Eggplant And Tomato Confit Food

ROASTED EGGPLANTS AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Line a heavy large baking sheet with foil. Cut cross-hatch marks over the cut side of the eggplants. Arrange the eggplants and the Roma tomatoes cut side up on the prepared baking sheet. Brush with 2 tablespoons of oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Whisk 2 tablespoons of oil, 2 teaspoons of garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon of oregano in a small bowl to blend. Stir in the diced tomatoes. Season with salt. Spoon the oil mixture over the eggplants. Sprinkle the eggplants with salt and pepper.
• Stir the bread crumbs, remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, 2 teaspoons of garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon of oregano in another small bowl to blend. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the Roma tomatoes.
• Bake until the vegetables are tender and the bread crumb topping is brown, about 30 minutes.

EGGPLANT AND TOMATO CONFIT

Steps:

• Roast the eggplant, allow to cool and cut into 1-inch dice.
• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy nonstick skillet and add the onions. Cook stirring, until they soften, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and stir together for another minute, until the garlic begins to smell fragrant. Stir in the tomatoes, eggplant, sugar, anchovies, thyme, basil sprig (but not the slivered basil), salt, and pepper. Stir together and bring to a simmer. Turn the heat to very low, cover, and cook, stirring from time to time, for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until the mixture has cooked down to a thick, fragrant mixture. Pull out the basil sprig. Taste and adjust seasonings. Sprinkle the slivered basil over the top. Serve hot or at room temperature, as a starter, a side dish, or as a topping for polenta, rice, bruschetta or pasta.

SPICY RED-PEPPER AND EGGPLANT CONFIT

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 400°F.
• Cut peppers into 1-inch pieces. Toss together all ingredients in a large roasting pan, then spread evenly. Roast, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are very tender, about 1 hour. Cool before serving.