Eggplant Red Pepper And Goat Cheese Gratin Recipes

EGGPLANT, ROASTED PEPPER, AND GOAT CHEESE TERRINE WITH PARSLEY SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Arrange the eggplant slices in one layer on baking sheets, brush both sides of the eggplant with the oil, and sprinkle them with salt to taste. Broil the eggplant in batches about 4 inches from the heat for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until it is golden and tender, and transfer it with a metal spatula to paper towels to drain.
• Line a loaf pan, 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 by 2 1/2 inches, with plastic wrap, leaving a 3-inch overhang, and in it arrange the eggplant, the olive paste, the bell peppers, and the goat cheese in several layers, beginning and ending with the eggplant. Cover the eggplant with the plastic overhang, weight the terrine with a 3-to-4-pound weight (such as a loaf pan filled with canned goods), and chill it for 24 hours. (The terrine may be made 3 days in advance).
• Remove the weight, invert the terrine onto a cutting board, and discard the plastic wrap. Cut four 3/4-inch-thick slices from the terrine, pour about 2 tablespoons of the parsley sauce onto the center of each of 4 plates, tilting the plates to spread the sauce, and arrange a slice of the terrine on each plate. Garnish each serving with a parsley spring.
• To roast peppers:
• Using a long-handled fork char the peppers over an open flame, turning them, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the skins are blackened. (Or broil the peppers on the rack of a broiler pan under a preheated broiler about 2 inches from the heat, turning them every 5 minutes, for 15 to 25 minutes, or until the skins are blistered and charred.) Transfer the peppers to a bowl and let them steam, covered until they are cool enough to handle. Keeping the peppers whole, peel them starting at the blossom end, cut off the tops, and discard the seeds and ribs. (Wear rubber gloves when handling chilies.)
• Parsley sauce:
• In a blender purée the parsley and the garlic with the vinegar, the water, the oil, and salt and pepper to taste until the sauce is smooth and strain it through a fine sieve set over a small bowl, pressing hard on the solids. Makes about 1/2 cup.

EGGPLANT AND GOAT CHEESE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat grill or broiler.
• Cut the eggplant horizontally into slices one-half-inch thick. Cut any slices more than three inches in diameter in half. Very large slices should be quartered. Spread them on a work surface or baking sheet and sprinkle them on both sides with 3 tablespoons of the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Grill the eggplant until attractively browned on both sides.
• Heat two tablespoons of the oil in a large, heavy skillet. Saute the onions over medium heat until the pieces are tender but not brown. Add the garlic and pepper and continue to saute until the pepper pieces are tender. Stir in the tomatoes. Season to taste with salt and pepper and stir in the thyme and the parsley.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Spread a fourth of the tomato mixture about two inches deep into the bottom of a one-and-a-half-quart baking dish. Arrange a layer of the eggplant over the tomato mixture, then crumble a third of the goat cheese over it. Repeat twice more, finishing with a layer of the tomato mixture. Sprinkle with the bread crumbs and drizzle with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.
• Place in the oven and bake about 25 minutes, until heated through. Serve at once.

EGGPLANT GRATIN WITH ROASTED BELL PEPPERS AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Place eggplant slices in a colander, sprinkle both sides with kosher salt, and allow to drain in the sink for 30 minutes.
• Combine 4 tablespoons olive oil, herbes de Provence, and garlic in a small bowl.
• Set an oven rack about 4 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
• Pat eggplant dry and press between paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible. Brush slices on both sides with olive oil mixture and place in a single layer on a heavy baking sheet.
• Broil eggplant in the preheated oven, turning once after browned, about 10 minutes. Continue cooking on other side until brown and crispy, about 10 minutes.
• Grease bottom and sides of a 10- or 12-inch baking dish with 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons panko over bottom and sides of dish.
• Cut eggplant slices in half crosswise on the diagonal and place half the slices in the prepared dish in a single layer. Layer bell peppers on top of eggplant. Arrange goat cheese slices over bell peppers. Season with black pepper and cover with remaining eggplant. Sprinkle with remaining bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Drizzle with remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Bake in the preheated oven uncovered until gratin is heated through and golden brown on top, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Turn oven to broil and place gratin 4 inches from heat source. Broil gratin until breadcrumbs are crispy and brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Allow to cool 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

GOAT CHEESE WITH GRILLED EGGPLANT AND ROASTED PEPPERS ON OLIVE BREAD

Steps:

• 1. Spread goat cheese on one side of bread.
• 2. Place eggplant and pepper on the other piece of bread.
• 3. Close sandwich.
• 4. Spread evenly 1/2 teaspoon of butter onto each slice of bread.
• 5. Grill over moderate heat for approximately 3-4 minutes.
• *To grill eggplant:
• Slice thinly, brush with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, and grill or broil for 4-5 minutes.
• **To roast peppers (also available in jars):
• Hold peppers over a flame until blackened, place peppers in a paper bag, peel and discard skins when cooled.