Giadas Everyday Caponata Food

GIADA'S EVERYDAY CAPONATA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat.
• Add the celery and saute for about 2 minutes. Add the eggplant and saute for 2 minutes. Add the onions and saute for about 3 minutes. Add the red pepper and saute for about 5 minutes.
• Add the diced tomatoes and their juice, raisins and oregano. Simmer over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes. The mixture should thicken.
• Stir in the vinegar, sugar, capers, and the salt and pepper. Season with more salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve at room temperature, garnished with fresh basil leaves.

CLASSIC CAPONATA

Steps:

• Cut the eggplant into 3/4" cubes. Toss with 1 Tbsp. salt and mix together with your hands; place in a colander and let drain over a bowl for 30-40 minutes.
• Thinly slice the onion and brown in a pan with 1/4 cup oil over low heat, for around 10 minutes.
• Cut the tomatoes into wedges and remove the center section and seeds. Cut into strips. Slice the celery heart (the light, tender part in the center) and chop the leaves. Rinse the capers well under running water.
• Add the tomatoes and the celery to the pan with the onions and, after 5 minutes, add the olives, capers and pine nuts.
• Gently squeeze the eggplant, transfer to paper towels and dry well; heat extra-virgin olive oil (2" deep) in a shallow pan and fry the eggplant in small batches for 7-8 minutes or until golden. Remove with a skimmer and add to the pan with the onions.
• Cook for 2-3 minutes, then add torn basil leaves, vinegar, 1 Tbsp. sugar and, if necessary, a pinch of salt; increase the heat and let vinegar evaporate, then remove from heat and let cool for at least 2 hours before serving. Ideally, prepare a day in advance.

EGGPLANT CAPONATA

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup of the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the celery and saute until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Add the eggplant and saute until beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Season with salt. Add the red pepper and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add the onion and saute until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes with their juices, raisins, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Simmer over medium-low heat until the flavors blend and the mixture thickens, stirring often, about 20 minutes. Add the vinegar, sugar, and capers. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Use as a filling for sandwiches, a topping to bruschetta or pizza, or as a side dish for chicken, pork or seafood. Store in the refrigerator covered for up to one week.

GREEK CAPONATA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Pour the canned tomatoes into a 3 1/2-quart baking dish and spread to cover the bottom. In a large bowl combine the remaining ingredients (excluding the bread). Toss to coat. Pour the vegetables over the canned tomatoes in an even layer. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until the edges of the vegetables are golden, about 30 to 40 minutes.
• Serve alone as a side, or over toasted sourdough bread for a main dish.

CAPONATA PICNIC SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup of the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the celery and saute until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Add the eggplant and saute until beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Season with salt. Add the red pepper and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add the onion and saute until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes with their juices, raisins, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Simmer over medium-low heat until the flavors blend and the mixture thickens, stirring often, about 20 minutes. Add the vinegar, sugar, and capers. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Cut the bread pieces horizontally in half. Grill the bread cut-side down on a grill pan over medium-high heat until golden, about 2 minutes. Rub the whole garlic cloves over the toasted side of the bread. Add a slice of mozzarella to bread bottom, spoon the caponata on top, cover with the other bread half, and serve.
• To take for a picnic: Wrap the sandwiches separately in plastic wrap or parchment paper. Chill until ready to serve, or keep at room temperature up to 1 hour.

GIADA'S PORTOBELLA PARMESAN

Steps:

• Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill.
• Drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil over both sides of the mushrooms, coating well. Sprinkle the mushrooms with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes if using, and salt and pepper.
• Drizzle olive oil on the grill to prevent the mushrooms from sticking. Grill until the mushrooms are heated through and tender, about 5-8 minutes per side.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Chop the garlic cloves into very small pieces(mince), if using, and add to marinara sauce.
• Spread 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Place the grilled mushrooms on top of the marinara sauce and top with the remaining marinara sauce. Sprinkle with the cheeses and top with the butter pieces. Bake until the cheese melts and the top is golden, about 15 minutes. Serve. Enjoy.

CAPONATA

Steps:

• In a large stainless-steel skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the celery and eggplant and cook until soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the bell pepper and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, raisins, and oregano to the pan. Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens, about 20 minutes. Stir in the vinegar, sugar, capers, salt, and pepper. Season with more salt and pepper, if needed.