Eggplant Sandwich With Black Olive Pesto Recipes

TRENETTE WITH EGGPLANT AND BASIL PESTO

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.

BAGUETTE SANDWICH WITH ROASTED EGGPLANT, TOMATOES AND PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Toss eggplant slices with olive oil, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few pinches pepper.
• Lay eggplant on baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove from oven and brush with the balsamic vinegar.
• Cut baguette in half lengthwise and hollow out the center.
• Brush both sides generously with pesto, then lay eggplant in bottom in overlapping slices.
• Follow with an overlapping layer of tomatoes and sprinkle them lightly with salt and pepper.
• Place the cheese on top and follow with the lettuce.
• Place the top of the baguette on the sandwich and slice diagonally into 4 sandwiches.

BAKED EGGPLANT WITH PESTO, PARMESAN, AND MOZZARELLA

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.

BLACK OLIVE PESTO

Steps:

• Place the garlic, and herbs in a food processor and blend until finely chopped.
• Add the tomatoes, olives and Parmesan and pulse until coarsely chopped.
• Scoop the mixture into a bowl and stir in the olive oil to make a thick paste.
• Serve tossed with freshly cooked spaghetti, black pepper and extra Parmesan, or on bruschetta.

EGGPLANT SANDWICH WITH BLACK OLIVE PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Combine the flour, salt, and pepper. Coat each eggplant slice with the seasoned flour.
• In a large skillet heat 1/4 cup of the olive oil over medium-high heat and fry the eggplant slices until golden brown on both sides, adding more oil as needed. Remove the eggplant from the skillet and blot lightly on paper towels.
• Cut the focaccia in 1/2 horizontally and spread the Black Olive Pesto on the inside of both halves. Arrange the eggplant slices on 1 half of the focaccia. Layer the tomatoes and roasted peppers on top and sprinkle with cheese. Cover with the other half of the focaccia, pressing firmly to join.
• Cut the sandwich in 2 pieces. Brush each side of the focaccia with olive oil. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and grill both sides until golden and crispy. Place the sandwiches on a baking sheet and place in the oven for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and gooey.
• Cut each sandwich into 3 and serve warm.
• Black olive pesto:.
• In a food processor puree the olives, Parmesan, olive oil, and garlic until smooth.
• Can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks in an air tight container.