Eggplant Mozzarella And Pesto Gratins Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Heat about 1/8-inch of olive oil in a very large frying pan over medium heat. When the oil is almost smoking, add several slices of eggplant and cook, turning once, until they are evenly browned on both sides and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Be careful, it splatters! Transfer the cooked eggplant slices to paper towels to drain. Add more oil, heat, and add more eggplant until all the slices are cooked.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together the ricotta, egg, half-and-half, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.
• In each of 2 individual gratin dishes, place a layer of eggplant slices, then sprinkle with Parmesan, salt and pepper and spoon 1/2 of the marinara sauce. Next, add a second layer of eggplant, more salt and pepper, half the ricotta mixture, and finally 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan on top.
• Place the gratins on a baking sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the custard sets and the top is browned. Serve warm.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Salt the eggplant slices and lay on a paper towel for 20 minutes to extract any bitter flavors.
• Pat the slices dry.
• Grill the slices (I use a dry grill pan on the stove top but you could also broil) until soft but not all the way done.
• Heat a skillet and add 2 TBS olive oil, Saute onion, garlic, and bellpepper until soft.
• Salt and pepper liberally.
• Stir in the wine and chicken broth and reduce to about 1/2 Cup.
• Stir in pesto and tomato paste and remove from the heat.
• In a casserole dish sprinkle the remaining 1 TBS olive oil and lay one layer of eggplant slices on top.
• Spread 1/3 of the sauce on the eggplant and top with 1/3 of the cheese mixture. Repeat layers.
• Top with the remaining cheese.
• Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until cheese is browning and bubbly and eggplant slices are soft.

Steps:

• For the pesto: In a blender or food processor, pulse the basil, pine nuts, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until finely chopped. With the machine running, gradually add the oil until the mixture is smooth and thick. Add the cheese and pulse until just incorporated. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
• For the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water. Put the pasta into a large serving bowl and add 1/2 cup of the Parmesan. Toss until coated.
• In a large, nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the eggplant and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook, stirring frequently, until the eggplant turns golden brown, about 8 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and cool slightly. Add the pesto and toss until the eggplant is coated.
• Add the eggplant mixture to the serving bowl with the pasta and toss until all of the ingredients are coated. Thin out the sauce with a little pasta water, if needed. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and serve.
• Cook's Note: To toast the pine nuts, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven until lightly toasted, about 5 to 6 minutes. Cool completely before using.

Steps:

• Cook spaghetti as directed on package, omitting salt.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add eggplant, onions and garlic; cook and stir 10 min. Stir in tomatoes, zucchini, vinegar and pepper; cook 10 min. or until vegetables are tender and sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally.
• Drain spaghetti; place in large bowl. Add sauce, cheese and basil; mix lightly.

Steps:

• In a food processor, pulse 1/2 cup walnuts until finely chopped. Add 2 cups basil and garlic, and pulse while slowly adding 1/2 cup oil, scraping down sides as needed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add Parmesan; season with salt and black pepper; process until pesto is well combined. Heat oven to 400°F. Brush eggplant slices with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil and sprinkle with sea salt; roast on a baking sheet, turning once, until tender and golden, 20 minutes. Top each with 1 tablespoon pesto. Alternately layer 2 eggplant slices, 2 tomato slices and 1 slice mozzarella. (Refrigerate any remaining pesto for another use.) Divide balsamic vinegar, remaining 2 tablespoons walnuts and basil leaves among stacks.