Pan Fried Eggplant With Buffalo Mozzarella White Anchovies And Raisin Pinenut Relish Recipes

BAKED EGGPLANT WITH RICOTTA, MOZZARELLA AND ANCHOVY

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Generously oil a 9- by 13-inch baking dish. Season eggplant slices on both sides with salt and pepper. Arrange half the eggplant slices in one layer on bottom of dish, overlapping slices slightly. Drizzle or paint eggplant generously with olive oil. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper to taste and scatter onion slices evenly over surface.
• With a small spoon, distribute the ricotta in little blobs evenly over surface, then arrange half the smoked mozzarella over the ricotta. Sprinkle with 1 cup grated provolone.
• Make another layer of overlapping slices with remaining seasoned eggplant. Drizzle or paint eggplant generously with olive oil. Top surface evenly with remaining smoked mozzarella and provolone, then sprinkle with Parmesan and pecorino. Arrange anchovy fillets over top and sprinkle with bread crumbs.
• Bake uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until eggplant is quite tender when pierced with a fork and top is crisp and golden. (If top seems to be browning too quickly, tent with foil and reduce heat to 350 degrees.) Remove from oven, dust with oregano and let rest at least 20 minutes before cutting into squares. The dish is best served at room temperature, not piping hot.

PAN-FRIED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Shake flour, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder together in a gallon-size resealable plastic bag.
• Pour oil into a large iron skillet over medium heat. Coat a handful eggplant slices with the flour mixture. Add to the hot oil; cook until crisp and light brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook until other side is browned, 1 to 2 minutes more. Remove slices carefully and move to a plate or cooling rack; cover with paper towels. Repeat with the remaining eggplant slices.

THE BEST FRIED-EGGPLANT SANDWICH

Steps:

• Line a large, rimmed sheet pan with paper towels. Trim stem end from eggplants, then peel and discard skin. Using a knife or a mandoline, slice the eggplant lengthwise into 3/16-inch-thick slabs. Arrange eggplant in a single layer on a baking sheet. Sprinkle both sides of eggplant with salt. Let stand for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Pat eggplant dry with paper towels, and stack on a plate.
• Discard the wet paper towels, and replace them in the sheet pan with more, then place a wire rack on top. In a large, deep skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat until it is shimmery. Working in batches, fry the eggplant slabs until just tender, approximately 30 to 40 seconds per side. Transfer fried eggplant to rack to drain. Remove skillet from heat.
• In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and grated Parmesan. Return the skillet to the stove over medium-high heat until the oil is hot again.
• Working in batches, dip drained eggplant into egg batter, then fry in oil until puffed, lightly golden and cooked through, approximately 2 to 4 minutes per batch. Transfer fried eggplant to rack to drain. You can cook the eggplant in advance of assembling sandwiches. Covered, it will keep in the refrigerator for a few days, though the eggplant is best at room temperature.
• Assemble sandwiches. Cut the hero rolls open, then spread each one with mayonnaise. Layer the slices of eggplant onto the bread in equal portions, and top with equal portions of the mozzarella and the sliced roast beef. Add slices of hot cherry peppers to taste, fold the sandwich together and serve.

FRIED EGGPLANT PARMESAN

Steps:

• Heat canola oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Mix bread crumbs, flour, and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese together in a bowl. Place eggs in a small bowl.
• Dip eggplant slices in the eggs, then the bread crumb mixture. Drop into oil a few slices at a time until breading turns golden brown, about 2 1/2 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
• Heat spaghetti sauce in a saucepan over medium heat until heated through, about 10 minutes. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and garlic powder.

RAISIN-PINENUT RELISH

Steps:

• Lightly toast the pinenuts in a skillet over medium-high heat. Be careful to not toast them too much as they will take on a bitter flavor. Set aside.
• Pour the oil into the hot skillet. Add the onion and sauté over medium-high heat until golden, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and sauté for another minute or so until the garlic is fragrant. Add the raisins and the vinegar. Reduce the heat and continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes, until the vinegar has reduced by half and the raisins are plump. Add the peppers, followed by the anchovies, 1/2 cup water, and pinenuts. Stir and reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for another 10 minutes, until most of the water has evaporated. Once the relish has dried, add the oregano and stir well. Allow to cool completely before using. Keeps well if refrigerated for up to 1 week.

EGGPLANT AND MOZZARELLA SANDWICH

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil; lightly oil the foil Cut the eggplant lengthwise into 1/2 inch thick slices. Place on the prepared baking sheet; brush with 1 tbsp olive oil. Broil 5 1/2 inches from the heat with the oven door partially opened for 6 to 7 minutes or until tender and golden -- watch it so it doesn't burn. Coarsely chop the eggplant and set aside.
• Saute onion, garlic, black pepper, and thyme in the remaining 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until tender. Stir in the reserved eggplant, tomatoes, parsley, and vinegar. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Cut the bread in half lengthwise; rub each cut side with the halved garlic clove; place on an ungreased baking sheet. Broil until lightly browned. Place the reserved eggplant mixture on the bottom half of the toasted bread; top with mozzarella cheese slices. Broil 5 1/2 inches from the heat 1 to 2 minutes or until the cheese melts. Cover with the top half of the bread.
• Cut into 4 portions, and serve immediately.

EASY FRIED EGGPLANT AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Place eggplant slices in a large bowl, cover with water and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt. Let soak for 1 hour. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.
• Place beaten eggs in one bowl and breadcrumbs in another.
• Heat oil over medium high heat; enough to cover the bottom of the pan.
• Sandwich 1 slice of mozzarella cheese between two slices of eggplant.
• Dip eggplant slices in egg then in breadcrumbs.
• Place eggplant in hot oil.
• Fry 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
• Drain on paper towels.

PAN-FRIED EGGPLANT WITH BUFFALO MOZZARELLA, WHITE ANCHOVIES, AND RAISIN-PINENUT RELISH

Steps:

• Distribute the eggplant on a sheet pan in one layer and generously salt on both sides. Lay another sheet pan on top of the eggplant and place a heavy object on top to add pressure. Set aside for 1 hour. Remove the weight and transfer the eggplant to paper towels and pat dry.
• Add the oil to a large hot skillet, making sure to cover the entire bottom of the pan with about 1/8 inch of oil. Add the eggplant just before the oil starts to smoke-it should sizzle as the eggplant is dropped in and the eggplant should brown pretty quickly. Once the eggplant is golden on both sides, about 3 to 5 minutes, remove from the oil and transfer to paper towels. Allow the eggplant to come to room temperature or to cool completely.
• Grill the bread slices on one side only. Rub the grilled side of 4 of the slices with the garlic. Top with the eggplant, followed by the mozzarella, the anchovies, and the relish. Top with the remaining 4 slices, cut into halves, and serve.