Fusilli With Grilled Eggplant And Fresh Tomatoes Recipes

EGGPLANT AND FETA WITH FUSILLI

Steps:

• Turn on broiler. Bring water to boil for pasta in covered pot.
• Wash and trim the eggplant (do not peel) and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Cover broiler pan with aluminum foil and arrange slices on pan. Spray tops of eggplant with pan spray, and broil 2 or 3 inches from source of heat until tops are brown.
• Chop all the onion. Heat a nonstick pan large enough to hold all the sauce ingredients until it is very hot. Reduce heat to medium high, and add oil. Saute the onion until it begins to soften and brown.
• Meanwhile, mince the garlic; chop the tomatoes. Check the eggplant: if it is browned, turn, spray with nonstick spray and continue to broil. It takes about 10 minutes broiling time to cook the eggplant.
• Add the garlic to the onions when they have softened, and saute for 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste and vinegar; reduce heat to low and continue cooking.
• Chop the oregano and thyme, and add to the sauce as it cooks.
• Cook the pasta.
• When the eggplant is ready, cut it into small chunks (about 1 inch) and stir into the sauce.
• Pit the olives, and chop and add to the sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
• Wash and chop the parsley.
• When the pasta is cooked, drain and stir in the sauce. Stir in the cheese and parsley, and serve with the bread.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH TOMATOES, BASIL, AND FETA

Steps:

• Generously season eggplant slices with salt. Place vertically in a colander, overlapping them. Let stand 30 minutes; rinse and pat dry.
• Preheat grill to medium-high. Liberally brush cut sides of eggplant with oil. Grill, turning once, until tender, about 4 minutes a side. Mix tomatoes, pine nuts, feta, red-pepper flakes, and oil; season with salt. Spoon over eggplant; top with basil.

FUSILLI WITH TOMATO, ARUGULA, AND FETA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat, then salt it generously. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally until al dente ?o tender but not mushy. Drain the pasta in a colander in the sink. Rinse with cold water, then shake off excess water.
• Meanwhile, put the onions in a small bowl of cold water.
• Put the tomatoes in a large bowl and season with 1 teaspoon of salt and some pepper. Chop the oregano with the garlic and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Then use the flat side of the knife to mash and smear the mixture to a coarse paste. Scatter garlic mixture over the tomatoes. Cut the peppers about the same size as the tomatoes, and add to the salad. Drain the onions, pat dry, and add to the tomato mixture. Add the vinegar and olive oil and toss together. Add the drained pasta and toss well. (The salad can be prepared up to this point 2 hours ahead and refrigerated.)
• Just before serving mix the arugula leaves into the salad, then add the cheese and toss lightly. Taste the salad and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve.

FUSILLI WITH TOMATOES, EGGPLANT AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Slice the eggplant and sprinkle with salt. Leave them for 30 minutes, then pat them dry with paper towels.
• Preheat grill or broiler. Brush the eggplant slices on both sides with olive oil and sprinkle them with garlic. Grill them until tender and set aside. When the eggplant has cooled, chop it into half-inch pieces.
• Meanwhile, bring six quarts salted water to a rolling boil and add the fusilli. Cook until al dente.
• While the pasta is cooking, chop the oregano and saute it in the remaining olive oil for one to two minutes. Add the olives, tomatoes and eggplant and heat them through.
• Drain the fusilli. Put the sauce in a heated serving bowl and add the pasta. Toss well and add the pine nuts. Season with salt and pepper and serve. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese should be passed separately.

FUSILLI WITH GRILLED EGGPLANT AND FRESH TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat broiler qnd adjust rack 4 inches from heat source.
• Lightly coat baking tray with olive oil and arrange eggplant in single layer.
• Sprinkle with salt, drizzle tops with olive oil, and broil until lightly charred, about 5 minutes per side.
• Cool and cut into 1/4 diagonal strips, across width.
• In small saucepan over high heat, cook olive oil with garlic until aroma is released.
• Add tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Reduce to simmer, and cook until tomatoes release their liquid, about 10 minutes.
• Toss pasta with tomato mixture. Add eggplant, basil, and a few handfuls of Parmesan and toss well.
• Serve with additional Parmesan.

FUSILLI WITH FRESH TOMATO AND OLIVE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add olives, chopped onion, chopped garlic and crushed red pepper and sauté until onion begins to soften, about 4 minutes. Add tomatoes and tomato paste and stir until tomatoes are just warmed through, about 2 minutes. Mix in red wine vinegar. Add cooked pasta, 1 cup Parmesan cheese and fresh basil and toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to large bowl. Serve with remaining Parmesan cheese.