Eggplant Bruschetta With Pita Chips Food

CHUNKY EGGPLANT BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, toss the eggplant with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper. Arrange the eggplant on a half sheet tray lined with parchment paper. Reserve the bowl. Put it in the oven and bake until nicely charred, about 15 to 20 minutes.
• In a large saute pan over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the red pepper flakes and the garlic. Cook until the garlic browns, about for 1 to 2 minutes, then add the onion. Cook until onion softens, about 3 to 4 minutes more. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
• Remove the eggplant from the oven and transfer it back to same bowl it was tossed in prior to baking. Add the onion mixture, the olives, capers, and roasted red peppers. Toss to combine. Add the sherry vinegar, fresh parsley and oregano and toss until the ingredients are evenly distributed. Cover and refrigerate for 25 to 30 minutes to cool and marry the flavors.
• In a small bowl, combine the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper, to taste, and the smoky paprika. Spread the oil mixture on both sides of each piece of bread. Heat a grill pan over high heat and toast the bread until grill marks form, flipping once. Remove the eggplant from the refrigerator and spoon about 2 heaping tablespoons on top of each piece of bread. Serve.

GRILLED EGGPLANT BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Place the eggplant in a colander. Sprinkle generously with salt and let stand 30 minutes. (This removes the excess water from the eggplant.) Rinse the eggplant and arrange in a single layer on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Pat dry. Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill to medium-high heat (see Cook's Note).
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Brush the eggplant and bread slices with 3 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle the eggplant with salt and pepper.
• Line a small rimmed baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil and coat with nonstick cooking spray. Toss the grape tomatoes, vinegar, honey and the remaining tablespoon olive oil on the foil. Bake the tomatoes until they burst, about 6 minutes.
• Meanwhile, grill the eggplant until browned and tender, 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Grill the bread until toasted and grill marks appear, 1 minute on each side. Rub the cut sides of the garlic on the bread. Set aside.
• Transfer the tomatoes to a medium bowl. Coarsely chop the eggplant and add to the tomatoes. Add the chopped basil, then season with salt and pepper.
• Spoon the ricotta onto the grilled bread. Top with the eggplant mixture and garnish with additional basil. Cut the bread in half, if desired.

BRUSCHETTA WITH EGGPLANT AND PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler.
• Heat oil in saute pan over medium heat, until smoking. Add onion and cook until soft, about 10 minutes. Add the eggplant. Stir regularly until soft. Add peppers and cook until soft. Add the vinegar. Remove from heat and cool. Add basil, and season with salt and pepper.
• Rub bread with garlic cloves and olive oil. Toast bread on both sides in a preheated 400-degree oven for about 10 to 15 minutes. Top with heap of eggplant mixture.

EGGPLANT CHIPS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat; coat generously with cooking spray. Slice a firm Japanese eggplant 1/16 to 1/8 inch thick using a mandoline. Arrange on the baking sheet in a single layer; coat the eggplant with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt. Bake at 250 degrees F, 50 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through. Flip the slices; continue baking until browned, about 20 more minutes. Transfer the chips to a rack to cool.

EGGPLANT BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• In a 1- to 12 inch saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium high heat until smoking. Add the onion and cook until just softened, 6 to 7 minutes. Add the eggplant and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and golden brown, about 7 minutes. Removed from the heat, season with salt and pepper, and allow to cool.
• Meanwhile, preheat the grill or broiler.
• Toast the bread on the grill or under the broiler until golden brown on both sides.
• Stir the parsley into the eggplant mixture, spoon the mixture onto the toasts, and serve.