Mini Eggplant Parm Roasted Cherry Tomato Basil Pesto Food

MINI EGGPLANT PARMESAN

Steps:

• For the sauce: Heat the oil in a heavy medium saucepan over medium. Add the garlic, shallots and salt. Stir until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, basil, oregano and crushed red pepper. Simmer the sauce until the flavors blend and the sauce thickens, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Mix in the vinegar.
• For the eggplant: Mix the flour, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl. Place the panko breadcrumbs in another shallow bowl. Whisk the egg whites in a medium bowl until frothy. Dip each eggplant slice in the flour mixture, then into the beaten egg whites, and then into the panko breadcrumbs to coat completely.
• Heat the oil in a heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat until hot (the surface will appear to be shimmering), 2 to 3 minutes. Add half of the eggplant slices. Cook until deep golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer the eggplant to a paper-towel-lined plate. Fry the remaining eggplant. (Can be made 1 hour ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)
• Preheat a broiler. Toss the mozzarella and Parmesan in a small bowl until well blended. Spread 1 generous teaspoon of the sauce over each eggplant slice. Top with a rounded teaspoon of the cheese mixture; spread out to cover and press lightly to adhere. Transfer the eggplant slices to a rimmed baking sheet. Broil until the cheese has melted, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the mini eggplant parmesans to a platter and garnish each with small basil leaf. Let stand 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

EGGPLANT, TOMATO, AND PESTO STACK

Steps:

• In a food processor, pulse 1/2 cup walnuts until finely chopped. Add 2 cups basil and garlic, and pulse while slowly adding 1/2 cup oil, scraping down sides as needed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add Parmesan; season with salt and black pepper; process until pesto is well combined. Heat oven to 400°F. Brush eggplant slices with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil and sprinkle with sea salt; roast on a baking sheet, turning once, until tender and golden, 20 minutes. Top each with 1 tablespoon pesto. Alternately layer 2 eggplant slices, 2 tomato slices and 1 slice mozzarella. (Refrigerate any remaining pesto for another use.) Divide balsamic vinegar, remaining 2 tablespoons walnuts and basil leaves among stacks.

CHERRY TOMATO PESTO POPS

Steps:

• Working one at a time, cut a small slice off the bottom of any tomato that won't stand flat. Cut off the top 1/8-inch of each tomato, and scoop out the top 1/4-inch of flesh, using either a melon baller or a paring knife.
• Combine the basil, Parmesan, almonds, oil and salt in a food processor; pulse, scraping down the sides, until the mixture forms a paste. Transfer the pesto to a piping bag fitted with a small tip. Fill each tomato with a small dollop of the pesto. Refrigerate until ready to serve or serve immediately.

FRITTATA WITH PAN-ROASTED POTATOES, SMOKED MOZZARELLA AND TOMATO-BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• For the tomato-basil pesto: Combine the basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, and salt and pepper in a food processor and process until smooth. With the machine running, drizzle in the olive oil. Transfer to a bowl and fold in the tomatoes. Set aside.
• For the frittata: Put the potatoes in a saucepan, cover with cold water and add a few tablespoons of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until a skewer inserted into the center meets with no resistance, about 25 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly. Cut the potatoes into 1-inch cubes.
• Preheat the broiler. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until it begins to shimmer. Add the potato cubes, season with salt and pepper, stir in the thyme and chile flakes, and cook until golden brown all over.
• Whisk together the eggs until light and fluffy, then pour over the potatoes. Scatter the smoked mozzarella on top and season with salt and pepper; stir and briefly fold everything together. Cook until the egg mixture has set on the bottom and is beginning to set up on top. Transfer to the broiler and cook until lightly browned and fluffy, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the frittata from the oven and carefully slide it onto a cutting board. Cut into wedges and serve hot or at room temperature with some of the pesto and a sprinkling of grated Parmesan.

BAKED EGGPLANT WITH PESTO, PARMESAN, AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Salt the eggplant slices and lay on a paper towel for 20 minutes to extract any bitter flavors.
• Pat the slices dry.
• Grill the slices (I use a dry grill pan on the stove top but you could also broil) until soft but not all the way done.
• Heat a skillet and add 2 TBS olive oil, Saute onion, garlic, and bellpepper until soft.
• Salt and pepper liberally.
• Stir in the wine and chicken broth and reduce to about 1/2 Cup.
• Stir in pesto and tomato paste and remove from the heat.
• In a casserole dish sprinkle the remaining 1 TBS olive oil and lay one layer of eggplant slices on top.
• Spread 1/3 of the sauce on the eggplant and top with 1/3 of the cheese mixture. Repeat layers.
• Top with the remaining cheese.
• Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until cheese is browning and bubbly and eggplant slices are soft.