12-by-18-inch pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil and arrange them in stacks of 2 on a work surface (you should have 4 stacks). Divide the vegetables among the stacks, about 2 heaping cups per pouch.
• For each stack, bring the 2 long sides of the foil together and fold the edges over each other a few times to seal, leaving room around the vegetables for steam. Fold over the edges of the short sides to seal.
• Carefully spread the coals using a large pair of tongs, then add the foil packets and cover them with coals. Cover the grill with the lid and cook until the vegetables are tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a wooden skewer into each packet; it should easily slide all the way through the vegetables.
• Remove the foil packets to a heatproof work surface and let cool for 5 minutes before carefully opening. Use a spatula or a large spoon to transfer the contents to a platter. Sprinkle the vegetables with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
• Whisk together the lemon juice, zaatar, sumac, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon water and the remaining 5 tablespoons olive oil in a small bowl. Drizzle the dressing over the vegetables, making sure they are all well coated. Crumble the feta over the vegetables. Taste and add more salt or pepper, if needed.

ROASTED EGGPLANT WITH GARLIC AND HERBS

Steps:

• Put the eggplant pieces in a large colander and sprinkle all over with the 2 tablespoons kosher salt. Set in the sink to drain for about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Put a baking sheet in the oven to heat for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, peel and finely chop the shallot and garlic, and push to the side of the cutting board. Chop the parsley, then draw the shallots and garlic in with the herbs and chop them together, until finely chopped. Stir the aromatics and walnut oil together in a serving bowl.
• Toss the purged eggplant with the olive oil and pepper. Carefully remove the hot baking sheet from the oven and brush or drizzle with olive oil. Spread the eggplant out on the pan and return to the oven. Roast until the eggplant is tender yet firm and rich brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, toss with garlic and herbs. Serve right away or at room temperature.

CHARCOAL-ROASTED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Salt the open face of each eggplant half, set them on end and allow to drain at least a half-hour. Meanwhile, make a fire in a grill. Chiffonade the lemon balm leaves by stacking them, rolling them up and slicing the roll crosswise as thinly as possible. Separate.
• Rub the salt off the eggplants and cut slits lengthwise 1/2-inch apart on the opened halves. Do not cut through. Repeat crosswise to create a grid of 1/2-inch squares.
• Press about 2 tablespoons of the lemon balm into the slits of each eggplant half and drizzle 1 or 2 tablespoons of olive oil on top. Roast until the cubes are juicy and yield under light pressure, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, julienne the remaining cup of lemon balm and place in a bowl big enough to contain all the eggplants. When the eggplants are done, scoop the cubed flesh from their skins. Separate the cubes, if desired. Add the anchovies, capers, salt and pepper. Toss, chill and serve.