Spanish Eggplant Aubergine Food

SPANISH STUFFED EGGPLANT RECIPE (BERENJENAS RELLENAS)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C)
• Wash the eggplants well and cut them in half lengthwise
• Put them on a baking sheet, skin side down and make crisscross cuts through the flesh
• Drizzle with lots of olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt and freshly ground pepper
• Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until flesh is completely tender and easy to scoop out
• Take the eggplants out of the oven and let them rest for 15 minutes covered in aluminum foil while you prepare the filling (this ensures they're easy to scoop)
• Mince the garlic and dice the onion and pepper very small
• Saute the diced vegetables in hot olive oil while you scrape out the flesh of each eggplant and add it to the pan
• When the vegetables are starting to brown, add the ground meat (or the vegetarian mixture) and saute until cooked through
• Season with salt and pepper and remove from the heat
• Let the mixture rest for a few minutes before filling the empty eggplant skins
• To fill the skins, first add a layer of tomato sauce to the empty skins before filling
• Fill each skin to the top, and cover in mozzarella cheese
• Put under the broiler until just browned on the top
• Enjoy your Spanish stuffed eggplants!

FRIED EGGPLANT WITH HONEY (BERENJENAS FRITAS CON MIEL)

Steps:

• Cut the eggplant in round slices or in matchsticks, depending on your preference.
• In a large bowl, cover the eggplant with milk and add a pinch of salt. Allow the eggplant to soak for about an hour (this is to draw out any bitterness).
• Drain the eggplant and coat the slices in the flour, which you can season with salt and pepper if desired.
• Fry the slices in a deep, heavy pan with abundant olive oil. (Make sure the oil is very hot before adding the slices and fry in batches as to not overcrowd the pan!)
• Remove the eggplant and drain on paper towels. Season with a pinch of salt. Drizzle with honey or molasses before serving.

SPANISH EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• Place eggplant in salted water and let soak for 30 minutes; drain.
• Again cover with water and add onion, bell pepper, salt and pepper, cook until tender; drain and mash.
• Cool.
• Grease a casserole dish.
• In mixing bowl place eggplant, oil, eggs and cracker crumbs.
• Mix well and place in greased casserole dish.
• Cover with cheddar cheese.
• Bake 30-40 minutes at 350°F.

EASY EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) PARMIGIANA

Steps:

• Trim the eggplants and cut them into 1/4 inch thick slices.
• Layer the slices in a colander, sprinkling each layer with salt.
• Let drain for 30 minutes.
• Rinse the eggplant and pat dry.
• Pour about 1/2 inch oil a large deep skillet and heat over medium heat.
• Fry the slices, in a single layer, turning once, until browned on both sides.
• Drain on paper towels.
• Preheat the oven to 350.
• Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce in a shallow baking dish.
• Make a layer of eggplant slices, overlapping them slightly.
• Top with a layer of mozzarella, another layer of sauce, and a sprinkle of grated cheese.
• Repeat the layering, ending with eggplant, sauce, and grated cheese.
• Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the mozzarella is melted.
• Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

CHEESY AUBERGINE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450.
• Spray baking sheet with oil and place eggplant slices on it in a single layer. Spray the tops of the eggplant with oil. Bake until soft when pressed about 15-25 minutes.
• Meanwhile , in a small pot, combine tomato sauce, chiles, onions, cumin, garlic powder and olives. Bring to a simmer, then simmer, uncovered, over medium-low heat for 10 minutes.
• Turn oven down to 350 when eggplant is done.
• Arrange half the eggplant slices in a single layer over the bottom of a shallow 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Spoon half the sauce over eggplant and sprinkle with half the cheese. Repeat layers ending with cheese.
• Bake at 350 until heated through and bubbly (about 30 minutes).
• Top with sour cream if desired.

EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) CAPONATA

Steps:

• Heat about 1/4 inch of oil in a large saute pan (as the eggplant will soak it up).
• Brown the eggplant in the oil in small batches.
• Set aside in a stainless steel bowl.
• Note: the eggplant is usually cooked with the skin on it adds color to the dish, however if you find the skin to be particularly tough or stringy you can peel the eggplant and cook it skinned.
• Heat more oil.
• Sauté peppers until soft.
• Add sautéed peppers to bowl with the eggplant.
• Cook onions and garlic until onions are tender.
• Add brown sugar and vinegar and cook 2 minutes more.
• Add tomato puree and green olives and cook until you have a thick, brown sweet-and-sour sauce.
• Pour sauce over eggplant and peppers and toss to coat.
• Add capers, anchovies and herbs, and mix well.
• Adjust seasonings to taste.
• Serve warm or at room temperature with slices of crusty Italian bread.
• Also excellent served hot on top of pasta or chilled and served as a salad.

CATALAN AUBERGINES/EGGPLANTS

Steps:

• Prepare the eggplants/aubergines by peeling them and cutting into cubes (about 1-inch).
• Heat the oil in a frying pan add the cubes and sauté for a few minutes
• Add the chopped onion, crushed garlic and paprika to the eggplant/aubergine in the frying pan and fry over a low heat for a further 5 mins
• Add the chopped tomatoes; season with salt and pepper
• Cover the frying pan and cook for a further 15 minutes (checking that the eggplant/ aubergine is well cooked and tender).
• Place in a serving dish and garnish with a chopped fresh parsley.

SPICY SPANISH EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) DIP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°.
• Pierce eggplants several times with a fork; place on a baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes turning often, until blackened.Cool slightly; peel. Drain eggplant pulp in a colander for 5 minutesthen chop.
• Combine tomato paste and next 5 ingredients (through ground red pepper) in a small bowl, stirring until smooth.
• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion and garlic cook 6 minutes , stirring occasionally. Stir in eggplant, tomato paste mixture, and anchovies; cook 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat; stir in parsley and spoon it into a bowl. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.
• Makes 12 1/2 servings.