Seafood Stuffed Eggplant

SHRIMP STUFFED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• Cut each eggplant it half, cutting through the stem and down its length.
• Cut perpendicular (criss-cross) slices in the flesh of the eggplant to within ¼ inch of the shell.
• Use a spoon to scoop out cubes of eggplant pulp.
• Place shells in an oven preheated to 350 while preparing the filling or in a shallow pan of boiling water. You want the shells a little tender but not fully cooked when you stuff them.
• Saute onion and garlic in a little oil in a skillet until transparent but not brown.
• Add the eggplant pulp and cook until done.
• Add shrimp and cook for about 5 more minutes.
• Add basil and enough breadcrumbs until mix is firm but not dry. Salt and pepper to taste. Cheese can be added if desired at this step and grated on top after cooking as well.
• Stuff shells and put in oven proof dish. Heat in 350 oven until piping hot or freeze.
• Serve with a salad and good French or Italian bread. Fantastic.

SEAFOOD-STUFFED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. Arrange eggplants on large baking sheet. Pierce with fork. Broil 4 minutes per side. Scoop out eggplant pulp, leaving 1/2-inch-thick shell intact. Place eggplant pulp in heavy medium saucepan. Pour 2 cups water over. Add 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 15 minutes. Uncover and simmer until eggplant is very tender and liquid evaporates, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Brush eggplant shells with 1 tablespoon oil. Bake until shells are tender but still hold shape, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions; sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add boiled eggplant, shrimp and cayenne; sauté until shrimp are cooked through, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 cup breadcrumbs and crabmeat. Season with salt and pepper. Fill eggplant shells with seafood mixture. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead; refrigerate.)
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Sprinkle stuffing with remaining 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs. Bake stuffed eggplants until heated through, about 30 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes. Serve hot.

STUFFED EGGPLANT WITH SHRIMP AND BASIL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Scoop out the flesh of the eggplant, chop, and reserve. Coat shells with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper; set aside.
• Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium high heat. Saute shrimp, basil and garlic until shrimp turns pink, about 1 minute. Stir in the reserved chopped eggplant. Season with salt and pepper. Pour in wine, and cook 5 minutes.
• Transfer to a large bowl, and mix in the bread crumbs and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. If mixture is dry, stir in more olive oil. Stuff mixture into eggplant shells, and sprinkle top with remaining Parmesan cheese.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until eggplant is tender.