Creamy Eggplant Mushroom Monte Cristo Recipes

CREAMY MUSHROOM, EGGPLANT, AND SALAMI BAKED PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic is golden, about 2 minutes. Add both cans of the tomatoes, the oregano and 1 cup of water. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat slightly and simmer rapidly, uncovered, until thick, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the ricotta and season with salt and pepper.
• While the sauce simmers, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Add the eggplant and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl with a slotted spoon. Add the mushrooms to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 6 minutes; transfer to the bowl with eggplant.
• Cook the shells in the water until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain the pasta and add it to the bowl with the eggplant and mushrooms.
• Add the tomato sauce, salami, half the Asiago and half of the Parmesan to the bowl and stir well to combine. Transfer the pasta to a 3- to 4-quart baking dish and top with the remaining Asiago and Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, until browned, about 15 minutes. Let the pasta rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

ROASTED EGGPLANT AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Place eggplant, zucchini, onion and mushrooms in a 2 quart casserole dish. In a small bowl combine the tomato paste with the water, and stir in garlic, basil, salt and pepper. Pour over the vegetables and mix well.
• Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until eggplant is tender, stirring occasionally. Add water as necessary if vegetables begin to stick; however, vegetables should be fairly dry, with slightly browned edges.

CREAMY EGGPLANT & MUSHROOM MONTE CRISTO

Steps:

• In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add eggplant; cook 2-3 minutes on each side or until tender and lightly browned. Remove from pan., In same pan, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat. Add mushrooms; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until tender. Add garlic, salt and pepper; cook 1 minute longer. Remove from pan; wipe skillet clean., In a shallow bowl, whisk eggs and milk until blended. Spread 1 tablespoon herb cheese over each slice of bread. Layer 4 slices with eggplant and mushrooms; top with remaining bread., In same pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Carefully dip both sides of sandwiches in egg mixture, allowing each side to soak 5 seconds. Place 2 sandwiches in skillet; toast 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Repeat with remaining oil and sandwiches.

THE BIG EGG MONTE CRISTO

Steps:

• For the French toast batter: Whisk the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, cardamom, salt, cream and vanilla in a bowl until blended.
• Dip the bread in the batter and cover all sides. Put the breadcrumbs on a plate and coat the dipped bread in the breadcrumbs.
• Add butter to a pan on medium-high heat to melt and place coated bread in the pan.
• Once it is golden brown, add more butter and flip the bread over. Remove the French toast from the pan once golden brown.
• Pour the maple syrup on each piece of toast. Crumble Gorgonzola cheese on one piece of French toast per sandwich. Grill off the Black Forest ham and place on top of the cheese.
• Cook an egg (any style) and place on top of the ham.
• Put the other piece of French toast on top of the ham and dust with powdered sugar.

CREAMY EGGPLANT CAMPANELLE

Steps:

• While the pasta is cooking, add enough olive oil to coat the bottom of a large frying pan. Heat over medium heat. Add garlic to hot oil and saute until tender, but not brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Add eggplant, salt, and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high and cook until eggplant is tender and browned, about 15 minutes.
• While the eggplant is cooking, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add campanelle and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain.
• Add cream cheese and 1/2 cup milk to the eggplant; stir to combine. Add more milk if necessary to make a smooth cream sauce. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook until warmed through, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Serve eggplant mixture over pasta and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

EGGPLANT AND CREAM ON PASTA

Steps:

• To make the seasoning mix, combine the peppercorns, dry mustard, onion powder, salt, garlic powder, basil leaves and white pepper in a small bowl and set aside. Combine the cottage cheese, skim milk and cream cheese in a blender and process until smooth. Set aside. Heat a heavy 10-inch skillet, preferably nonstick, over high heat for about four minutes.
• Combine 1 cup of the eggplant, 1 cup of the onions, 1 cup of the mushrooms, and 2 tablespoons of the seasoning mix in the skillet. Stir and cook for two to three minutes.
• Add 1 cup of the apple juice and cook, scraping the bottom occasionally, until all the liquid evaporates and a glaze forms, about 15 minutes. Add the remaining apple juice, scrape the bottom of the skillet, and add the chicken stock, and the remaining eggplant, onions, mushrooms and seasoning mix. Stir, bring to a boil, and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat and whisk the cottage cheese mixture into the sauce until blended. Add drained pasta, toss, and serve.