Vicos Marinated Eggplant With Tomatoes And Mozzarella Food

VICO'S MARINATED EGGPLANT WITH TOMATOES AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Peel the eggplant and cut into quarter-inch slices lengthwise. Salt each slice and stack in a shallow pie pan, cover with a plate that will fit inside the pan and weigh it down with a small heavy skillet. Refrigerate for 12 hours, draining once after the slices have given up some of their liquid.
• Bring the vinegar and one cup of water to a boil in a medium-sized saucepan. Drain the eggplant slices and blanch the slices in the vinegar and water for one minute, drain and pat dry.
• Lightly coat a non-reactive loaf pan with a little of the oil. Layer the pan with the eggplant slices, garlic, herbs and oil until all the ingredients are stacked in the pan. Cover with oil, cover tightly and refrigerate for one week before using.
• Cut the tomatoes in half lengthwise and chop. Place them in a bowl with the oregano, salt and pepper and toss with the olive oil, or enough to coat, and set aside.
• Place four to five marinated eggplant slices on individual serving plates and set aside.
• Bring one quart of water to the boil in a medium-sized saucepan. Turn off the heat, add the mozzarella cubes and let sit for 30 seconds. Remove the cubes with a slotted spoon and divide among the salad plates. Evenly divide the tomatoes and their juices over the mozzarella and top with the parsley sprigs. Serve immediately.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH MOZZARELLA, TOMATOES, AND BASIL

Steps:

• Prepare a barbecue (or preheat a broiler). Cut the eggplants into slices about 1/2-inch thick. Spread on a baking sheet and brush with olive oil on both sides. Set aside.
• Cut mozzarella in half crosswise, then slice each half about 1/4-inch thick to create half-moon shaped pieces. Slice tomatoes in the same manner. Arrange tomatoes and mozzarella decoratively around the edge of a large serving platter.
• Place eggplant slices on barbecue (or place on baking sheet in broiler) and cook, turning once, until nicely charred on each side; the eggplant should almost caramelize. Arrange the cooked eggplant down the center of the serving platter, surrounded by the tomatoes and mozzarella. Pluck about 12 large leaves from the basil bunch, stack them, roll them up like a cigar, then slice crosswise into thin shreds (?chiffonade?). Scatter the basil shreds over the vegetables and cheese, then drizzle balsamic vinegar and more olive oil over all. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste, and let stand until eggplant is at room temperature.

RIGATONI WITH CREAMY EGGPLANT AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over high heat.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. When it shimmers, add the onion and garlic and cook until just softened. Add eggplant, stir to coat in oil, then let cook, stirring rarely, until softened and golden brown, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove half eggplant mixture and reserve.
• Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions.
• Reduce heat to medium-low, add the tomatoes, cream, and half the basil, and let simmer, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and sauce is slightly thickened, about 4 minutes.
• Drain pasta and return to the pot off the heat. Pour sauce over top and stir until well coated. Add reserved eggplant, remaining basil, and mozzarella and mix until the cheese starts to soften. Serve immediately.

FRIED EGGPLANT AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Directions:.
• Sprinkle the salt onto the eggplants slices and let rest for 20 minutes.
• Rinse the salt from the eggplant slices and pat them dry.
• Form sandwiches out of 2 slices of eggplant with a slice of mozzarella and a basil leaf in the middle.
• Dredge the eggplant sandwiches in the flour.
• Dip them into the egg and then in the bread crumbs to coat.
• Fry in oil until golden brown, about 2-4 minutes each.
• Cut into four and serve with a tasty tomato sauce.

EGGPLANT INVOLTINI WITH FRESH TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Fresh Tomato Sauce: Heat oil in a medium straight-sided skillet over medium. Add garlic; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up tomato pieces with a wooden spoon, until tomatoes are soft, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes. Pass through the medium disk of a food mill. Sauce can be allowed to cool completely, then refrigerated in an airtight container up to 5 days. (Makes about 2 1/2 cups.)
• Involtini: Trim and cut eggplants length-wise into 1/4-to-1/2-inch-thick slices. Place on a rimmed baking sheet fitted with a wire rack; season both sides with salt. Let stand 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375°F. Place currants in a small heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water. Let stand 10 minutes, then drain. Finely chop half of mozzarella and place in a bowl with currants, ricotta, feta, pine nuts, cinnamon, oregano, parsley, breadcrumbs, and egg. Season with salt and pepper; stir to combine.
• Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Pat eggplant slices dry with paper towels and brush both sides of each evenly with olive oil. Brush grates with vegetable oil and grill eggplant slices, turning occasionally, until charred in places and tender, about 3 minutes a side.
• Transfer to a plate, piling slices on top of one another so that they continue to steam and soften. Let cool 15 minutes. Place 1 to 2 tablespoons filling at one short end of an eggplant slice. Roll up tightly to secure in a cigar shape. Repeat with remaining filling and eggplant slices.
• Spread tomato sauce evenly in the bottom of a 9-by-12-inch gratin dish or 9-inch square baking dish. Arrange eggplant rolls snugly in an even layer, seam-sides down. Thinly slice remaining mozzarella and arrange over top.
• Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with pepper. Bake until cheese has melted and eggplant is bubbly, about 30 minutes. Let cool slightly, then garnish with basil and serve with bread.

MARINATED MOZZARELLA, OLIVES AND CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Put cherry tomatoes in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add the olives and toss.
• In a small bowl, stir together olive oil, vinegar, garlic, oregano and red-pepper flakes. Pour mixture over tomatoes and olives. Toss well to coat and let sit for at least 10 minutes and up to an hour.
• When ready to eat, arrange mozzarella in the center of a large platter (or arrange on individual plates). Spoon tomato and olive mixture over mozzarella. Garnish with lots of basil leaves.