Eggplant With Honey Crispy Garlic And Ricotta Food

GARLIC AND HERB EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Toss the eggplant in a large colander with a generous sprinkle of salt. Set the colander over a bowl to drain and top with a second bowl filled with water or a few heavy cans to press the liquid out of the eggplant. Set aside for at least 1 hour or up to 3 hours.
• Spread the eggplant out onto a baking sheet or large cutting board and pat dry with paper towels.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add half of the eggplant and half of the pepper flakes and cook, stirring occasionally until tender and lightly browned, about 7 minutes. Add half of the garlic and continue to cook until the garlic is soft, about 1 minute. Remove from the skillet to a bowl. Repeat with the remaining oil, eggplant, crushed red pepper and garlic. Off the heat, add the reserved eggplant back to the skillet, stir in the parsley and mint and season with salt and pepper.

PAN-FRIED EGGPLANT WITH CHILE, HONEY AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Sprinkle eggplant lightly with fine sea salt, and let sit while you heat the skillet.
• Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium. When hot, add oil and heat until shimmering. Pat eggplant dry if necessary, then arrange in a single layer in the skillet (cooking them in batches if necessary to prevent crowding). Fry until softened and golden brown on all sides, turning them often, about 9 to 15 minutes total.
• Transfer eggplant as it cooks to a paper towel-lined plate, and sprinkle very lightly with more fine sea salt.
• When all the eggplant is cooked, reduce heat under pan to low and add garlic and a little more oil; cook until just golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to the paper towel-lined plate next to the eggplant.
• Spread ricotta on a serving plate. Top with fried eggplant and garlic. Drizzle with honey, sprinkle with red pepper flakes, flaky sea salt and basil. Serve immediately, with lemon or lime wedges on the side if you like.

EGGPLANT BAKED WITH TOMATOES AND RICOTTA SALATA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Use a little of the oil to brush the bottom of an oblong baking dish, like a lasagna pan, 9 by 13 inches. Snip off any stems from the eggplants but keep the leaves on. Quarter the eggplants vertically and place them skin side down in the baking dish. Brush the cut sides with oil, about a tablespoon. Season with salt and pepper. Place in the oven and bake 30 minutes.
• Remove from the oven, but keep oven on. Place the eggplant quarters on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut away the flesh, quite close to the skin. Dice the flesh, then chop it fine, by hand or in a food processor. But don't let it become a purée.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a heavy skillet. Add the ham and sauté on medium until it barely starts to brown. Add the garlic and oregano, sauté another 30 seconds, then add the tomatoes. Cook on medium-high until any juices from the tomatoes begin to reduce, about 5 minutes. Stir in the eggplant. Season with salt, black pepper and Espelette. Stir in 1/2 tablespoon of the remaining oil.
• Top the eggplant skins with this mixture, mounding it up a bit. Return eggplants to the baking dish. Top each with the cheese and drizzle with remaining oil. Bake 20 minutes, until eggplants start to sizzle and cheese has softened - it won't melt. Serve at once or let cool and serve at room temperature.