Stuffed Roasted Eggplant Rolls Greece Food

ROASTED EGGPLANT FIRECRACKER ROLLS

Steps:

• Cut the eggplant in half lengthwise. Brush the exposed flesh with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Lay the eggplant halves cut side down on a cookie sheet and roast in a 350 degree oven for about 35 minutes, until the fleshside of the eggplant is nicely browned and the eggplant has softened and fully cooked. Remove from the oven, and cool.
• When cool, use a large spoon to scoop the pulp away from the skin. Discard the skin. Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet and saute the onion and red pepper until translucent. Add the garlic and continue to cook for another minute. Do not allow the garlic to brown.
• Add the eggplant pulp to this mixture and cook for another 6 to 7 minutes until all the flavors have mingled and the eggplant has begun to brown in the saute pan. Add the cayenne, cumin, salt, pepper, cilantro leaves and bread crumbs and mix well. Set aside to cool.
• Using 3 phyllo pastry leaves at a time, brush each leaf very lightly with melted butter and layer the sheets together. Cut the stack in half. Place 3 tablespoons of the eggplant mixture in a long thin strip in the center of each stack, so the phyllo can be rolled around it to form a cigar or firecracker shape. Roll the phyllo tightly, crimping the ends shut to seal in the filling. Repeat until all of the eggplant has been used. This will yield approximately 10 to 12 eggplant firecrackers. At this point, they can be held for up to 2 days, covered and refrigerated.
• To cook the firecrackers, saute in olive oil or lay them on a nonstick baking pan, and bake in a 375 degree oven until lightly browned, about 10 to 12 minutes. Serve hot.

ROLLED STUFFED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• Saute garlic in 1 Tbls.
• of oil in large saucepan until golden brown, about 4 minutes.
• (Do Not Burn).
• Working in batches, combine crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, basil, oregano, and parsley in blender.
• Whirl until smooth.
• Pour into saucepan.
• Add bay leaf.
• Bring to boiling.
• Lower heat; simmer, partially covered, 30 minutes.
• Reserve.
• Combine crumbs and flour in large shallow pan.
• Beat eggs and milk in large bowl.
• Peel eggplants; cut lengthwise into 1/8-inch-thick slices.
• Dip into egg mixture; dredge with flour mixture, shaking off excess.
• Set on wax paper.
• Working in batches and using about 3 Tbls.
• of oil per batch, saute eggplant in large skillet until golden, 1 minute per side.
• Drain on paper toweling.
• Combine ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan and parsley in bowl; mix well.
• Spread 2 to 3 Tbls.
• on one side of each slice of eggplant.
• Roll up jelly-roll fashion.
• Spread 1 cup tomato sauce over bottom of each of two 11 3/4"x7 1/2"x1 3/4" baking dishes.
• Arrange rolls seam-side down in single layer in dishes.
• Spoon sauce over rolls; save remaining sauce to pass.
• Bake, covered in preheated 450 degree oven for 30 minutes or until sauce is bubbly.
• Garnish with chopped parsley, if you wish.
• To make ahead: Prepare rolls early in day; bake just before serving.
• Or freeze.
• Defrost in refrigerator overnight; bake as above.
• NOTE: I ALWAYS DOUBLE THE SAUCE RECIPE BECAUSE WE LIKE ALOT OF SAUCE.
• IT'S UP TO YOU!

STUFFED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) ROLLS

Steps:

• Wash the eggplants, remove the stems,peel and slice lengthwise.
• Soak the eggplants in the salt and enough water to cover the eggplant. Keep them immersed with a heavy plate for about 20 minute to 1/2 hours The longer the better. This takes out the bitterness.
• Preheat the olive oil, but be careful it is not too hot. Olive oil will splatter.
• Dry the eggplant with paper towels.
• Dredge the eggplant first into flour, then dip into the egg.
• Fry until golden brown and drain on paper towels.
• In the middle of each place a slice of mozzarella, and a spoon of ricotta cheese.
• Roll up the eggplant and place seam side down in a greased shallow baking dish.
• Top with marinara sauce.
• Bake in a 350* oven for 20-30 minute.
• Garnish with grated cheese and some fnely chopped parsley.

STUFFED EGGPLANT PARMESAN ROLLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter.
• Slice eggplant into 1/4-inch thick slices lengthwise; discard the end slices with skin. Lay the eggplant slices on paper towels and sprinkle both sides generously with sea salt. Let slices drain for 30 minutes; rinse and pat dry with paper towels.
• Place flour, eggs, and bread crumbs in separate shallow bowls. Dip each eggplant slice in flour and shake off excess; dip into egg and then into bread crumbs.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat and fry the slices until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels, place on baking sheets, and refrigerate eggplant for 10 minutes.
• Mix ricotta cheese, Romano cheese, and garlic in a bowl; season to taste with salt and black pepper. Place a cooled eggplant slice onto a work surface and mound 1/3 to 1/2 cup of cheese mixture in the center; roll up slice and place seam side down into the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining slices and cheese filling.
• Bake rolls in the preheated oven until filling is hot, about 25 minutes.

RICOTTA EGGPLANT ROLLS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic, and cook until fragrant and lightly browned. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, sugar, and pepper. Simmer covered over medium-low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). In a large shallow dish, stir together the bread crumbs and flour. In a separate dish, whisk together the eggs and cream with a fork.
• Heat the remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dip each eggplant slice into the egg mixture, then coat with breadcrumbs. Fry each slice until golden brown in the hot oil, turning once. Drain on paper towels.
• Spread a thin layer of the marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. In a large bowl, stir together the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and parsley. Spread 2 to 3 tablespoons of the cheese mixture onto one side of each slice of eggplant. Roll up, and place in the baking dish seam side down. Spoon the remaining tomato sauce over the rolls. Cover the baking dish with a lid or aluminum foil.
• Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Garnish with additional chopped parsley before serving if desired.

EGGPLANT ROLL-UPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Cut eggplants lengthwise into eighteen 1/4-in.-thick slices; reserve leftover pieces. Line 2 baking sheets with foil. Coat both sides of eggplant slices with cooking spray; place in a single layer on prepared pans. Sprinkle eggplant with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bake until just pliable (do not soften completely), 10-12 minutes; cool slightly. , Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, bring 1/2 in. of water to a boil. Add spinach; cover and boil 2-3 minutes or until wilted. Drain spinach and squeeze dry. Chop spinach and set aside., Finely chop leftover eggplant to measure 1 cup (discard remaining or save for another use). In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add chopped eggplant; cook and stir until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in tomatoes, puree, basil, sugar, oregano, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 8-10 minutes or until flavors are blended., Spread 1 cup sauce into a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. In a small bowl, combine filling ingredients and spinach. Place a rounded tablespoon of filling on the wide end of each eggplant slice; carefully roll up. Place roll-ups over sauce, seam side down. Top with 1-1/2 cups sauce. In a small bowl, mix Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs; sprinkle over top. Bake until heated through and bubbly, 20-25 minutes. Serve with remaining sauce and, if desired, sprinkle with parsley.