Tomato Basil And Eggplant Flatbread With Blue Cheese Food

TOMATO, BASIL AND EGGPLANT FLATBREAD WITH BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• FOR THE FLATBREAD DOUGH: In a measuring cup, combine the water, sugar and yeast. Set aside until yeast is bubbly, about 5 minutes. Stir in olive oil. In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose and whole- wheat flours, salt and pepper. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon to combine.
• Dump the mixture onto a lightly floured board or other work surface. With lightly floured hands, knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes, adding more flour just when the dough sticks to your hands or work surface. until the dough is smooth.
• Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let set in a warm, draft-free place until it's doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours.
• Once the dough has doubled, punch it down and then divide it into 4 equal pieces. Knead each dough piece on a lightly floured work surface for 1 minute into a tight ball. Set dough balls on an oiled tray and refrigerate, covered, for 20 minutes or longer. (Dough can be made up to 1 day in advance. Wrap each ball in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator.)
• FOR THE ROASTED EGGPLANT SLICES: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Soak the eggplant slices in cold water for 5 minutes. Drain and pat dry with paper towels. Spritz 2 baking sheets with olive oil. Arrange slices in a single layer on the sheets and then spritz them with more oil. Season with salt and pepper. Roast for 10 minutes until lightly browned. Cool and reserve for use.
• TO ASSEMBLE THE FLATBREADS: Place a pizza stone on the lowest rack of the oven and preheat oven to 500 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, press a ball of Flatbread Dough into a disc, then roll it in a thin circle about 1/8 inch thick.
• Transfer the dough to a lightly floured wooden pizza paddle. Spritz the dough with extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle with some cooked minced garlic (or roasted garlic paste). Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese. Add 3 to 4 eggplant slices, then 6 or 7 torn fresh basil leaves. Add 2 to 3 tomato slices. Top with 2 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese and a few twists of black pepper.
• Spritz with a little more olive oil, then gently slide the dough off the wooden paddle and onto the pizza stone. Bake 4 to 6 minutes, until the crust is crisp and golden brown. Remove flatbread with the paddle onto a cutting surface and slice.
• Repeat the process with the remaining three flatbread discs.
• TIP 1: If you prepare the dough and eggplant in advance and arrange all your other ingredients before starting, you can assemble each of these flatbreads in about 2 minutes, plus 4 to 6 minutes baking time.
• TIP 2: When it comes to toppings, less is more --- don't lay them on too thick. And get yourself a pizza stone and a wooden pizza paddle in order to handle and cook the thin crust properly.

EGGPLANT FLATBREAD PIZZAS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat; saute eggplant and onion with salt and pepper until eggplant begins to soften, 4-5 minutes. Stir in garlic; remove from heat., Place naan on a baking sheet. Spread with ricotta cheese; sprinkle with oregano. Spread with tomato sauce. Top with eggplant mixture and whole basil leaves. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses; drizzle with remaining oil., Bake until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted, 12-15 minutes. If desired, top with sliced basil.

EGGPLANT SANDWICHES W/ GOAT CHEESE, TOMATO, & BASIL

Steps:

• For the basil oil: combine the olive oil and basil leaves in a food processor and season with salt and pepper. Process until pureed (there will be some sediment), about 5 minutes. Strain into a squeeze bottle. May be refrigerated for 1 day; use at room temperature. Makes about 1 1/4 cup.
• For the sandwiches: combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and garlic and divide between two large bowls. Add the eggplant to one bowl and the tomatoes to the other and let marinade 1 hour, refrigerated.
• Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to high.
• Remove the eggplant and tomatoes from the marinade, shaking off any excess, and season with salt and pepper on both sides. (Discard the used marinade). Grill the eggplant until golden brown and cooked through, about 3 minutes on each side; grill the tomatoes just until marked.
• Place 8 slices of eggplant on a work surface and top each with a slice of tomato. Place a slice of goat cheese over the tomato and sprinkle with the basil (some basil will be left over). Cover with the remaining eggplant slices. Place the sandwiches on the grill just until the cheese has softened, about 1 minute, turning once (DH says he won't turn the sandwiches next time as it made them a bit messy).
• Arrange the eggplant sandwiches on a platter and drizzle with the basil oil.

CRISPY EGGPLANT WITH SPICY TOMATO FETA CHEESE SAUCE

Steps:

• Place eggplant slices on a baking sheet.
• Lightly salt eggplant.
• Let stand for 10 minutes.
• Pat dry with paper towels.
• In a shallow bowl combine the eggs and milk.
• In another shallow bowl stir together the Parmesan cheese, wheat germ, basil, and pepper.
• Dip the eggplant slices in egg mixture, then into wheat germ mixture, turning to coat both sides.
• Place the coated slices in a single layer on a greased baking sheet and bake, uncovered at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or till the eggplant is crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.
• Meanwhile, for sauce, in a medium saucepan combine the spaghetti sauce and ground red pepper- Cook over medium heat till heated through.
• To serve, place several slices of eggplant on individual plates, then spoon tomato sauce over eggplant and sprinkle with feta or blue cheese and, if desired, sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley.