Eggplant Salsa And Homemade Pita Chips Food

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.

SESAME-EGGPLANT SALSA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Pierce eggplants all over with fork. Place on baking sheet. Roast in oven until eggplants are very soft and deflated, turning once, about 1 hour. Cool slightly.
• Cut eggplants in half; scrape flesh into strainer set over large bowl (do not allow bottom of strainer to touch bowl). Let eggplant drain 30 minutes. Transfer eggplant to processor. Using on/off turns, process until almost smooth.
• Heat vegetable oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3/4 cup green onions, ginger, garlic and chili-garlic sauce; sauté just until onions soften, about 45 seconds. Stir in brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar and lemon juice. Bring to simmer, stirring constantly. Mix in eggplant puree and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in tomatoes, 3/4 cup cilantro and sesame oil. Cool to room temperature. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to medium bowl. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
• Garnish eggplant salsa with 1 tablespoon each green onions and cilantro. Serve with Parmesan Pita Crisps.

EGGPLANT BRUSCHETTA WITH PITA CHIPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Cut flatbreads into 8 wedges. Place wedges into a large bowl and drizzle with 4 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle with black pepper and toss to coat. Place on an ungreased baking sheet and lightly top with feta cheese. Bake for 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
• Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
• Brush eggplant with 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Place on grill and cook for 2 minutes on each side or until tender. Remove from grill and dice. Add the eggplant to a bowl, stir in remaining ingredients, including 4 tablespoons of olive oil, and toss to combine. Serve with toasted pita chips.

PITA CHIPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Cut each pita bread into 8 triangles. Place triangles on lined cookie sheet.
• In a small bowl, combine the oil, pepper, salt, basil and chervil. Brush each triangle with oil mixture.
• Bake in the preheated oven for about 7 minutes, or until lightly browned and crispy. Watch carefully, as they tend to burn easily!

LINDA'S SUMMERTIME EGGPLANT SALSA

Steps:

• Toss the eggplant with the kosher salt and spread out onto a microwave-safe plate. Cook in the microwave on High until the eggplant is dry and has shriveled to 1/3 of its original size, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
• Whisk the tomato juice cocktail, vinegar, red wine, brown sugar, parsley, and anchovies together in a large bowl. Stir in the tomatoes, raisins, black olives, green olives, zucchini, yellow squash, celery, red bell pepper, and carrot; set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the eggplant and cook, stirring occasionally, until the edges have browned, 4 to 8 minutes. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil along with the celery and onion. Cook and stir until the onion has softened, about 4 minutes more. Stir in the vegetable mixture and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered until the liquid thickens and begins to coat the vegetables, 4 to 7 minutes more. Scrape into a bowl and stir in the pine nuts. Refrigerate to room temperature. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese and serve.

FRUIT SALSA WITH CINNAMON PITA CHIPS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, thoroughly mix the fruit and fruit preserves.
• Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Mix the sugar and cinnamon in a bowl large enough that you can dredge the pita chips.
• For thinner pita chips split each pita round in half so that you have two pita circles.
• Spray each side of the chip with butter flavored cooking spray (I Can't Believe it's not Butter in the butter section of the grocery store is zero calories).
• Stack 4 pitas at a time and cut them into chip size with the pizza cutter or a sharp knife.
• Put chips in the bowl a few at a time and dredge them in the cinnamon sugar.
• Place chip on baking dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven 8 to 10 minutes.
• Allow to cool and serve with fruit salad.