Grilled Eggplant Risotto Recipes

GRILLED MISO GLAZED JAPANESE EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Preheat grill to medium (grill side, not hot plate) or a heavy based pan over medium heat. It's important only to use medium heat because otherwise the eggplant will burn before it cooks through.
• Combine the Miso Glaze ingredients and whisk to combine and remove lumps.
• Brush the cut side of each eggplant with the oil. Do it 2 to 3 times to use up all the oil.
• Place the cut side down on the grill and cook for 4 minutes until it turns a light golden brown.
• Turn over, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. While it is cooking, use a spoon to spread a generous amount of Miso Glaze on the cut side of each eggplant.
• Squeeze the side of the eggplant with your tongs (or fingers if you can handle the heat!) to check for doneness - it should be squishy and soft.
• Turn over and grill just for 30 seconds to 1 minute, just to caramelise the glaze.
• Remove from grill, garnish with shallots and sesame seeds and serve immediately.

BALSAMIC GRILLED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Preheat a grill or a grill pan, over medium-high heat. I like to use a dual-contact electric grill when making this recipe.
• Trim the eggplant edges and slice crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. You should get about 12 rounds out of a large eggplant.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Brush the eggplant rounds with the mixture, on both sides. Set aside any remaining sauce.
• Grill the eggplant slices until golden brown and fork-tender, about 5 minutes on each side. In my dual-contact electric grill, I grill 5 minutes on one side, then 2 minutes on the second side.
• Brush the eggplant slices with the remaining marinade and serve.

PERFECT GRILLED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Meanwhile, heat a charcoal or gas grill to medium-high heat. You should be able to hold your hand about an inch above the cooking grate for 3 to 4 seconds before pulling it away from the heat.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH RICOTTA AND TOMATO

Steps:

• Heat the grill to high.
• Brush the eggplant slices with some of the oil.
• Grill the eggplant slices on both sides until brown, then place them in the bottom of a lightly greased, small shallow baking pan that will fit under the grill, and set aside.
• Over a medium heat, add the rest of the oil to a small sauté pan (preferably non-stick), add the cherry tomatoes and garlic and sauté for a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to soften.
• While still stirring, add the capers and leave the pan over the heat for an additional minute.
• Remove the pan from the heat.
• Cover the eggplant slices with the tomato, garlic and capers, season to taste and spoon the ricotta over the tomatoes. (The amount of ricotta included in the ingredients may not completely cover the tomatoes; if you want to cover the tomatoes, use more ricotta.).
• Place the baking pan under the grill until the ricotta starts to bubble.
• Scatter the basil leaves over the top and serve.

GRILLED EGGPLANT RISOTTO

Steps:

• Light a grill.
• Rub the eggplant with 1/2 tablespoon of the oil and grill over moderate heat, turning occasionally, until charred and soft, 20 minutes; let cool slightly.
• Halve the eggplant lengthwise and scoop the pulp into a blender; puree until creamy.
• In a large saucepan, melt the butter in the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil.
• Add the onion, shallot, garlic and rice and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until fragrant, 5 minutes.
• Add the wine and cook until it is absorbed.
• Add the vegetable stock with crushed red pepper flakes, 1/2 cup at a time; stir constantly until it is absorbed before adding more.
• Cook until the rice is al dente, 20 minutes total.
• Stir in the eggplant puree and the cream and season with salt and pepper.
• Stir in the parsley and scallions.
• Spoon the risotto into bowls, sprinkle with sumac and serve.