Italian Eggplant Aubergine Food

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!

BALSAMIC EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Combine vinegar, oil, oregano, 1/2 tsp each salt, pepper and sugar.
• Coat large cookie sheet with vegetable cooking spray.
• Brush both sides of eggplant with vinegar mixture and arrange in single layer on cookie sheet.
• Bake 15 minutes per side or until fork-tender.
• Combine onions, garlic, and 2 Tbsp of wine in large non-stick skillet, stirring over medium-high head until onions are soft, approximately 5 minutes.
• Stir in stewed tomatoes with their liquid, chopped tomato, basil, remaining 2 Tbsp wine, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp sugar.
• Bring to boil over high heat; reduce heat and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally to break up tomatoes, 10 minute.
• Makes approximately 2 1/2 cup sauce.
• Note: In a pinch I have used canned spaghetti sauce, and it worked just fine.
• Spoon one third of the sauce into shallow 2-quart baking dish.
• Arrange half the eggplant over sauce.
• Spoon half the remaining sauce over eggplant.
• Sprinkle on half of the mozzarella.
• Layer again with remaining eggplant, sauce and mozzarella.
• Top with parmesan.
• Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes.
• Bake uncovered 15 to 20 minutes more, until bubbly.
• Let stand 15 minutes before serving for easier cutting.
• Enjoy!

ITALIAN EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) CREPES

Steps:

• Cut eggplant lengthwise into thin slices.
• Sprinkle each side lightly with salt.
• Place in a colander weighted with a heavy plate and let stand one hour.
• Dip each slice on both sides in seasoned flour.
• Sauté lightly on both sides until golden.
• Add oil as needed.
• Keep warm.
• Mean while grate parmesan or romano cheese in food processor with steel blade.
• Combine with ricotta, eggs, garlic, salt and pepper.
• Add spinach and blend.
• Place several tablespoons of spinach mixture in center of crepe.
• Roll up and place seam sides down in a 13x9 inch baking pan.
• Top with tomato sauce.
• Sprinkle with grated cheese and bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 15 minutes or until hot and bubbling.
• To prepare tomato sauce for eggplant crepes: Place vegetables in a food processor with steel blade.
• Process until finely chopped.
• In large saucepan, sauté vegetables in olive oil with garlic, basil, oregano and thyme until tender.
• Add remaining ingredients and simmer 20 minutes.
• Transfer to food processor or blender and process until smooth.
• Pour over eggplant crepes before heating in oven.
• Makes 2+1/2 cups sauce.
• Notes: When I'm in a hurry I will use one of the good home style Italian sauces with peppers and vegetables on the grocery shelf like Aunt Millie's or Classico, instead of making this sauce.

ITALIAN EGGPLANT PATTIES (POLPETTTI DE MELANZANE)

Steps:

• Place the diced eggplant and (must leave skin on or will not come out right) in a small deep bowl. Season with salt and compress with heavy object. Let it stand for approximately 1 hour. Squeeze out excess juice and set aside.
• In a small frying pan, begin to heat 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 cracked garlic cloves, hot pepper, eggplant for approximately 3 minutes until garlic brown and crisp. Discard the garlic.
• In a bowl, beat eggs, add grated cheese, remaining 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, chopped fresh basil, and parsley. Add the eggplant, , 2 garlic finely chopped cloves, and bread crumbs, and mix thoroughly.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large non-stick frying pan or skillet. Wet your hands and begin to scoop 1/2 cup of mix to make patties. Start to fry when oil is very hot. Cook for 4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from pan and place on tray lined with paper towels to cool and absorb excess oil. Serve immediately.

ITALIAN EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Puncture eggplants with a fork and place on a baking sheet.
• Bake 1 1/2 hrs or until soft - turn occasionally.
• Cool. Peel and dice.
• In a large bowl combine remaining ingredients.
• Add eggplant and marinate at least 2 hours.
• Note: I used fresh parsley, basil and oregano.

ITALIAN EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) CASSEROLE

Steps:

• peel and cube eggplant.
• cover with water and cook until done,drain.
• Cook rice using 1 cup water and1/2 teaspoon salt until all water is boiled away.
• set aside Saute meat in a large skillet.
• add onions, garlic and bell pepper.
• Cook 5 minutes.
• Drain off excess grease add eggplant, rice and soup to meat mixture and mix well.
• cook over a low heat until soup is well heated.
• spoon 1/2 of mixture in a 9x13 casserole dish and cover with half of cheese add remaining mixture and cover with the rest of the cheese.
• bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

JAPANESE EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) SAUTE

Steps:

• Combine Soy sauce, mirin, crushed garlic and ginger in a bowl.
• Slice your eggplant thinly and into small pieces.
• Toss eggplant in hot pan (I use a spray oil like Pam) with the sauce mixture.
• Sauté at a medium heat until very tender, about 10 minutes.
• Add a little water to keep the veg moist if necessary.
• Great as a side dish for fish or chicken.
• Add diced medium firm tofu or any other protein for a very simple, quick meal.

INDIAN SPICED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Trim ends off eggplant and cut into 1/4" thick rounds.
• Spray cookie sheet with cooking oil.
• Place eggplant on cookie sheet and spray with cooking oil.
• Broil eggplant until tender and browned, about 3-5 minutes per side. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, combine the first 7 spices. In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add spice mixture and cook, stirring constantly, for about 30 seconds.
• Quickly add the onion and saute until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add the tomato sauce or halved cherry tomatoes, molasses, garlic and vinegar. Cook the sauce, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer eggplant to serving dish and pour sauce over. Top with chopped cilantro.