Eggplant And Country Ham Ragù Recipes

EGGPLANT RAGù WITH CAPERS AND BURRATA

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until onions start to brown, 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook until lightly caramelized, another 10 to 15 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.
• Use your hands to break up the tomatoes in the can, squishing them into the skillet. Pour in the tomato juices. Fill tomato can halfway with water and stir that water into the skillet. Add half the basil leaves, season with salt and black pepper to taste, and red-pepper flakes, then simmer vigorously until tomatoes break down and sauce has thickened, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the broiler, and place the rack 4 inches from the heat source.
• Cube 1 1/2 of the eggplants into 1 1/4-inch cubes (about 7 cups). Save remaining half an eggplant for garnish. Arrange cubed eggplant in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Toss eggplant thoroughly with remaining 4 tablespoons oil, then season to taste with salt.
• Broil eggplant until browned on one side, 5 to 6 minutes. Flip the pieces and broil until browned and tender, 6 to 8 minutes. (If your eggplant starts to burn, move the baking sheet to a lower rack.)
• To make the garnish of eggplant slices, slice remaining eggplant lengthwise into long, thin 1/4-inch-thick slices. Place flour on a plate, and generously coat both sides of each eggplant slice.
• In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat 1 inch of oil to 350 degrees. Fry eggplant, in batches, until golden, about 1 to 2 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through. Transfer to a separate paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt.
• In a medium bowl, fold together burrata and ricotta.
• To serve, gently stir broiled eggplant into tomato sauce until evenly coated. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until the eggplant is warmed through. Transfer to serving bowls, and spoon burrata mixture on top. Garnish with remaining basil leaves, crisp eggplant slices and the capers if you like.

RAGÚ® NO-FRYING EGGPLANT PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place bread crumbs in medium bowl.
• Dip eggplant slices in egg mixture, then bread crumbs. Arrange eggplant slices in single layer on lightly oiled baking sheets. Bake until eggplant is golden, about 25 minutes.
• Evenly spread 1 cup Sauce in 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Layer ½ of the baked eggplant slices, then 1 cup Sauce and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese; repeat layers. Cover with aluminum foil and bake 45 minutes.
• Remove foil and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake uncovered until cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.

EGGPLANT AND COUNTRY HAM RAGù

Steps:

• Heat 3 Tbsp. oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high. Add half of eggplant, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring often, until browned and tender, 5-8 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl. Repeat with 3 Tbsp. oil and remaining eggplant. Heat remaining 2 Tbsp. oil over medium in same skillet and add ham, onion, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add chiles, cocoa powder, and tomato paste, stirring to coat. Cook, stirring frequently, until tomato paste has turned a dark brick red and cocoa powder smells toasty, about 3 minutes.
• Add tomato sauce, reserved eggplant, and 1 cup water, scraping up any browned bits. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce has thickened and flavors have melded, 25-30 minutes. Add fish sauce and season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain, reserving 2 cups pasta cooking liquid.
• Add pasta to pot with sauce along with butter and 1 cup pasta cooking liquid. Bring to a simmer and cook, tossing frequently, until a thick glossy sauce forms and coats pasta, adding more cooking liquid as needed. Divide among bowls and top with Parmesan and parsley.

ITALIAN EGGPLANT RAGOUT

Steps:

• Scoop out center and seeds of eggplant halves. Cut eggplants into 3/4 inch dice. Toss with salt in bowl and let it stand for at least 20 minutes. Drain off the fluid that collects, rinse well, and pat dry.
• Heat olive oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and saute until softened (about 5 minutes.) Add garlic, and cook 1 minute more, or until fragrant. Stir in tomatoes, chickpeas, and eggplants. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook 15 minutes, or until eggplants are tender but not mushy.
• Stir in capers and sugar, and cook 2 minutes more. Fold in parsley, and season with black pepper.

MARIO'S EGGPLANT RAGU

Steps:

• Sprinkle the eggplant with 1 tablespoon salt and drain in a colander for 30 minutes. Rinse, pat dry and cut in 1/4-inch dice.
• In a large skillet, heat the oil over high heat. Add the eggplant, peppers and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes. Lower the heat to medium and cover. Cook for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the tomatoes and cook, uncovered, stirring, for 5 minutes. Season with 1 tablespoon salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the basil and let sit for 5 minutes before serving with pasta or polenta.

BEEF AND EGGPLANT RAGU

Steps:

• Cook beef, garlic and fennel seeds in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, until the beef is browned, about 3 minutes.
• Add eggplant and oil; cook, stirring occasionally, until the eggplant browns, about 5 minutes.
• Add tomato sauce and wine; cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in oregano, salt and pepper.
• Serve topped with the sauce and sprinkled with pine nuts and feta, if using.