Emeril Lagasse Eggplant Food

EMERIL'S EGGPLANT, SAUSAGE, AND ZITI CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Lightly grease a 9 by 13-inch casserole dish and set aside.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1/4 cup of the oil.
• Add the eggplant in batches, seasoning on both sides with salt and pepper, and cook until golden, adding more oil as needed.
• Transfer to a plate as they cook, and set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• When hot but not smoking, add the onion and sausage, and cook, stirring, until the sausage is browned and the onion is soft, about 6 minutes.
• Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring frequently, until it begins to brown, about 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, their juices, the Italian seasoning, black olives, 1 teaspoon of salt, and the crushed red pepper.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and gently simmer, uncovered, until the flavors marry and the sauce slightly thickens, about 20 minutes.
• Remove from the heat.
• Add the basil and adjust seasoning, to taste.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and forms a light roux, about 2 minutes.
• Whisk in the milk and, whisking frequently, cook until the sauce is thickened and smooth, about 4 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and season with the nutmeg and salt and pepper, to taste.
• Arrange half of the eggplant slices on the bottom of the casserole, overlapping as necessary.
• Top with half of the cooked pasta, then half of the sausage-tomato sauce.
• Place another layer of eggplant slices on top of the sauce, then layers of pasta and sausage-tomato sauce.
• Pour on the white sauce, then top with the grated mozzarella and Parmesan.
• Bake for 1 hour, or until puffed and golden brown on top.

DEEP FRIED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Place the flour, egg, and bread crumbs each in 3 small bowls. Add the 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the egg and whisk to combine. Season the bread crumbs with the tablespoon of Essence and stir with a fork or your hands to thoroughly combine.
• Dredge each piece of eggplant in the flour, coating thoroughly and then shaking to remove any excess flour. Coat each piece with the egg, then dredge in the bread crumb mixture, pressing to make the bread crumbs adhere. Transfer the eggplant pieces to a rack or to paper towels to let them dry slightly before frying.
• In a deep, heavy skillet heat 1/2-inch of vegetable oil to 375 degrees F. Fry the eggplant pieces, in batches if necessary, for about 1 minute on each side, or until golden brown. Transfer with tongs to paper towels to drain. Sprinkle lightly with salt before serving. Serve with marinara sauce, or as desired.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

ROASTED EGGPLANT AND GARLIC SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine the garlic, herbs and drizzle of olive oil together. Season with salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly. Split the eggplant in half, lengthwise and smear the garlic mixture over the top of each eggplant half. Place the eggplant on a baking sheet and place in the oven. Roast the eggplant for 30 minutes or until the eggplant is tender. Remove from the oven and cool. Using a spoon, remove the flesh of the eggplant and discard the skin. Heat the oil in a 2 quart saucepan. When the oil is hot, add the onions. Saute for 2 minutes. Add the roasted eggplant and garlic and continue to saute for 2 minutes. Stir in the stock and bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Using a hand-held blender, puree the soup until smooth. Stir in the cream and continue to simmer for 3 minutes. Season the soup with the salt and the cayenne.

RATATOUILLE

Steps:

• Set a large 12-inch saute pan over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the onions and garlic to the pan. Cook the onions, stirring occasionally, until they are wilted and lightly caramelized, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the eggplant and thyme to the pan and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the eggplant is partially cooked, about 5 minutes. Add the green and red peppers, zucchini, and squash and continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, basil, parsley, and salt and pepper, to taste, and cook for a final 5 minutes. Stir well to blend and serve either hot or at room temperature.

EGGPLANT CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a large saute pan over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Add the eggplant and cook halfway through. Add red pepper, celery, and onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until vegetables begin to wilt. Add the basil leaves. Remove from heat. Add Parmesan, cream, bread crumbs and salt and pepper. Toss to combine.
• Place skillet in the oven and cook until heated through, about 20 minutes. Serve with grilled lamb chops.

EMERIL'S DELMONICO EGGPLANT CASSEROLE

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven 350 degrees F. Lightly grease 8 x 8-inch baking dish and set aside. Place eggplants in large pot, season with 1/4 teaspoon salt, cover with water by 1 inch and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat slightly and cook at a gentle boil until the eggplants are tender and very soft, about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and drain well, reserving 3 tablespoons of cooking liquid. Set aside.
• 2. Melt the butter in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the yellow onions, bell peppers, celery, garlic, and bay leaves and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and golden, about 10 minutes. Stir in the reserved 3 tablespoons eggplant cooking liquid and the tomatoes and their juices and allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5 minutes. Add the shrimp and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently to keep from sticking.
• 3. Add the chicken base, reserved eggplants, green onions, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper and cook for 2 minutes, stirring. Remove from the heat and discard the bay leaves.
• 4. Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish, sprinkle bread crumbs over the top.
• 5. Bake until the bread crumbs are lightly browned and the mixture is bubbly, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.