Eggplant With Marinated Feta Food

EASY GREEK-STYLE EGGPLANT RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place eggplant cubes in a colander over a large bowl or directly over your sink, and sprinkle with salt. Set aside for 20 minutes or so to allow eggplant to "sweat out" any bitterness. Rinse with water and pat dry.
• In a large braiser, heat 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil over medium-high until shimmering but not smoking. Add onions, peppers, and chopped carrot. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring regularly, then add garlic, bay leaf, spices, and a dash of salt. Cook another minute, stirring until fragrant.
• Now add eggplant, chopped tomato, chickpeas, and reserved chickpea liquid. Stir to combine.
• Bring to a rolling boil for 10 minutes or so. Stir often. Remove from stove top, cover and transfer to oven.
• Cook in oven for 45 minutes until eggplant is fully cooked through to very tender. (While eggplant is braising, be sure to check once or twice to see if more liquid is needed. If so, remove from oven briefly and stir in about 1/2 cup of water at a time.)
• When eggplant is ready, remove from oven and add a generous drizzle of Private Reserve EVOO, garnish with fresh herbs (parsley or mint). Serve hot or at room temperature with a side of Greek yogurt or even Tzatziki sauce and pita bread.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH MARINATED FETA

Steps:

• Slice 2 eggplants 1/2 inch thick; lay on paper towels, sprinkle with salt and let sit 10 minutes, then pat dry. Heat 1/4 cup olive oil with 1 grated garlic clove in a saucepan, 1 minute. Stir in 1 tablespoon each chopped oregano and parsley, 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Let cool; pour over 4 ounces crumbled feta. Brush the eggplant with olive oil; grill over medium-high heat, 5 minutes per side. Top with the feta.

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.

GRILLED EGGPLANT-FETA STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium. Prepare the chicken: With your knife parallel to the cutting board, slice each chicken breast in half horizontally without cutting all the way through; open like a book. Cover with plastic wrap and pound until 1/2 inch thick.
• Make the filling: Whisk 1/4 cup olive oil, the harissa, cumin and a pinch each of salt and pepper in a bowl. Brush the eggplant with some of the harissa oil. Brush the grill grates with olive oil. Grill the eggplant until tender, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Meanwhile, mix the bulgur, tomato, feta, parsley, mint, lemon juice and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a separate bowl; season with salt and pepper.
• Season the pounded chicken on both sides with salt and pepper and brush with half of the remaining harissa oil; top with the eggplant and bulgur mixture, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Roll up the chicken toward the pointy end; tie with 3 pieces of kitchen twine. Brush with the remaining harissa oil.
• Grill the chicken breasts, turning, until cooked through, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes, then remove the twine and slice.

GRIDDLED MARINATED EGGPLANT WITH FETA AND HERBS

Steps:

• Heat a griddle or frying pan until very hot.
• Brush the egggplant with a little oil and griddle or fry in batches until soft and cooked through.
• Arrange eggplant on a platter.
• Mix together the lemon and garlic with 5 tbsp olive oil and some seasoning, and drizzle over the aubergine.
• Let the flavors meld together for 5 minutes, then scatter the feta and herbs over and serve.

BAKED EGGPLANT WITH FETA CHEESE

Steps:

• Wash the eggplants and remove stems. Cut lengthwise into 1/2 inch slices. Fry lightly (until soft and gently browned) in 1/4 inch of oil.
• Preheat the oven to 355°F (180°C).
• Layer the eggplant in the bottom of a baking dish.
• Combine the tomatoes, basil, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste, in a bowl, and spoon the mixture over the eggplant. Top with feta cheese, and bake at 355°F (180°C) for 45 minutes.
• Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.