Marinated Peppers And Eggplant Recipes

ROASTED PEPPER AND EGGPLANT MARINARA

Steps:

• Char the skins of sweet and hot peppers to black under a broiler with oven door slightly ajar, to prevent steam build up or place directly over stovetop flame. Cover the charred peppers and cool, peel, and seed. Reserve.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Cut head garlic to expose the cloves, dress in extra-virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Press the garlic into the chopped rosemary and coat the cut cloves. Wrap the garlic up in foil and roast 40 to 45 minutes, until soft but still moist.
• Halve the eggplant lengthwise and brush with extra-virgin olive oil. Season the eggplant with salt and pepper and place cut-side down on baking sheet and roast to very tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Cool the eggplant until easy to handle, then scoop the flesh away from skins and add to a food processor with roasted garlic and roasted sweet and hot peppers, then puree.
• In saucepan, heat the stock and tomatoes. If the tomatoes are whole, break them up. Stir in the eggplant-pepper mixture and add basil and oregano, salt, and pepper, to taste.
• Simmer sauce to combine flavors then cool and store for make-ahead meal.
• Reheat over medium heat.
• Boil long, curly pasta in salted water to al dente, toss the pasta with sauce and serve with cheese and a sprinkle fresh parsley.

EGGPLANT LASAGNA WITH MARINATED RED PEPPER AND ARUGULA SALAD

Steps:

• For the marinara: Preheat the canola oil in a deep fryer to 350 degrees F. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add the eggplant and fry until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the onion and carrot, reduce the heat and cook until the vegetables are soft, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic, Fresno peppers, basil, guanciale and parsley and cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juices, sugar, salt and pepper and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Using an immersion blender, puree the sauce until smooth and finish with the butter.
• For the seasoned breadcrumbs: Combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, olive oil, parsley, garlic and oregano in a shallow baking dish.
• For the eggplant: Combine the flour, salt and pepper in a shallow baking dish. Whisk the eggs with 1/2 cup of water in a second shallow baking dish. Dredge each eggplant slice in the seasoned flour. Shake off any excess flour and place each slice into the egg wash. Once fully coated in the egg wash, dip the slices into the seasoned breadcrumbs. Repeat this process until all the eggplant slices are finished and fully coated.
• Cook the coated eggplant slices in the deep fryer in batches until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from the oil and pat dry. Line a 9- by 5-inch baking dish with 1 cup of the marinara. Arrange a layer of fried eggplant slices on top of the marinara. Cover with another 1/2 cup of marinara, 1/4 cup of mozzarella and 1 tablespoon of Parmesan. Repeat this process 2 more times. Add 1 more layer of fried eggplant slices followed by 1/2 cup of marinara.
• Use parchment paper to gently press the eggplant down into the baking dish for a snug fit. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella and 1 tablespoon Parmesan. Bake until the cheese is golden brown, about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.
• For the marinated peppers: Turn on the broiler.
• Gently toss the red and yellow bell peppers in 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Transfer to a roasting pan and broil until all sides are charred. Set aside at room temperature until cool enough to touch, about 5 minutes. Peel the peppers, remove the seeds and cut the flesh into large strips.
• Combine the garlic, anchovies, Calabrian chiles and the remaining 1/3 cup olive oil in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium high heat until lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the red wine vinegar, brown sugar and salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat and continue to cook until the mixture thickens slightly, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add the roasted peppers to the saucepan and let them sit for 5 minutes. Remove the peppers and set aside.
• To serve: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Lay the rounds of pancetta on the prepared baking sheet and bake until crispy and golden, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Toss the marinated peppers with the arugula and chives in a large bowl. Arrange the salad on a serving platter and garnish with the pancetta and shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano. Serve with the eggplant Parmesan.
• For the marinara: Preheat the canola oil in a deep fryer to 350 degrees F. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add the eggplant and fry until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the onion and carrot, reduce the heat and cook until the vegetables are soft, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic, Fresno peppers, basil, guanciale and parsley and cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juices, sugar, salt and pepper and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Using an immersion blender, puree the sauce until smooth and finish with the butter.
• For the seasoned breadcrumbs: Combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, olive oil, parsley, garlic and oregano in a shallow baking dish.
• For the eggplant: Combine the flour, salt and pepper in a shallow baking dish. Whisk the eggs with 1/2 cup of water in a second shallow baking dish. Dredge each eggplant slice in the seasoned flour. Shake off any excess flour and place each slice into the egg wash. Once fully coated in the egg wash, dip the slices into the seasoned breadcrumbs. Repeat this process until all the eggplant slices are finished and fully coated.
• Cook the coated eggplant slices in the deep fryer in batches until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from the oil and pat dry. Line a 9- by 5-inch baking dish with 1 cup of the marinara. Arrange a layer of fried eggplant slices on top of the marinara. Cover with another 1/2 cup of marinara, 1/4 cup of mozzarella and 1 tablespoon of Parmesan. Repeat this process 2 more times. Add 1 more layer of fried eggplant slices followed by 1/2 cup of marinara.
• Use parchment paper to gently press the eggplant down into the baking dish for a snug fit. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella and 1 tablespoon Parmesan. Bake until the cheese is golden brown, about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.
• For the marinated peppers: Turn on the broiler.
• Gently toss the red and yellow bell peppers in 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Transfer to a roasting pan and broil until all sides are charred. Set aside at room temperature until cool enough to touch, about 5 minutes. Peel the peppers, remove the seeds and cut the flesh into large strips.
• Combine the garlic, anchovies, Calabrian chiles and the remaining 1/3 cup olive oil in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium high heat until lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the red wine vinegar, brown sugar and salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat and continue to cook until the mixture thickens slightly, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add the roasted peppers to the saucepan and let them sit for 5 minutes. Remove the peppers and set aside.
• To serve: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Lay the rounds of pancetta on the prepared baking sheet and bake until crispy and golden, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Toss the marinated peppers with the arugula and chives in a large bowl. Arrange the salad on a serving platter and garnish with the pancetta and shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano. Serve with the eggplant Parmesan.

GRILLED EGGPLANT AND PEPPERS WITH FETA

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Place eggplant and all bell peppers into a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat. Sprinkle with steak seasoning; coat well.
• Place eggplant and bell pepper slices directly on the preheated grill. Cook until eggplant is softened, marked, and slightly charred and peppers are softened and marked, 15 to 20 minutes, turning every 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce heat as necessary to prevent burning.
• Remove from grill. Arrange in 4 piles, starting with a slice of eggplant and alternating eggplant and pepper slices, including one slice of each bell pepper color in each pile. Top with feta cheese. Sprinkle with basil and oregano. Serve warm.

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH ROASTED EGGPLANTS AND MARINATED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Arrange the oven rack in the lowest position. Preheat the oven to 450°F.
• Use a fork to poke holes all over the eggplants. Put the eggplants on a foil-lined baking sheet in the oven. Roast, turning occasionally, until the skins are charred and the eggplants are very soft, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board.
• When cool enough to handle, peel the eggplants and cut in quarters lengthwise. Cut each piece in half crosswise. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the garlic, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of the oil, a pinch of chile flakes, and a pinch of salt. Gently stir well.
• Turn a gas burner to high. Set the peppers directly over the flame and cook, turning frequently, until the skin is charred all over. Alternatively, broil or grill the peppers as close to the heat source as possible. When cool enough to handle, use paper towels to rub off the charred skin. Remove and discard the stems and seeds, then cut each pepper into very thin slices. Transfer to a medium bowl and add the lime juice, remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and a pinch of salt. Stir well.
• Heat a large skillet over high heat until very hot. Season half the scallops with salt and pepper. Add enough oil to generously coat the bottom of the pan, then add the seasoned scallops, one at a time. Cook until a golden brown crust forms on the bottom, 1 to 2 minutes, then carefully flip and cook until a crust forms on the other side, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Repeat with the remaining scallops in the same pan, letting the pan get very hot again and adding more oil if needed.
• Divide the eggplant mixture among 4 serving dishes. Top with the scallops, then the pepper mixture. Scatter the dill all over.

EGGPLANT AND RED PEPPER BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Mix red bell pepper, onion, and garlic in a large mixing bowl; season with basil, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the pepper mixture; toss to coat the vegetables evenly.
• Brush eggplant slices with olive oil to coat thinly.
• Spread about 1/3 of the pepper mixture into the bottom of a square glass baking dish; top with a layer of about 1/3 of the eggplant. Repeat layering twice more. Top final layer with mozzarella cheese.
• Bake in preheated oven until the cheese is browned and the vegetables are bubbling, 35 to 40 minutes.

MARINATED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Wash and pare the eggplant. Slice 1/2" thick, then cut the slices into 1/2" strips. Drop strips into a pan of boiling water. When the water returns to a boil, remove the pan from the heat and let stand for 15 minutes. Drain into a colandar and and place a small plate on top of the eggplant, adding a heavy weight, such as a gallon jug of water. Let it drain for at least an hour.
• Put the eggplant in a bowl and add garlic, red pepper, salt, oregano, vinegar and olive oil. Stir gently but, well.
• Pack into small Ball canning jars and process in a hot water bath for 5 minutes.

OVEN ROASTED RED BELL PEPPER AND EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200C.
• Arrange the wedges of the eggplant and the red pepper in a baking pan. (A large pan is preferable to facilitate even cooking.)
• Drizzle the oil and sprinkle the seasonings over the vegetables.
• Roast in the oven for around 15 mins (turn with a spatula now and then) until the vegetables are brown around the edges.
• Sprinkle the fresh herbs if you are using them.
• Serve.

MARINATED PEPPERS AND EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Char the peppers on all sides on a medium-hot grill, or on the burners of a gas stove, or in the broiler, until all sides are just blackened (you want to char the skin of the peppers without burning the flesh underneath). Place the peppers in a large paper bag, close it tightly, and let them steam at least 15 minutes. (They sometimes leak, so put the closed bag on a plate.)
• Meanwhile, cut the stems from the eggplants and discard. Like many vegetables,eggplants vary widely in size and shape, so you'll need to use your judgement as you cut them. The goal is to achieve pieces that are roughly the same size, around 2 inches long and 1/4-inch thick, and that show off the natural curve of the eggplant. To begin, cut 1/4-inch slices lengthwise. (Do not cut the eggplant into circles.) If your eggplants are very small, you may be able to stop after this lengthwise slicing. If they're larger, you'll need to cut them again. Place them flat on your cutting board and slice in half across the diagonal. When you're satisfied with your slices, score them shallowly on both sides with a knife (make a cross-hatch of very shallow cuts to increase surface area), sprinkle each with 1/4 teaspoon salt, and let them sit 10 minutes. Use paper towels to blot the water that beads on their surfaces.
• Heat a large sauté pan over high heat for 2 minutes. Swirl in 2 tablespoons olive oil, and wait 1 minute. Carefully place some of the eggplant in the pan. (The eggplant shouldn't be crowded; do this in batches or in two large pans.) Drizzle another tablespoon or two of olive oil into the pan, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, until golden brown. If the pan is smoking or the eggplant starts to burn, turn the heat down. Turn the eggplant over, and cook another 2 to 3 minutes, on the second side, until tender and golden. Remove the eggplant to a platter or baking sheet lined with paper towels. Continue until all the eggplant is cooked.
• Open the bag of roasted peppers, and let them cool slightly. Peel each one carefully. Do not run them under water or you will lose all their delicious juices. Work over a strainer set in a bowl to catch the juices. Tear the peppers in half lengthwise, along their natural seam, and remove the seeds and membranes. Cut or tear the peppers into 1-inch-thick strips. Set them aside in the reserved juices.
• Wipe out the eggplant pan, and return it to the stove over high heat for 2 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, and sauté the red onion and thyme about 2 minutes. Add the garlic, cook a few more minutes, and then add the peppers and their juices to the pan. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper, and cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring often, until the peppers have caramelized slightly.
• Transfer the peppers and onions to a shallow nonaluminum dish. Add the two vinegars to the pan, and reduce by half over low heat. Turn off the heat, and swirl in 2 tablespoons olive oil. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the oil and vinegar over the peppers. Toss well to combine the flavors.
• Gently toss the eggplant and peppers together and taste for seasoning.