Tunisian Eggplant Appetizer 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 APPETIZER

Steps:

• Slice the eggplant on the diagonal into 1/4-inch thick slices. Add to a hot grill pan and grill until slices are marked on both sides and the eggplant is tender, about 7 minutes on each side. Season with salt and pepper, remove from grill pan and set aside.
• In a bowl, combine the ginger, garlic, olives, tomatoes, scallions, sesame seeds, zest and rice vinegar.
• Arrange the eggplant on two plates, top with the vegetable mixture, sprinkle more sesame seeds on top

SALAD MECHOUIA (TUNISIAN SALAD)

Steps:

• Prepare a grill to medium-high heat.
• Thread garlic cloves onto a metal skewer. Put garlic skewer, tomatoes, onions, peppers, chile, and eggplant on grill rack. Grill, turning occasionally, until tender and lightly charred all over, 6-7 minutes for garlic and tomatoes; 10 minutes for eggplant; 15 minutes for peppers and chile; 20 minutes for onions.
• Place peppers and chile in a large bowl; cover with plastic wrap and let stand 15 minutes.
• Coarsely chop tomatoes and eggplant. Peel and coarsely chop onions. Peel garlic cloves. Peel, seed, and coarsely chop peppers and chile.
• Place all vegetables in a food processor, along with oil, pulsing until pureed to desired consistency. Transfer to a large bowl. Season to taste with lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

TUNISIAN EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) SALAD

Steps:

• Roast eggplant in the oven until the skin is charred.
• Allow to cool and peel off charred skin; cut the eggplant into 1 inch cubes.
• Arrange with green pepper in 2-quart shallow casserole dish.
• In a glass jar with lid, combine garlic, oil, vinegar, oregano and salt; shake well.
• Pour over eggplant mixture. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.
• Drain marinade and reserve for other use. Toss marinated vegetables with tuna and tomato.
• Spoon in to salad bowl lined with crisp greens.
• Enjoy!

TUNISIAN EGGPLANT APPETIZER

Steps:

• 1. In a large skillet, saute onion and garlic in olive oil with salt over medium heat until onion is soft and translucent (5 to 8 minutes). 2. Add eggplant cubes, stir, and cover. Cook until eggplant is very well done (15 to 20 minutes), stirring occasionally. Add small amounts of additional oil, 1 T. at a time to prevent sticking. 3. Stir in tomato paste and vinegar, and heat to boiling point. Add olves and remove from heat. 4. Stir in artichoke hearts, then cool to room temperature. Taste to adjust seasonings, adding option hers, if desired. 5. Cover tightly and chill. Serve cold or at room temperature.

TUNISIAN EGGPLANT SALAD

Steps:

• 1. Pierce the eggplant all over with a fork. Place the eggplant on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 400°F oven for about 40 minutes, or until soft and shriveled. Set aside to cool. 2. When the eggplant is cool enough to handle, scoop out the flesh and discard the skin. Chop or mash the eggplant into small pieces and place in a medium-size bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. 3. Garnish with cilantro and serve as an appetizer with Sesame, Poppy Seed, and Garlic Pita Points (page 145), or heap onto a bed of salad greens topped with feta. *Harissa is a fiery hot sauce made with chiles. It is from Tunisia and can be purchased at Middle Eastern food stores.