Mini Eggplant Parm Roasted Cherry Tomato Basil Pesto Recipes

MINI EGGPLANT PARM, ROASTED CHERRY TOMATO, BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• In a blender, combine the pine nuts, basil, parsley, 6 tablespoons of the olive oil and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan. Blend on high until smooth. (TIP: Add 2 ice cubes to the blender to reduce the heat from the motor, which will ruin the color.) Season with salt and pepper. Store in an airtight container until needed.
• Slice the eggplants into 1/4-inch rounds. With a 4-inch square cookie cutter, cut out 12 portions. Season with salt and pepper and set aside. Cut thin slices of mozzarella trimmed to fit the top of the eggplant slices. Set aside until needed.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• To set up a breading station, put the flour in a shallow bowl and the eggs in a second shallow bowl. In a third shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan. Dredge the eggplant pieces first in the flour, shaking off the excess, then in the egg, shaking off the excess again and finally in the breadcrumb mixture. Shake off the excess breadcrumbs.
• Pour canola oil into a wide-bottomed pot to a depth of 1 1/2 inches and heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil registers 350 degrees F (or use a deep fryer).
• Put the cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet and coat with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season with salt. Roast in the oven until blistered, about 5 minutes.
• Fry the breaded eggplant cut-outs in the hot oil until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Drain on a paper towel-lined baking sheet.
• On a new baking sheet lined with parchment paper, arrange the eggplant pieces. Top with the mozzarella pieces. Put in the oven or under the broiler until the mozzarella is melted.
• To plate: Put a dollop of the pesto on the bottom of each plate. Place an eggplant/mozzarella piece on top and garnish with a blistered tomato. Drizzle with olive oil and serve.

VEGAN BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Add the basil, almonds, pistachios, tea, garlic, 3/4 teaspoon salt and lemon zest to a food processor. Cover and pulse a few times.
• Drizzle in the oil while pureeing; continue to process until the mixture makes a coarse pesto. Add salt to taste.

EGGPLANT, TOMATO AND BASIL ROLL-UPS

Steps:

• Trim the ends from the eggplant and slice lengthwise 1/8-inch thick.
• Place each eggplant slice on a lightly sprayed saute pan over medium low heat to slightly toast. The eggplant should be moist and pliable. Keep the saute pan warm.
• Slice the tomatoes 1/8-inch thick.
• Lay the eggplant slices flat and lay a tomato slice at the bottom and place a basil leaf on top of the tomato. Grind some fresh pepper over the basil/tomato. Combine the cheeses and sprinkle a teaspoon of the cheeses and a pinch of the chile on top of the basil leaf.
• Roll-up the eggplant/tomato lengthwise and place seam side down in the warmed saute pan. Repeat until all the eggplant are rolled up. Bring the heat up to medium and slightly sear the roll-ups. Turn to brown all sides.

CHERRY TOMATO PESTO POPS

Steps:

• Working one at a time, cut a small slice off the bottom of any tomato that won't stand flat. Cut off the top 1/8-inch of each tomato, and scoop out the top 1/4-inch of flesh, using either a melon baller or a paring knife.
• Combine the basil, Parmesan, almonds, oil and salt in a food processor; pulse, scraping down the sides, until the mixture forms a paste. Transfer the pesto to a piping bag fitted with a small tip. Fill each tomato with a small dollop of the pesto. Refrigerate until ready to serve or serve immediately.

EGGPLANT, TOMATO, AND PESTO STACK

Steps:

• In a food processor, pulse 1/2 cup walnuts until finely chopped. Add 2 cups basil and garlic, and pulse while slowly adding 1/2 cup oil, scraping down sides as needed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add Parmesan; season with salt and black pepper; process until pesto is well combined. Heat oven to 400°F. Brush eggplant slices with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil and sprinkle with sea salt; roast on a baking sheet, turning once, until tender and golden, 20 minutes. Top each with 1 tablespoon pesto. Alternately layer 2 eggplant slices, 2 tomato slices and 1 slice mozzarella. (Refrigerate any remaining pesto for another use.) Divide balsamic vinegar, remaining 2 tablespoons walnuts and basil leaves among stacks.