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valchemist
05-17-2001, 03:43 AM
Okay, so I went overboard with the eggplant last night. My husband and I just love eggplant. My grocery store had the perfect little eggplants on sale this week. I like those little ones...they seem to have a great flavor and they always have fewer seeds than the big ones.

I made an Eggplant Pizza which used Asiago cheese and a fabulous little garlic and red pepper flake topping. That was accompanied by the Macedonian Salad from the Moosewood Cookbook that Emilycat posted a while back. Thanks for that recommendation, Emily. It was wonderful!

I am going to post both recipes, along with my notes (and Emily's) below.

Does anyone have any great (tried and true) eggplant recipes they would like to contribute to this thread?


* Exported from MasterCook *

Eggplant Pizza

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 4 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Main Dish Vegetarian


Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 1/4 lbs eggplant
2 tbsps olive oil
dough:
1 pkg fast acting yeast -- (1/4 oz package)
2/3 c warm water
1 2/3 c all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp olive oil
topping:
3 ozs part-skim mozzarella cheese -- grated (3/4 cup)
3/4 oz Asiago Cheese -- grated (1/2 cup)
2 tsps olive oil
2 tbsps minced garlic
1/2 tsp dried hot red pepper flakes

Broil eggplant:
Preheat broiler. Cut eggplant into 1/3 inch thick rounds and arrange in one layer on a foil lined large baking sheet. Lightly brush both sides with oil and season with salt. Broil 2 to 3 inches from heat until golden brown and tender, 3 to 8 minutes on wach side.

Make dough:
Dissolve yeast in warm water. Blend flour and salt in a food processor. Add oil and blend. With motor running, add yeast mixture all at once, blending until dough forms a ball. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for 5 minutes. Put in a large oild bowland turn to coat. Let rise, covered with plastic wrap, in a warm place until doubled, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. While dough is rising, put a pizza stone on lowwest rack of oven and preheat oven to 500. Dust dough with flour on a floured surface, then shape and stretch into a 12 to 13 inch round. Transfer dough to baker's peel.

Assemble Pizza:
Toss together cheeses and sprinkle 1/4 over dough. Cover with eggplant, overlapping it, and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Heat oil in a small skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring until just fragrant, 30-40 seconds. Spoon evenly over eggplant. Line up far edge of peel with far edge of stone and tilt peel, jerking it gently. When edge of pizza touches stone, quickly pull back the peel to transfer to stone. Bake until dough is crisp and browned, 12 to 15 minutes.

Source:
"Gourmet, September 1999, page 143"

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 354 Calories; 15g Fat (36.9% calories from fat); 8g Protein; 48g Carbohydrate; 4g Dietary Fiber; 5mg Cholesterol; 338mg Sodium. Exchanges: 2 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 1 1/2 Vegetable; 2 1/2 Fat.

NOTES :
This was excellent. I used a "Mama Mary's" brand crust which worked very nicely. I used extra eggplant, probably at least two pounds. I used 3 oz of shredded Asiago (I shredded it in my Black and Decker mini chopper). That came out to about 2/3 cup. I mixed that with about 1/2 cup of part skim Mozarella Cheese. The garlic red peper flake topping was a wonderful complement to the rest of the flavors.



* Exported from MasterCook *

Macedonian Salad

Recipe By :Mollie Katzen
Serving Size : 6 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Salads

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 1/2 lbs eggplant -- peeled or not and cut into 1-inch cubes, or even smaller
a little oil -- for the baking tray
4 Tbsps olive oil
2 Tbsps red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic -- minced
1/2 tsp salt -- (more to taste)
freshly ground black pepper
1/2 t. basil
1/4 t. thyme
1/4 t. marjoram -- or oregano
1 T. fresh lemon juice
1/4 c. finely minced parsley -- (packed)
2 small scallions -- very finely minced
1/2 medium red bell pepper -- minced
1/2 medium green bell pepper -- minced
1 medium tomato -- diced
Optional garnishes:
olives -- (Greek oil-cured or Nicoise)

yogurt
crumbled feta cheese

1) Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spread the eggplant cubes onto a lightly oiled baking tray, and roast in the oven about 15 minutes, or until tender enough so a fork can slide in easily. Remove from oven.

2) Meanwhile, combine the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, herbs, and lemon juice in a medium-sized bowl. Add the still-warm eggplant and stir. Cover, and let sit for at least 2 hours. (At this stage, it will keep in the refrigerator for several days.)

3) Add the remaining vegetables within an hour or two of serving. Serve garnished with olives and yogurt or crumbled feta cheese.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Source:
"Moosewood Cookbook"

NOTES :
..small cubes of roasted eggplant, marinated with fresh vegetables in a lemony, herby vinaigrette

40 minutes to prepare, plus time to marinate.
Timesaver: Prepare other things while the eggplant cooks.

recipe actually calls for "1 large eggplant (about 9 inches long) or its approximate equivalent in medium or small eggplants -- peeled or not, and cut into 1-inch cubes, or even smaller" but I wrote it as 1 1/2 pounds to make it easier to enter into mastercook. I used the smaller eggplants which I find to be better tasting. They have fewer seeds than the big ones.

Emily's personal notes: I've left the whole prepared thing in the fridge for at least 3 days, and it's still tasted great. So if you wanted to make the dish in its entirety a day ahead of time, I think that would be fine. Also, I only use 1 T. of olive oil, and I don't think it's missing a thing. Just make sure your olive oil's a good one. I also don't peel the eggplant, 'cause it's a pain, and I like the peel. But whatever floats your boat Enjoy.

My notes: I prepared the recipe using 2 or 3 pounds of eggplant and maybe 3 Tbsp. of oil. I kept the rest of the ingredients about the same...maybe added a little more dried herbs. I used 1 whole red pepper instead of 1/2 of a red and 1/2 of a green. I used about 1/3 cup chopped greek olives and about 2/3 cup of crumbled feta, so the recipe definitely wasn't low in fat. But it was fabulous!


[This message has been edited by valchemist (edited 06-02-2001).]

beccathebaker
05-17-2001, 03:58 AM
These eggplant roll-ups are the best! I had them at a restaurant and then tried to duplicate the recipe at home. All measures are approximate:

2 large eggplant
1 onion, diced
3 or more cloves garlic, diced
1 tb. olive oil
2 bell peppers , diced (can be a combo but red taste the best in this dish)
1/2 tsp dried basil or 1tb fresh
salt and pepper to taste
optional 1-2 oz. goat cheese

First cut one of the eggplant into round slices and salt to eliminate excess water. Pepper them and place on a sprayed cookie sheet Put in a 400 degree oven and roast for 10-20 minutes or until slightly golden
Meanwhile heat oil in pan and add the diced peppers, garlic, onion, and the other eggplant diced (skin removed) and basil. Sautee until slightly caramelized. Add salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle in the dried basil
Take the circular eggplant slice and put a tb. of the mixture inside and and optional sprinkle of goat cheese. Roll it up and put in a baking pan.
Bake these for 5-10 minutes at 350 or until they are pipping hot and the cheese is slightly melted.

These make wonderful appetizers or a great side dish with a green salad, crusty sourdough bread and some fresh fruit!

Becca

Meg O'C
05-17-2001, 09:50 AM
Funny you should bring this up - just this week I decided it was time to defrost and polish off some eggplant parm I had made a few months ago - in the midst of a cooking frenzy during one of our winter storms. I don't even remember which CL it came from (some issue between 1997 and 2000). Anyway I was worried I had frozen it for too long and it wouldn't be that great. It has served me well the past two nights and it's better now than it was back in March! Now I just need to find the recipe so I can make another batch - it was very simple - peeled, sliced, breaded, baked, doused in sauce, topped with cheese and baked again!

Also, this time of year I love just plain old grilled eggplant!

emilycat
05-17-2001, 09:59 AM
Yea, I have a convert (well, not really a convert since you liked eggplant to begin with http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif )!

So glad you liked it, Valerie!

Teresa
05-17-2001, 08:13 PM
I am an eggplant convert!! After the favourable reviews for the 'Baked EEggplant with Mushrooms and Tomato Sauce' from November, 2000, I took the plunge so to speak and bought an eggplant (I have always thought them to be very beautiful veggies) and made it. My husband and I finished the whole thing! It was deliceous. I'm anxious to try some of the ones posted here. Thanks.

sherri
05-17-2001, 11:18 PM
There is a great eggplant recipe on cooking light's online recipe section. It is called Eggplant Polenta. My husband and I added salmon to the recipe, very tasty!

valchemist
05-18-2001, 12:35 PM
Becca,

that recipe you posted looks great. I will be copying that into my mastercook, for sure.

Val

p.s. I haven't seen or tried the eggplant polenta or the baked eggplant recipe from CL, but they sound good. thanks for the reccomendations.

aggie94
05-18-2001, 02:46 PM
I had my first eggplant experience today at lunch. I ordered "The Steal," which is a marinated grilled chicken breast on whole wheat bread, with roasted veggies (zucchini and eggplant), smoked gouda, and a sundried-tomato mayo. And the usual lettuce, tomato, etc. It was EXCELLENT. I'm not saying I love eggplant, but I definitely liked my sandwich and was not turned off by anything on there that I could actually taste. Now, I'd probably be up for trying an eggplant recipe where eggplant is the main focus, or at least a bigger focus than it was on my sandwich.

[This message has been edited by aggie94 (edited 05-18-2001).]

emilycat
06-02-2001, 09:59 AM
Valerie, all I can say about that eggplant pizza is, Wow. It's so, so, so delicious. It must be my favorite pizza recipe now, second only to CL's lox and mascarpone pizza.
I did use RunnerKim's whole wheat dough instead, and I subbed Manchego for the mozzarella and Parmesan (Parmigiano-Reggiano, of course http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif ) for the Asiago. It was excellent. Thanks again for sharing your recipe!

valchemist
06-02-2001, 12:01 PM
Emily, glad you enjoyed it as much as we did. It was almost surprising how something so simple could be so good. But that's how it goes so often. I have actually never heard of Manchego. What is it?

Maureen, I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed this one from Gourmet. Enjoy it this evening!

LaraW
06-02-2001, 01:25 PM
Wow! Valerie, Thank you so much for the Eggplant Pizza recipe!

DH has moved to Boulder so now I am on my own. I bought an eggplant to use in a frittata earlier this week. There is still a lot of the eggplant left. I made a pizza on Thursday and have 1/2 of my dough in the freezer and was wondering what to do...I will try this next week!

I am looking forward to having this, it sounds wonderful!

maureen k
06-02-2001, 11:01 PM
I've been in love with this pizza since it was published in Gourmet Sept. 99. I bought some pizza dough at Trader Joe's a couple of days ago(I've heard that it is supposed to be very good)with the intentions of making it tonight. It's so nice to hear that there are so many fans.
I'll be thinking of you all tonight as I eat my pizza and sip a little Bernardus Sauvignon Blanc http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

JJ40
06-04-2001, 09:35 AM
I am an eggplant 'newbie' and have a question. I read that you can sex eggplants and that males tend to be less bitter than females. Later I read that the whole notion of 'sexing' eggplants is a myth.

How do you choose a good, non-bitter eggplant?

TIA,
Julie

crlykat
06-04-2001, 09:50 AM
There's a few eggplant recipes that sound good in Steven Raichlen's High Flavor Low Fat Vegetarian Cooking:
Couscous Stuffed baby eggplant
Chinese eggplant with ginger and scallions
eggplant dip with asian spices
quinoa cavar (with eggplant)

I haven't tried these specifically, but the other recipes Ive tried from this book have been good. I'll be glad to post if anyone is interested.

sam
06-04-2001, 10:23 AM
I must agree with the earlier post about Eggplant Roll-Ups, or Eggplant Rolitini. They are the best. My recipe is slightly different then the one mentioned, I use ricotta cheese instead of goat cheese but it is the same principle and they are great! I also have another favorite that I used to make more frequently when I wasn't cooking light so much. My husband really likes it and he hates egglpant. It is called Grilled Eggplant. You simply bread it and fry it in a little oil and then put a small slice of sharp cheddar, a strip of bacon, and a slice of tomato on top. Put them under the broiler till the cheese melts. They are wonderful, they make a lunch by themselves and the cheese and bacon mask the eggplant if you aren't crazy about it. Although, it isn't low fat, it is good.

valchemist
06-04-2001, 10:58 AM
Lara - how did you like the pizza?

JJ40 - I don't have an answer for you. Anyone else? All I know is that the smaller ones tend to have less seeds so they are less likely to be bitter. Also really fresh eggplant are also less likely to be bitter. But to be honest with you, I have never had a problem with this - my eggplants have never been bitter.

sam - good to hear that you like the eggplant roll ups (or a similar variation). I have yet to make that recipe and your post reminded me it time to try them!

crlykat - I would like to see that recipe for eggplant dip with asian spices. Sounds yummy! (so does that pepperoncini dip you mentioned on the other thread. that reminds me...I have to go put that one into my Mastercook!)

thanks!
val

crlykat
06-04-2001, 04:16 PM
Eggplant Dip with Asian Spices
This tangy dip is an Asian takeoff on Middle Eastern baba ganooj. Grilling gives the eggplant a distinctive smoky flavor, but it can also be baked.

2 pounds eggplant (2 medium eggplant--enough to make 2 cups cooked pulp)
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons minced ginger
1 Tbs. minced scallion (white part only; reserve green part of garnish, below)
2 Tbs. rice vinegar
4-5 teaspoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons sugar or honey
1 teaspoon sesame oil
a splash of chili oil (optional)
pinch of salt (optional)
3 Tbs. chopped cilantro

Garnish:
2 Tbs minced scallion greens
1 teaspoon black sesame seeds, or toasted regular sesame seeds

Make holes in the eggplants in a few spots with a fork. Grill eggplants over medium flame, turning often, until the skin is very charred on all sides and the flesh is soft.
Alternatively, the eggplant can be cooked on an open flame or electric burner on the stove (set the heat to medium), broiled, or baked in a 400 degree oven for 1 hour. Let cool.

Using a paring knife, scrape the burnt skin off the eggplant. Puree the eggplant in a food processor, adding the garlic, ginger, white scallion, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, chili oil (if using), and salt(if desired). Stir in the cilantro leaves and transfer dip to a serving bowl.
Garnish with scallion greens and sesame seeds and serve.

Makes 2 cups, enough to serve 8. Calories: 78; 2 grams protein;2 grams fat;16 grams carb.;349 mg sodium

From Steven Raichlen's High Flavor Low Fat Vegetarian Cooking

valchemist
06-04-2001, 04:22 PM
oh wow. yum, crlykat. Thanks for posting.

I really wish my darling husband and I owned a grill, but alas, we still live in an apartment. We aren't going to buy a grill until we have a home. But I think that the recipe will still be good if I bake the eggplant.

I have never heard of grilling eggplant this way. I bet it is awesome. Maybe I will go over to Maizey's house and use her grill!

p.s. editing here...what do you think this should be served with? pita bread? any other ideas?

[This message has been edited by valchemist (edited 06-04-2001).]

crlykat
06-04-2001, 04:50 PM
Oh sorry, it says "to serve the dip, you can use Oriental rice crackers or pita chips."

Here is a pita chip recipe from the same book:

3 large or 4 small pita breads
1 Tbs. olive oil

Preheat oven to 350.

Separate the breads lengthwise into halves. Lightly brush each half with olive oil. Cut each half in to 8 wedges (6 for small breads).
Optional--spinkle the chips with sesame seeds before baking.
Arrange chips on baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes til golden brown. Cool on cake rack.
Makes 48 chips.

valchemist
06-04-2001, 06:28 PM
thanks, ck. I added that to mastercook!

LaraW
06-04-2001, 08:02 PM
Valerie,

Thank you so much for that pizza recipe! I had it for dinner tonight - I was looking forward to it all day. I'm glad it was worth waiting for! Definitely a keeper! I have a sister who is vegetarian who will like this recipe.

Lara

karenv
06-04-2001, 08:28 PM
I love eggplant. My mother used to bread it and fry it and I hated it. But now, I like it baked or sauteed with other fresh veggies. I was just at the farmers market this weekend and picked one up - $.49 a lb! This salad posted sounds wonderful. I am always searching for new recipies.

A few years ago I found this great Capanota on the web and lost the recipe. Now I have to find others to compare. Any suggestions out there?

KarenV

critikid
06-04-2001, 10:12 PM
I try to visit this sight almost every day - there is a great deal of comfort here. My Mom was the best cook I have ever come in contact with - and she passed away this past February - she would have been dazzeled by this site - by this technology. Here is her Capanota recipe - nothing my Mom EVER did was light - but some things are simply worth the sacrifice...

CAPONATA
Mom


1 large eggplant
½ cup plus 2 Tbsp olive oil
2½ cup sliced onion
2 cloves crushed garlic
1 cup diced celery
2 8 ounce cans tomato sauce
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp. drained capers
½ tsp. salt and dash pepper
12 pitted black olives (small)
12 green olives
1 tsp. Parmesan cheese
½ tsp. oregano
hot red pepper to taste

Cut eggplant into ½" cubes. In ½ cup oil, saute until tender and golden brown. Remove eggplant and set aside. Add 2 Tbsp. oil. Saute onion and celery 5 minutes. Return eggplant. Stir in tomato sauce. Bring to a boil - lower heat. Simmer covered 15 minutes. Add vinegar, capers, salt, pepper, olives, oregano, Parmesan cheese, and red pepper. Cover, simmer 20 more minutes. Refrigerate.

valchemist
06-05-2001, 03:15 AM
That Caponata recipe sounds great, critikid! Yummy - with eggplants and olives, how could you go wrong? Thank you for sharing. How do you serve it usually? What course, what accompaniments? I guess you serve it cold? I have never had caponata before. Yes, this is a Cooking Light bulletin board, but all of us know that we can have rich foods or favorite family recipes on occasion in moderation!

Lara, glad you liked that pizza. It is my favorite pizza recipe now.

[This message has been edited by valchemist (edited 06-05-2001).]

critikid
06-06-2001, 08:18 AM
simplest of simplest accompaniaments...Mom always served it with good crusty Italian bread...although it is also good on crackers and fingers as well!!!
This was one of the recipes that often was bottled and distributed as Christmas gifts the recipe was tripled and even quadrupled. I hope you enjoy - I will now take up my Mom's "wooden spoon" but it is unlikely that I will ever produce the same quality. None the less - I am going to give it a try.

laughsandlaughs
06-06-2001, 11:10 PM
Maureen K,

What Trader Joe's Pizza Dough? I've bought prebaked pizza crusts there, but never seen dough...what's this?

BethH
06-07-2001, 09:18 AM
I'm not Maureen...however, I have seen bags of uncooked pizza dough at Trader Joe's refrigerated section. I have never tried it but it looks like you just roll it out and bake it. Hope this helps