Grilled Eggplant With Toasted Breadcrumb Salsa Verde Food

SALSA VERDE WITH TOASTED BREADCRUMBS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F. Bake bread on a rimmed baking sheet 5 minutes to dry out. Let cool.
• Heat 1/4 cup oil in a medium skillet over medium. Add bread and cook, tossing and shaking pan often, until golden and crisp, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer croutons to paper towels to drain; season with salt and let cool. Transfer croutons to a medium bowl and crush using your hands or a metal spoon until finely ground. Set aside.
• Using the side of a chef's knife, mash anchovies, garlic, and capers to a paste on a cutting board. Transfer anchovy mixture to a medium bowl. Add vinegar and let sit 10 minutes. Stir in parsley and remaining 3/4 cup oil.
• To serve, mix breadcrumbs into salsa verde; season with salt and pepper.
• Breadcrumbs can be made 1 day ahead; store airtight at room temperature. Salsa verde (without breadcrumbs) can be made 4 hours ahead; cover and chill.

GRILLED EGGPLANT AND FRESH MOZZARELLA SALAD

Steps:

• Set up a grill for cooking with direct and indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only.
• Peel the eggplants and slice into 1/2-inch-thick rings. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil on both sides. Place on the direct-heat side of the grill and char, cooking until softened, about 2 minutes per side. Remove to a cutting board and cut each slice into quarters.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, Dijon and honey. Drizzle in 1/2 cup of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. In a large bowl, combine the arugula, mozzarella, onion and eggplant. Dress with the vinaigrette and serve!

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.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH CAPONATA SALSA

Steps:

• Mix tomatoes, celery, onion, olives, chopped oregano, capers, garlic, and crushed red pepper in medium bowl. Whisk red wine vinegar and 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil in small bowl; pour over tomato mixture and toss to coat. Season caponata to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Caponata can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Peel eggplant lengthwise to create alternating 2-inch-wide intervals of peeled and unpeeled skin. Cut eggplant crosswise into 6 slices, each about 1 inch thick. Brush eggplant slices with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill eggplant slices until slightly charred and very tender when pierced with knife, about 8 minutes per side.
• Place 1 grilled eggplant slice on each of 6 plates. Spoon caponata over, garnish with oregano sprigs, and serve warm or at room temperature.