Eggplant Stuffed With Ricotta And Ham Food

EGGPLANT ROLLATINI

Steps:

• Dip the eggplant slices in egg, then coat with bread crumbs. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the eggplant on each side until golden brown. Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Spread a thin layer of ricotta cheese onto each slice of eggplant. Place a slice of prosciutto onto each one. Roll up tightly, and place seam side down in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Pour spaghetti sauce over the rolls, and top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
• While the eggplant rolls are baking, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the angel hair pasta, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until tender. Drain. Serve eggplant rolls and sauce over pasta.

EGGPLANT STUFFED WITH RICOTTA AND HAM

Steps:

• Set the oven at 400 degrees. Have on hand a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
• Halve the eggplant lengthwise. Place them in the baking dish, cut sides up. Sprinkle generously with oil and salt. Bake for 20 minutes. Leave to cool.
• With a teaspoon, scoop out the eggplant flesh. Chop it coarsely; transfer to a bowl.
• In a skillet, heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. When it is hot, add the shallot, coriander, and thyme. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to cook for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring often, for 4 minutes.
• Stir in the eggplant flesh. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for 7 minutes or until the mixture is pulpy and well flavored. Discard the bay leaf and thyme. Leave to cool slightly.
• Lower the oven temperature to 375 degrees.
• Stir the ricotta, pecorino, cilantro, ham, egg, salt, and pepper into the eggplant mixture. Fill the eggplant shells with the stuffing.
• Return the shells to the baking dish. Sprinkle with olive oil and add the water to the dish. Bake the eggplant for 45 minutes or until the shells are tender when pierced with a skewer.

RICOTTA-STUFFED ROLLED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• Set oven to 350°F.
• Spray three baking sheets, and one 13 x 9-inch baking dish with non stick cooking spray.
• Place flour in a shallow dish.
• In another dish place the slightly beaten eggs.
• In another dish mix together breadcrumbs with 1 cup Parmesan cheese (you should have three separate dishes).
• Season eggplant slices with salt and pepper.
• Coat each slice with flour, then in eggs, then in the breadcrumb mixture.
• Arrange the eggplant slices in a single layer on baking sheets.
• Bake the eggplant slices in three batches until the coating is golden, about 30 minutes (turning after 15 minutes) cool on the sheets.
• In a bowl combine ricotta cheese, 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese, 1-1/4 cups Parmesan cheese, 1 egg yolk and 1 teaspoon dried basil; mix well to combine then season with salt and black pepper to taste (if you are a garlic-lover then you may add in 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder if desired).
• Spread about 3-4 tablespoons ricotta filling evenly on the eggplant slices.
• Starting at the short end, roll up the slices with the filling inside.
• Arrange the eggplant slices seam-side down into prepared baking dish.
• At this point you can cover and refrigerate the eggplant slices for up to 24 hours.
• Set oven to 350°F.
• Spoon the tomato sauce over the rolled slices, and sprinkle with about 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
• Bake uncovered until the rolls are heated through and the mozzarella cheese inside the eggplant rolls melts (about 20-22 minutes).

EGGPLANT ROLL-UPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Cut eggplants lengthwise into eighteen 1/4-in.-thick slices; reserve leftover pieces. Line 2 baking sheets with foil. Coat both sides of eggplant slices with cooking spray; place in a single layer on prepared pans. Sprinkle eggplant with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bake until just pliable (do not soften completely), 10-12 minutes; cool slightly. , Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, bring 1/2 in. of water to a boil. Add spinach; cover and boil 2-3 minutes or until wilted. Drain spinach and squeeze dry. Chop spinach and set aside., Finely chop leftover eggplant to measure 1 cup (discard remaining or save for another use). In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add chopped eggplant; cook and stir until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in tomatoes, puree, basil, sugar, oregano, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 8-10 minutes or until flavors are blended., Spread 1 cup sauce into a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. In a small bowl, combine filling ingredients and spinach. Place a rounded tablespoon of filling on the wide end of each eggplant slice; carefully roll up. Place roll-ups over sauce, seam side down. Top with 1-1/2 cups sauce. In a small bowl, mix Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs; sprinkle over top. Bake until heated through and bubbly, 20-25 minutes. Serve with remaining sauce and, if desired, sprinkle with parsley.