Grilled Eggplant Capri Recipes

GRILLED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Mix soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil together in a small bowl. Coat eggplant slices in sauce. Place on preheated grill, carefully, as they will flame up.
• Cook each eggplant slice until deep brown, about 5 minutes per side.

GRILLED EGGPLANT PARMESAN

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the hot coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only to medium-high heat.
• Peel the eggplants lengthwise in 1-inch intervals to create stripes (this helps with oiliness) then slice each eggplant crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. Add the eggplant to a large bowl with the olive oil. Sprinkle in the oregano and toss to combine. Season well with salt and cracked black pepper.
• Place the seasoned eggplant slices over direct heat and cook until nicely charred and beginning to soften, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Move the slices over indirect heat to finish cooking as you add more pieces to direct heat. Top each piece with a slice of tomato and a slice of mozzarella. Close the grill and allow the cheese to melt and the tomato to warm through.
• Remove the eggplant to a baking sheet and grate Parmesan all over the top. Place the baking sheet back on the grill over direct heat to warm up and melt the Parmesan. Transfer to a platter and top with torn basil leaves and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve!

GRILLED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Sprinkle eggplant slices with salt on both sides. Place in a colander set over a bowl; let stand 1 hour to drain. Discard liquid; rinse eggplant slices under cold running water. Place on several layers of paper towels, and press out water.
• Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Generously brush both sides of eggplant slices with oil; sprinkle with pepper. Place on grill, and cook until browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Flip eggplant slices, and cook until browned on bottom. Serve hot, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper.

SPICY GRILLED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Brush eggplant slices with oil. Drizzle with lime juice; sprinkle with Cajun seasoning. Let stand 5 minutes. , Grill eggplant, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat until tender, 4-5 minutes per side.

GRILLED EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook garlic and red-pepper flakes, stirring, 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and salt and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in basil and parmesan.
• Prepare a gas grill for direct-heat cooking over moderate heat.
• Trim 1/4 inch off 2 opposite long sides of each eggplant. Cut each eggplant lengthwise (in same direction as trimmed sides so each slice has skin just around edge) into 4 slices. Brush slices with remaining 2 tablespoons oil.
• Grill eggplant, covered, turning over once, until tender, about 6 minutes total. Transfer to a work surface.
• Spread top of each slice with about 1 tablespoon tomato sauce and top with a slice of mozzarella, then restack each eggplant. Transfer stacks to a shallow baking pan and grill, covered, just until cheese is melted, about 4 minutes.

GRILLED-EGGPLANT PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat grill to medium-high. Brush cut sides of tomatoes and shallot with 1 tablespoon oil. Grill, cut-side down, until charred in spots, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip and continue cooking until vegetables soften slightly, 2 to 3 minutes more. Transfer to a cutting board. When cool enough to handle, roughly chop and transfer to a bowl; season with salt and pepper.
• Brush both sides of eggplants with remaining 3 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper. Grill, turning once, until lightly charred in places and almost tender, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
• Top eggplants with mozzarella. Return to grill and cook, covered, until cheese melts, 1 to 2 minutes. Top evenly with tomato mixture, sprinkle with basil, drizzle with oil, and serve with torn rustic bread.

GRILLED EGGPLANT CAPONATA

Steps:

• Light the grill: Place a chimney starter on the grate of a charcoal grill. Add newspaper in the bottom, then fill the top with charcoal. Light the newspaper; the fire will light the charcoal. When the charcoal is mature with ashed-over gray embers (about 30-45 minutes later), pour the charcoal from the chimney into the bottom of the grill. Set the grill rack aside-you won't need it for this recipe.
• Roast the vegetables and make the vinaigrette: Place the eggplant, leeks, zucchini, peppers, tomatoes, and garlic scapes directly onto the coals in an even layer. Stand the bunch of spring onions up so the bulbs are in the coals and the stalks are leaning against the side of the grill (this will create a natural handle for easy removal). Cook 10-15 minutes, turning the vegetables once to ensure they char evenly. Meanwhile, make the vinaigrette: In a mortar, combine the capers, anchovies, shallots, a big pinch of salt, and pepper. Using the pestle, crush and grind the mixture to break it down to a chunky mash. Transfer to a large bowl; stir in the vinegar and olive oil to saturate and combine. Season with lots of black pepper. Set aside.
• Finish roasting the vegetables: The vegetables are done when they're charred and soft. The tomatoes will be done first, followed by the leeks, peppers, zucchini, eggplant, and spring onions. Remove the tomatoes and add them directly into the vinaigrette; crush them with the back of a spoon to release juices. Chop the onions into fourths, discarding the charred stalks, and add to bowl. Chop the eggplant into chunks, add to bowl, and stir to combine; the eggplant will start to absorb the oil. Add the chopped celery and leaves; then chiffonade all the herbs, add them to the bowl, and stir thoroughly. Chop the zucchini and add to the bowl. Chop the peppers, discarding the seeds but keeping the charred skin, and add to the bowl. Stir while the vegetables are still hot so they will absorb all of the vinaigrette. Season to taste with more salt and pepper.
• Assemble the caponata: Cut the bread into big chunks and place on the coals to toast for a few minutes until lightly charred. Cut the mozzarella into rustic pieces (or tear by hand) and place on a serving platter. Arrange the caponata next to the mozzarella, hand-tear the toasted bread, and add it to the platter. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and serve.

GRILLED EGGPLANT CAPRI

Steps:

• For Marinara:.
• Put tomatoes in pot, mash with a whisk.
• After the tomatoes come to a boil, add all of the seasonings and oil, let simmer for 10 minutes.
• For Wilted Spinach:.
• Heat extra virgin olive oil and garlic in sauté pan until garlic is golden brown.
• Add spinach and the rest of seasonings until spinach wilts down by half.
• Slice eggplant into 1/4-inch slices.
• Season with sea salt, cracked black pepper, and olive oil.
• Place on preheated char broiler until very tender. (Or place under oven broiler).
• Make three layers. Place grilled eggplant slices in baking pan.
• Add 2 oz wilted spinach and 2 slices mozzarella. Repeat for a second layer.
• Cap off with a piece of grilled eggplant.
• Place in a 500°F oven and cook for 10 minutes.
• Ladle heated marinara on plate. Place eggplant on top. Finish with a pour of olive oil and shaved Parmigiana.

GRILLED EGGPLANT AND FRESH MOZZARELLA SALAD

Steps:

• Set up a grill for cooking with direct and indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only.
• Peel the eggplants and slice into 1/2-inch-thick rings. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil on both sides. Place on the direct-heat side of the grill and char, cooking until softened, about 2 minutes per side. Remove to a cutting board and cut each slice into quarters.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, Dijon and honey. Drizzle in 1/2 cup of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. In a large bowl, combine the arugula, mozzarella, onion and eggplant. Dress with the vinaigrette and serve!

CHARRED EGGPLANT WITH BURRATA AND FRIED CAPERS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan or skillet, heat ¼ cup olive oil over medium-high until it shimmers, about 1 minute. Meanwhile, dry the capers very well by wrapping them in paper towels or a clean dish towel and wringing out the moisture. (If there is too much moisture, the oil will sputter aggressively.) Line a plate or tray with paper towels or a clean dish towel.
• When the oil is ready, carefully drop the capers in and fry for 2 to 3 minutes, until golden. (Watch closely, as smaller capers will cook more quickly.) Remove the capers from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on the lined plate. They will crisp up further as they cool.
• Transfer the caper-infused oil to a large heatproof bowl and set aside to cool for a few minutes.
• Lay the disks of eggplant on a large cutting board or sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil, flip over and drizzle the other side. Heat a large (12-inch) grill pan or cast-iron skillet on medium-high. (See Tip for grilling instructions.) When hot, working in batches, add the eggplant disks in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes, pressing the eggplant into the pan to encourage browning. Flip, reduce heat to medium and cook on the other side for another 2 to 3 minutes, until completely tender. (The eggplant continues to soften as it soaks up the marinade in the next step, so don't be tempted to overcook.) Remove the eggplant from the pan and place them back on the cutting board or plate. Continue cooking the remaining eggplant.
• Meanwhile, to the bowl with the cooled caper-infused oil, add the herbs, garlic, red-pepper flakes, lemon zest and juice, ½ teaspoon of kosher salt and a few pinches of black pepper. Toss to combine and taste, making sure it has enough salt. Add the warm eggplant slices to the oil and gently toss to coat. Allow to marinate for at least 5 minutes (see Tip).
• Serve this on one large platter or as four separate servings. Place the burrata (for single servings, halve each ball of burrata) on the plate along with the eggplant and top with any remaining marinade and the fried capers, and scatter with fresh herbs.

GRILLED EGGPLANT CAPONATA

Steps:

• Soak currants in hot water for 15 minutes. Drain and put aside.
• Brush eggplant and onion slices with olive oil on both sides, using the 1/3 cup oil.
• Grill onion slices over a medium-hot fire until lightly charred but cooked through, about 7 minutes per side. Grill eggplant slices for about 5 minutes on each side, until slices are soft inside and outsides have become slightly charred.
• Remove eggplant and onion slices and cool briefly. Remove outer skin from onion slices.
• Drain tomatoes, reserving juice. In a large bowl mix reserved tomato juice with cocoa powder until cocoa dissolves. Chop tomatoes and add to mixture. Then mix in currants, capers, anchovies, green olives, calamata olives, jalapeno pepper and parsley. Coarsely chop eggplant and onions and fold into tomato mixture. Stir in vinegar and the 1/4 cup olive oil. Season with kosher salt. Let stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.

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.

MARIO BATALI'S CAPRI-STYLE GRILLED VEGETABLE SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat a gas grill or prepare a fire in a charcoal grill.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, garlic, oregano, cumin, mustard, pepper flakes, olive oil, and orange juice (reserve the zest for garnish). Set aside.
• Cut the eggplant into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Cut the peppers into quarters and remove the cores and seeds. If using baby zucchini, remove the blossoms and set aside; cut the zucchini lengthwise in half. If using small zucchini, cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices (discard the first and last slice from each). Cut the onions into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Trim the scallions. Snap off the tough bottom parts of the asparagus stalks.
• Place the vegetables on two large baking sheets. Brush lightly with some of the marinade and season lightly with salt. Place on the grill over medium-high to high heat (you will probably have to cook the vegetables in batches) and cook, turning once or twice, until tender and slightly charred on both sides: the eggplant will take about 8 to 10 minutes, the peppers 10 to 12 minutes, the zucchini 6 to 8 minutes, the onions and scallions 4 to 6 minutes,and the asparagus 5 to 7 minutes. Remove each vegetable from the grill as it is done and return to the baking sheets.
• Cut the peppers into 1/2-inch-wide strips. Arrange the vegetables decoratively on a large serving platter and drizzle with the remaining marinade. Sprinkle with the orange zest, the zucchini blossoms if you have them, and the basil. Serve warm or at room temperature.