Eggplant With Bell Pepper Feta And Green Olives Food

ROASTED EGGPLANT AND BELL PEPPER SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute until browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Add remaining olive oil to the skillet; add eggplant and bell pepper. Saute until starting to soften, about 5 minutes. Add tomato, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper; cook 2 to 3 minutes more. Return sauteed onion to the skillet. Adjust seasonings if necessary. Transfer eggplant mixture to a baking pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Cool before serving, about 1 hour.

GRILLED EGGPLANT AND PEPPERS WITH FETA

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Place eggplant and all bell peppers into a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat. Sprinkle with steak seasoning; coat well.
• Place eggplant and bell pepper slices directly on the preheated grill. Cook until eggplant is softened, marked, and slightly charred and peppers are softened and marked, 15 to 20 minutes, turning every 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce heat as necessary to prevent burning.
• Remove from grill. Arrange in 4 piles, starting with a slice of eggplant and alternating eggplant and pepper slices, including one slice of each bell pepper color in each pile. Top with feta cheese. Sprinkle with basil and oregano. Serve warm.

EGGPLANT AND PEPPERS WITH FETA

Steps:

• Place the eggplant slices on a wire rack and sprinkle them lightly with salt on both sides. Set the rack aside until the eggplant begins to "sweat," usually 15 to 20 minutes. Blot the eggplant dry with clean paper towels.
• Arrange the eggplant and all the bell pepper slices on a large baking sheet, and brush both sides of all the pieces with the olive oil. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Transfer the eggplant and peppers to the grill, in batches if necessary, and cook, turning them occasionally to promote even browning, until they are softened and nicely marked, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Transfer the grilled eggplant slices to a large platter, and top them with the pepper strips. Garnish with the crumbled feta and minced marjoram. Drizzle with the olive oil and lemon juice, and serve either warm or at room temperature.

ROASTED RED BELL PEPPERS WITH EGGPLANT (FUNGHETTO)

Steps:

• For the peppers: Place an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Spray a small baking dish or baking sheet with vegetable oil cooking spray. Arrange the peppers, cut side-up, on the baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil. Bake until the peppers are tender but still holding their shape, about 20 minutes.
• For the eggplant: Heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a 12-inch nonstick skillet. Add the eggplant in batches and cook, stirring frequently, until golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain on paper towels and season with salt.
• For the filling: Combine the cooked eggplant, tomato-basil sauce, olives, capers, salt and pepper in a 12-inch nonstick skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, about 8 minutes.
• For the topping: In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and Parmesan.
• Preheat the broiler.
• Spoon the filling into the bell peppers and sprinkle the topping over the filling. Drizzle with the olive oil and broil until a golden crust forms, 2 to 3 minutes.

ORZO WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Toss the eggplant, bell peppers, onion, and garlic with the olive oil, salt, and pepper on a large sheet pan. Roast for 40 minutes, until browned, turning once with a spatula.
• Meanwhile, cook the orzo in boiling salted water for 7 to 9 minutes, until tender. Drain and transfer to a large serving bowl. Add the roasted vegetables to the pasta, scraping all the liquid and seasonings from the roasting pan into the pasta bowl.
• For the dressing, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper and pour on the pasta and vegetables. Let cool to room temperature, then add the scallions, pignolis, feta, and basil. Check the seasonings, and serve at room temperature.

EGGPLANT WITH MARINATED FETA

Steps:

• Toss 2 Japanese eggplants (cut into 2-inch pieces) with 1 cup grape tomatoes, 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon each kosher salt and pepper. Bake at 500˚ F, turning once, until tender, 12 to 14 minutes, then broil until charred, 3 to 4 minutes. Mix 3 ounces diced feta, 2 tablespoons each olive oil and lemon juice, 1 tablespoon chopped oregano, 1 sliced garlic clove and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Serve over the eggplant mixture.

EGGPLANT SALAD WITH PEPPERS, MINT AND CAPER-FETA VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Whisk together the oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
• Toss eggplant with 1/3 cup vinaigrette, reserving the rest. Arrange on a baking sheet. Bake, tossing occasionally, until tender and golden around edges, about 30 minutes. Let eggplant cool somewhat. (It can be warm but not hot enough to melt feta or wilt mint.)
• Whisk feta, garlic and capers into reserved vinaigrette. In a large bowl, combine eggplant, peppers, tomatoes and mint leaves. Toss with vinaigrette, and serve immediately or within several hours. (It holds up all day.)

FETA-STUFFED EGGPLANT ROLLS WITH SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Cut eggplant lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices and arrange 6 center slices on an oiled baking sheet in one layer, reserving remaining eggplant for another use. Brush eggplant with oil and season with salt.
• Broil eggplant about 3 inches from heat until golden, about 5 minutes. Carefully turn eggplant with a metal spatula and broil until golden, about 4 minutes more. Transfer eggplant to a platter large enough to hold slices in one layer and cool. (Eggplant may be prepared up to this point 3 hours ahead and kept, covered loosely, at room temperature.)
• In a small bowl with a fork mash together feta, ricotta, mint, and salt and pepper to taste. Cut peppers lengthwise into pieces about same width as eggplant slices.
• Assemble rolls:
• Top eggplant slices with pepper pieces, arranging them in one layer. Put 1 tablespoon cheese mixture near narrow end of each slice and into it gently press 4 or 5 arugula or spinach leaves so that they stick out on both sides. Beginning with cheese end, roll up each slice to enclose cheese mixture and leaves. (Rolls may be made 2 hours ahead and kept, covered loosely, at room temperature.)
• Serve rolls drizzled with salsa verde.

PENNE WITH EGGPLANT, OLIVES AND FETA CHEESE

Steps:

• Brush 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish with 2 tablespoons oil. Heat remaining 6 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers, garlic and crushed pepper; sauté 3 minutes. Add eggplant and oregano. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover; cook until eggplant softens, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Mix in tomatoes with juices, 1/2 cup basil, olives, tomato paste and vinegar. Cover; simmer until all vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite; drain well. Stir pasta into vegetable mixture. Transfer to prepared dish. Cover dish with foil. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Refrigerate.)
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake pasta covered until heated through, about 20 minutes (40 minutes if refrigerated). Sprinkle with feta, then 1/2 cup basil.

EGGPLANT AND RED PEPPER BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Mix red bell pepper, onion, and garlic in a large mixing bowl; season with basil, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the pepper mixture; toss to coat the vegetables evenly.
• Brush eggplant slices with olive oil to coat thinly.
• Spread about 1/3 of the pepper mixture into the bottom of a square glass baking dish; top with a layer of about 1/3 of the eggplant. Repeat layering twice more. Top final layer with mozzarella cheese.
• Bake in preheated oven until the cheese is browned and the vegetables are bubbling, 35 to 40 minutes.

EGGPLANT AND PEPPERS WITH FETA

Steps:

• Place eggplant on a wire rack and sprinkle with salt on both sides. Set aside until eggplant begins to "sweat", about 15 to 20 minutes. Blot eggplant with clean paper towels.
• Preheat grill to medium-high. Arrange eggplant and bell pepper slices on a large baking sheet, and brush both sides of all pieces with olive oil. Season with kosher salt and black pepper.
• Transfer eggplant and peppers to the grill or place in a grill basket. You may need to cook them in batches. Cook, turning occasionally to promote even browning, until softened and nicely marked, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Transfer eggplant to a platter and top with the pepper strips. Garnish with feta and marjoram (or spice of your choice). Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice. Serve warm or at room temperature. You can use this as a side dish, or in a pita as a sandwich.

EGGPLANT STEAKS WITH SALAD OF ROASTED PEPPERS, OLIVES, FETA AND GARBANZO BEANS

Steps:

• Char bell peppers over gas flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides. Enclose in bag; let stand 10 minutes. Peel and seed peppers. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Transfer to large bowl. Add beans, olives, cheese and chopped oregano; toss to combine. Season salad with salt and pepper.
• Whisk vinegar, garlic and soy sauce in small bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Season dressing with salt and pepper.
• Preheat broiler. Cut six 1/2-inch-thick lengthwise slices from center of eggplant. Arrange eggplant on baking sheet. Brush both sides of eggplant with some of dressing. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil until golden, about 2 minutes per side.
• Place 1 eggplant slice on each plate. Spoon salad over. Drizzle with dressing. Garnish with oregano. Serve with pita.

FLATBREAD WITH EGGPLANT, PEPPERS AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Place the bell peppers and eggplant on a baking sheet and roast, turning several times to cook evenly, until peppers are blistered and blackened all over and the skin of the eggplant is wrinkled and shriveled, about 45 minutes.
• Transfer the peppers and eggplant to a plate, cover and set aside until cool enough to handle, about 15 minutes.
• Peel the charred skins off the roasted vegetables. Slice each bell pepper in half lengthwise and discard the seeds, ribs and stems. Cut the peppers and egglannt into thin strips.
• DOUGH:.
• In a bowl, sift together the flour, salt and baking powder.
• Make a well in the flour and add the olive oil and egg yolk.
• Gradually add the water, mixing the wet ingredients into the flour little by little with a wooden spoon.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board and knead until soft, smooth and elastic, about 1 minute.
• Form the dough into a ball and place in a large, lightly oiled bowl.
• Cover with a moist towel and let stand in a warm place until the dough rises slightly, about 30 minutes.
• In another large bowl, combine the eggplant and bell pepper strips with the garlic and olives, and season generously with salt and pepper.
• Lightly oil a 12 X 9 inch rimmed baking sheet.
• On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough into a rectangle to fit the pan.
• Press into the prepared pan and trim away any excess dough.
• Cover the dough base with the tomato slices, drizzle 2 Tbs. of the olive oil over the tomatoe slices. Arrange the eggplant mixture evenly over the tomatoes and drizzle with remaining olive oil.
• Bake at 450 degrees F until the edges are begining to brown, about 25 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
• Cut into squares and serve warm.

PASTA WITH EGGPLANT, CAPERS, AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Toss eggplant with salt in a colander set in a large bowl, then let drain, tossing occasionally, 1 hour.
• While eggplant drains, rinse capers in a sieve and transfer to a small bowl. Cover capers with water by 2 inches and soak 30 minutes. Drain, then repeat soaking. Drain and rinse capers, then squeeze dry and coarsely chop.
• Roast bell pepper on rack of a gas burner over moderately high heat, turning with tongs, until skin is blackened, about 5 minutes. (Or broil pepper on a broiler pan about 5 inches from heat, turning occasionally, about 15 minutes.) Transfer to a bowl, then cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let pepper steam 10 minutes.
• When cool enough to handle, peel pepper and discard seeds, stem, and ribs. Pat pepper dry and purée in a blender until smooth.
• Rinse eggplant and pat dry thoroughly. Heat vegetable oil in a 4-quart pot over high heat until it registers 375°F on thermometer. Fry one third of eggplant, stirring gently, until just golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Fry remaining eggplant in 2 batches, returning oil to 375°F between batches.
• Pulse together olives, basil, mint, parsley, marjoram, and 2 garlic cloves in a food processor until finely chopped.
• Finely chop remaining garlic clove and cook in olive oil along with anchovy in a 5-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring, until anchovy dissolves and garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Increase heat to moderate and stir in pepper purée, then cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in olive mixture, capers, and wine and cook, stirring, until wine is evaporated, about 1 minute. Stir in eggplant (sauce will be very thick) and remove from heat. Keep warm, covered.
• Cook pasta in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until al dente, then drain and stir into sauce. Season with salt.
• *Available at specialty foods shops and chefshop.com.