Eggplant Gazpacho Food

AUTHENTIC GAZPACHO RECIPE

Steps:

• Wash and dry all of the vegetables very well-if you prefer to peel the tomatoes you can, although I usually leave the skin on.
• Cut the tomatoes into 4 slices (leaving the core behind) and put into your blender.
• Halve, core, and de-seed the pepper. Cut it into a few slices and add to the blender.
• Peel the garlic and slice it in half. Remove the core (which often results in bitterness when not cooked).
• Cut the onion into a few slices and add it to the blender too.
• Peel the cucumber and cut it in half. Add half to the blender and save the other half for a topping.
• Blend the vegetables at a high speed until it is completely pureed.
• Add the salt and vinegar and, while blending on a slow speed, slowly add the olive oil.
• Taste and adjust salt and vinegar. If the texture is too thick for your liking add some cold water.
• Refrigerate and serve VERY cold! Add as many (or as few) toppings as you like.

EGGPLANT CAPONATA PASTA WITH RICOTTA AND BASIL

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the raisins, sugar, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 cup water to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat and let cook about 2 minutes, then cover and set aside.
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1/4 cup olive oil over medium-high. Stir in half the eggplant to coat evenly in the oil, season generously with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and browned in spots, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. (Eggplant should brown and tenderize but still maintain its shape.) Heat another 1/4 cup oil, then add remaining eggplant; season and repeat.
• While the eggplant cooks, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain pasta. (You might not use all the pasta water.)
• Add another 2 tablespoons oil to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium. Cook the shallot, pine nuts, capers, garlic and red-pepper flakes, stirring frequently, until the shallot is tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with the eggplant, along with the sliced basil and vinegar.
• Strain the soaked raisins, discarding the soaking liquid, then add the raisins to the eggplant mixture and toss to coat. Season generously with salt and pepper. The mixture should taste quite aggressively salty and tangy, but it will mellow when tossed with pasta and ricotta. (Eggplant mixture can be made in advance and refrigerated for up to 2 days.)
• Add eggplant mixture, pasta and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to the pot. Toss to coat over medium heat until eggplant is warmed, adding extra pasta water if necessary. Divide among shallow bowls, top with ricotta and additional torn basil and serve immediately. Pass with additional olive oil for drizzling, if desired.

EGGPLANT GAZPACHO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 F. Drizzle cut side of each eggplant half with 1 Tbsp. oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place eggplant, cut side down, on rimmed baking sheet. Roast until very tender, about 1½ hours. Cool. Discard large seed pockets. Scoop flesh into bowl; discard skins. Set eggplant aside. Place tomatoes in processor; using on/off turns, process to coarse puree. Strain pureed tomatoes into large bowl and press on solids in strainer to measure 1½ cups tomato juice aside. Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic; sauté until onions are golden brown, about 25 minutes. Add cumin and cayenne pepper; stir 1 minute. Add yogurt, lemon juice, and tahini; stir, scraping up browned bits. Remove from heat. Stir in eggplant. Place half of eggplant mixture into blender. With blender running, gradually add ¾ cup tomato juice, then 1 cup water. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until cold at least 2 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated. Divide chilled gazpacho among bowls. Drizzle gazpacho with extra-virgin olive oil and serve. *Sold at some supermarkets and at natural foods stores and Middle Eastern markets.

EGGPLANT BREAD

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for high heat. Pierce the eggplant a few times with a fork or knife. Place on the grill, cover, and cook the eggplant, turning every 8 to 10 minutes, until completely charred on all sides and the flesh is soft when pressed, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and cool slightly for 10 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray an 8 1/2-inch-by-4 1/2-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
• Remove the eggplant to a cutting board and squeeze gently to crack the skin so the flesh is exposed. Use a spoon to remove the flesh into a colander set over a bowl (you should have about 1 1/3 cups of flesh). Let it sit for 10 minutes to remove some of the moisture. Transfer the flesh to a large bowl. Add the vegetable oil, vanilla and eggs to the bowl and whisk until well combined.
• Whisk the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda and kosher salt in a medium bowl. Add the flour mixture to the eggplant mixture and fold with a rubber spatula until everything is combined. Fold in 1 cup of the pistachios. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few crumbs sticking to it, 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes.
• Let cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack. Flip the pan over to remove the bread and let cool completely on a wire rack, 40 to 50 minutes.
• Whisk the confectioners' sugar, butter, honey and 1 teaspoon water in a small bowl until smooth and thick. Spread the frosting on top of the bread, then sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup pistachios and the flakey sea salt.

GOCHUJANG-GLAZED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Halve 4 to 5 Japanese eggplants lengthwise and crosswise. Brush with vegetable oil. Place flesh-side down on a foil-lined baking sheet; bake at 400˚ F until tender, 15 minutes. Whisk 2 tablespoons each soy sauce, gochujang and honey, 1 teaspoon each toasted sesame oil and minced garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Brush glaze on the eggplants; broil until charred, 4 minutes. Brush with the remaining glaze; top with sliced scallions and sesame seeds.

ROASTED GAZPACHO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F Combine the tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, onions, garlic, and olive oil in a large roasting pan and roast, stirring occasionally, until the eggplant is tender, about 30 minutes.
• Put the mixture into a bowl and add the vinegar, salt, pepper, water, and bread. Refrigerate and allow to cool for several hours or overnight.
• Pour the mixture into a food processor or blender. You can put it through a food mill or strainer to remove any remaining solids.
• Check seasoning, garnish and serve.