Eggplant Mykonos Recipes

EASY GREEK-STYLE EGGPLANT RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place eggplant cubes in a colander over a large bowl or directly over your sink, and sprinkle with salt. Set aside for 20 minutes or so to allow eggplant to "sweat out" any bitterness. Rinse with water and pat dry.
• In a large braiser, heat 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil over medium-high until shimmering but not smoking. Add onions, peppers, and chopped carrot. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring regularly, then add garlic, bay leaf, spices, and a dash of salt. Cook another minute, stirring until fragrant.
• Now add eggplant, chopped tomato, chickpeas, and reserved chickpea liquid. Stir to combine.
• Bring to a rolling boil for 10 minutes or so. Stir often. Remove from stove top, cover and transfer to oven.
• Cook in oven for 45 minutes until eggplant is fully cooked through to very tender. (While eggplant is braising, be sure to check once or twice to see if more liquid is needed. If so, remove from oven briefly and stir in about 1/2 cup of water at a time.)
• When eggplant is ready, remove from oven and add a generous drizzle of Private Reserve EVOO, garnish with fresh herbs (parsley or mint). Serve hot or at room temperature with a side of Greek yogurt or even Tzatziki sauce and pita bread.

EGGPLANT MYKONOS

Steps:

• In a large pot, saute the onions and garlic in oil until vegetables are transparent.
• Add the eggplant and red bell pepper; stir to combine.
• Crush the tomatoes and add them with their liquid to the pot; stir to combine.
• Add the apple juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and fennel; stir to combine (if using dried dill, add it now).
• Cover and simmer, stirring frequently, for 15 minutes or until the eggplant is tender.
• Add in the fresh dill, lemon juice, and spinach.
• Simmer for a couple of minutes or until the spinach wilts but is still bright green in color.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Ladle into individual bowls and sprinkle feta cheese on top.

TURKEY-AND-QUINOA STUFFED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Place a rimmed baking sheet in the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Brush the cut sides of the eggplants with 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place cut-side down on the hot baking sheet and roast until tender, about 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the panko and smashed garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; stir in the cheese and half the parsley. Discard the garlic.
• Wipe out the skillet; add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the onion, minced garlic, herbes de Provence and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring, until softened, 5 minutes. Add the turkey, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper; cook, breaking up the meat, until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the quinoa and remaining parsley. Cook until hot, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Scoop out most of the flesh from each eggplant, leaving a shell. Roughly chop the flesh and stir into the turkey mixture. Stuff the eggplant shells with the turkey mixture and top with the toasted panko. Drizzle with olive oil.