Eggplant Mushroom Pasta Toss Recipes

EGGPLANT-MUSHROOM PASTA TOSS

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook eggplant in oil over medium heat for 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and garlic; cook 3-4 minutes longer or until vegetables are tender. , Stir in the tomatoes, water, tomato paste, oregano, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Stir in olives; heat through. , Drain pasta; toss with eggplant mixture. Sprinkle with feta cheese and parsley.

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.

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.

EGGPLANT AND WILD MUSHROOM PASTA WITH RICOTTA SALATA

Steps:

• Combine the porcinis and chicken stock in a small pot and bring up to a boil. Reduce the heat to lowest setting and let the mushrooms soften and steep for 10 to 15 minutes, until very tender.
• Place a pot of water on the stove to boil for the pasta. When it boils, salt the water to season it. Cut a small x into the bottom of the tomatoes and plunge them into the boiling pasta water for 30 seconds, then remove to a cutting board to cool. Add the cavatappi to the water and cook to al dente, or with a bite to it.
• While the porcinis and pasta cook, trim half of the skin from the eggplant.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cut the eggplant into 1- by 1/2-inch bite-size pieces. Add the EVOO to the pan, followed by the garlic and eggplant. Turn and toss the eggplant and season it with salt and pepper. Let it brown lightly at edges, about 5 minutes, then reduce heat to medium low and continue to cook.
• Pull the skins off the cooled tomatoes and cut them in half. Seed the tomatoes by gently squeezing them over the sink or a garbage bowl. Dice the tomatoes and add them to the cooking eggplant. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Remove the tender porcinis from the cooking broth and coarsely chop them. Add the broth and chopped mushrooms to the eggplant and tomatoes. Drain the pasta well and add the hot pasta to the pan. Toss to combine and coat and give the pasta a minute to soak in some juice. Add the ricotta salata and the basil; turn to wilt the basil, check the seasoning one last time, and serve.
• Options
• If your market has no ricotta salata (ricotta cheese that's been dried out a little), then use the same amount of feta but go easy on the salt you use in your preparation until your final adjustment because feta is saltier than ricotta salata. Tangy young goat cheese is an option, too. If you use goat cheese, toss and serve the dish without adding the goat cheese directly to the pan. Instead, garnish the individual plates with some crumbles, 2 ounces per portion. Goat cheese is too delicate to mix in as you would the feta or ricotta salata.

ZUCCHINI PASTA WITH MUSHROOMS, EGGPLANT AND ROASTED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Halve the zucchini lengthwise. Using a vegetable / potato peeler, peel long thin strands of zucchini (so that they somewhat resemble fettuccine). If desired, allow to sit at room temperature, uncovered, for a couple of hours -- this improves the texture of the zucchini.
• TO COOK THE ZUCCHINI:.
• Heat 4 cups of (salted) water to boiling. Cook the zucchini strands in the boiling water for one to two minutes, and then immediately rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking process.
• TO COOK THE OTHER VEGETABLES:.
• Put the mushrooms in a microwave-safe dish and cook on high until the mushrooms are soft, about five minutes. Repeat with the eggplant, adding it to the mushrooms so that it cooks in the mushroom's juices. Add the roasted peppers to the vegetables and microwave for one minute.
• In a large bowl, toss the zucchini with the rest of the vegetables and 3/4 c pasta sauce. Spoon onto serving plates and top with the remaining 1/4 c sauce.

ITALIAN MUSHROOM AND EGGPLANT SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°.
• Place eggplant and garlic cloves on an oiled baking sheet.
• Brush with olive oil and bake about 20 minutes or until tender.
• Let cool; then remove the skin from the eggplant and coarsely chop the pulp; smash teh garlic to squeeze teh cloves out of their skins.
• Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat; stir/saute the onion for about 5 minutes or until softened.
• Transfer onion mixture, roasted eggplant, and smashed garlic to the slow cooker.
• Add in the tomatoes, tomato paste, mushrooms, wine, and oregano; stir to combine.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours.
• Add in parsley and season to taste with salt and pepper during the last hour.
• The sauce will hold on LOW for a few hours.
• It will keep, refrigerated, for 3-5 days.
• Serve over hot cooked ziti.