Hopvines Marinated Roasted Eggplant Aubergine Food

HOPVINE'S MARINATED ROASTED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• Remove the peel of the eggplant. (If using Japanese eggplant, it's not necessary to remove the peel.).
• Slice the peeled eggplant thinly, about 1/8 inch thick, then make into smaller pieces (about 1"x2" strips).
• Combine remaining ingredients in a plastic airtight container.
• Add the eggplant pieces, cover, and shake well to coat.
• Chill in refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place eggplant pieces on a non-stick baking sheet and roast for 7 minutes, then carefully turn them and roast another 7 minutes until tender.
• Keep the eggplant pieces refrigerated in an airtight container until you use them; they'll keep for up to 3 or 4 days.
• You can use the eggplant in various ways: put them in sandwiches, or (as I do) put the marinated eggplant pieces on your pizza along with the other veggies!
• Note: this marinade is also good for other roasted vegetables like asparagus; you can also grill the eggplant slices instead of roasting and use them as an appetizer (I use my Foreman grill), to make appetizers with them I usually use unpeeled Asian eggplant instead of the regular kind and slice them diagonally about 1/4-inch thick before grilling.

FIRE-ROASTED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) WITH YOGURT

Steps:

• Smoke the eggplant.
• This can be done under the broiler, on an open flame or on an outdoor grill.
• First wash the eggplant and dry thoroughly.
• Using a small knife, pierce the skin all over and rub lightly with the 1 tbsp of oil.
• Place the eggplant on an open flame or under the broiler.
• Turn frequently so it blackens evenly on all sides.
• It is ready when soft and collapses on itself when touched (in 20 to 25 minutes.) Remove in a bowl and set aside.
• While the eggplant is cooling, prepare the yogurt.
• In a serving dish, lightly beat the yogurt with a pinch of sugar and salt to taste.
• Then stir in the chopped onion and cilantro and the (optional) green chili.
• When completely cool, skin the eggplant.
• The skin should peel off easily, leaving the wonderful smoky flesh behind.
• Do not discard the juices that have collected in the bowl.
• Add the juices and the skinned eggplant to the yogurt mixture and combine well.
• Do not mash the eggplant; the naturally lumpy texture is desirable.
• Now make the hot oil dressing.
• Place the chili powder or paprika in a small pile on the eggplant-yogurt mix.
• Heat the oil in a small skillet or butter warmer.
• (Keep a spatter-screen or lid handy.) When the oil just begins to smoke, add the mustard seeds, cover immediately and remove from heat.
• The seeds will pop wildly; do not panic!
• When they stop sputtering, uncover and pour this hot oil dressing directly on the chili powder.
• Do not blend the dressing into the yogurt-instead, swirl it in decoratively just before serving.
• Serve cold or at room temperature.

ROASTED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) ROLLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Brush 1 tablespoon of the oil on the sliced eggplant, and roast it until tender, about 15 minutes.
• Saute the onion in the remaining 1 tablespoon of the oil until tender, about 3-4 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes (with the juice), and simmer for 15 minutes.
• In a separate bowl, mix the ricotta, spinach, mozzarella, basil, oregano, and garlic.
• Add salt and peper to taste.
• Lightly coat a baking dish with cooking spray.
• Spoon the cheese mixture on each slice of the eggplant, and roll up like a jelly roll.
• Place the eggplant in the dish.
• Continue until all the eggplant is used.
• Top with the tomato sauce, and bake for 30 minutes.

ROASTED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) CAVIAR

Steps:

• Stab eggplant and roast in medium-hot oven along with garlic heads (brush garlic with olive oil) turn occasionally, until eggplant collapses and garlic is soft.
• (You can use parchment paper or silpat pad to line a pan.) Can also be done in a covered grill.
• Chop onion and red pepper.
• After eggplant cools, scoop out flesh, discarding rind, and squeeze roasted garlic cloves into eggplant.
• Either chop or puree eggplant/garlic in a processor or coarsely hand chop the mixture.
• Add the chopped onion and red peppers but don't process further-the caviar should have crunch from these raw ingredients.
• Add olive oil, Kosher salt, black pepper (and optional herbs &/or spices) and mix well.
• Serve with regular or toasted pita, crackers or crudites.

BALSAMIC MARINATED GRILLED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• Combine the first 6 ingredients and pour over the eggplant.
• Marinate overnight (or at least four (4) hours).
• Cook on a pre-heated grill over medium heat for about 5 minutes each side.
• The eggplant will get dark brown and lightly crisp on the outside, and soft in the center.

HOT CHINESE EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• Cut unpeeled eggplant into 3/4" by 3/4" by 2" sticks.
• Place strips in a colander, sprinkle with salt and toss to coat.
• Let drain for 30 minutes.
• Rinse.
• Squeeze to remove water.
• Mix first 5 ingredients in a bowl.
• In a skillet or wok heat the oil.
• Add the eggplant, garlic and ginger.
• Stir fry over high heat for 3 minutes.
• Add sauce and stir well.
• Reduce heat to medium low, simmer 15 minutes.
• Gradually turn up heat.
• Cook until sauce is reduced to a thick glaze.
• Garnish with sesame seeds.
• Serve immediately.

ITALIAN MARINATED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• Peel eggplant.
• Cut the eggplants into thin long strips, like french fries.
• Place in a colander, sprinkle with the salt, and set a plate and a weight on top. Set the colander in a large bowl and set aside for at least 2 hours.
• Squeeze as much water as you can from eggplant.
• Place water and vinegar to boil.
• Place eggplant in boiling water for 3 minutes only. Don't over cook or will be mushy.
• Drain in colander, set a plate and a weight on top. Set colander in a large bowl and set aside for at least 4 hours I do overnight.
• Squeeze any remaining liquid you can out of eggplant. Put eggplant in glass jar with fresh garlic cloves , fresh cut into big chunks hot peppers, fresh mint and good drizzle of olive oil. Shake up and refrigerate. Makes 1 quart. Enjoy!