Eggplant With Salsa Flavor Recipes

SESAME-EGGPLANT SALSA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Pierce eggplants all over with fork. Place on baking sheet. Roast in oven until eggplants are very soft and deflated, turning once, about 1 hour. Cool slightly.
• Cut eggplants in half; scrape flesh into strainer set over large bowl (do not allow bottom of strainer to touch bowl). Let eggplant drain 30 minutes. Transfer eggplant to processor. Using on/off turns, process until almost smooth.
• Heat vegetable oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3/4 cup green onions, ginger, garlic and chili-garlic sauce; sauté just until onions soften, about 45 seconds. Stir in brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar and lemon juice. Bring to simmer, stirring constantly. Mix in eggplant puree and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in tomatoes, 3/4 cup cilantro and sesame oil. Cool to room temperature. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to medium bowl. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
• Garnish eggplant salsa with 1 tablespoon each green onions and cilantro. Serve with Parmesan Pita Crisps.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH CAPONATA SALSA

Steps:

• Mix tomatoes, celery, onion, olives, chopped oregano, capers, garlic, and crushed red pepper in medium bowl. Whisk red wine vinegar and 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil in small bowl; pour over tomato mixture and toss to coat. Season caponata to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Caponata can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Peel eggplant lengthwise to create alternating 2-inch-wide intervals of peeled and unpeeled skin. Cut eggplant crosswise into 6 slices, each about 1 inch thick. Brush eggplant slices with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill eggplant slices until slightly charred and very tender when pierced with knife, about 8 minutes per side.
• Place 1 grilled eggplant slice on each of 6 plates. Spoon caponata over, garnish with oregano sprigs, and serve warm or at room temperature.

LINDA'S SUMMERTIME EGGPLANT SALSA

Steps:

• Toss the eggplant with the kosher salt and spread out onto a microwave-safe plate. Cook in the microwave on High until the eggplant is dry and has shriveled to 1/3 of its original size, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
• Whisk the tomato juice cocktail, vinegar, red wine, brown sugar, parsley, and anchovies together in a large bowl. Stir in the tomatoes, raisins, black olives, green olives, zucchini, yellow squash, celery, red bell pepper, and carrot; set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the eggplant and cook, stirring occasionally, until the edges have browned, 4 to 8 minutes. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil along with the celery and onion. Cook and stir until the onion has softened, about 4 minutes more. Stir in the vegetable mixture and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered until the liquid thickens and begins to coat the vegetables, 4 to 7 minutes more. Scrape into a bowl and stir in the pine nuts. Refrigerate to room temperature. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese and serve.

FETA-STUFFED EGGPLANT ROLLS WITH SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Cut eggplant lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices and arrange 6 center slices on an oiled baking sheet in one layer, reserving remaining eggplant for another use. Brush eggplant with oil and season with salt.
• Broil eggplant about 3 inches from heat until golden, about 5 minutes. Carefully turn eggplant with a metal spatula and broil until golden, about 4 minutes more. Transfer eggplant to a platter large enough to hold slices in one layer and cool. (Eggplant may be prepared up to this point 3 hours ahead and kept, covered loosely, at room temperature.)
• In a small bowl with a fork mash together feta, ricotta, mint, and salt and pepper to taste. Cut peppers lengthwise into pieces about same width as eggplant slices.
• Assemble rolls:
• Top eggplant slices with pepper pieces, arranging them in one layer. Put 1 tablespoon cheese mixture near narrow end of each slice and into it gently press 4 or 5 arugula or spinach leaves so that they stick out on both sides. Beginning with cheese end, roll up each slice to enclose cheese mixture and leaves. (Rolls may be made 2 hours ahead and kept, covered loosely, at room temperature.)
• Serve rolls drizzled with salsa verde.

BAKED BREADED EGGPLANTS WITH SALSA AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Cut off both ends of each eggplant and carefully slice eggplant lengthways into ½" slices. Place the slices into a large dish, sprinkle each slice with coarse sea salt and let them sit for about 15-30 minutes. This will take out the moisture and any bitterness from the eggplant.
• Rinse salt off eggplant and pat dry well with dish towels or paper towels.
• Season pretzel breadcrumbs with nutmeg, oregano, thyme, black pepper and Parmesan cheese.
• Dip each eggplant slice into the whisked eggs, removing any excess egg before dipping into breadcrumbs. Press eggplant slices into breadcrumbs on both sides until well coated.
• Place breaded slices onto a large baking sheet lined with silicone baking mat or parchment paper and sprinkle with olive oil. Bake in the oven at 200°C for about 15 minutes, then flip each slice over and bake for another 10 minutes until eggplant slices are golden brown. Take the baking sheet out of the oven.
• Meanwhile, make the tomato salsa: sauté garlic in olive oil over medium heat for 1 minute, then add tomatoes, cook for 2 minutes until most of liquid has evaporated. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cover each eggplant slice with tomato salsa, pancetta slices torn into smaller pieces and mozzarella. Return to the oven for 5 minutes to melt the cheese.