Roasted Eggplant And Tofu Round Recipes

ROASTED EGGPLANT AND TOFU ROUND

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Dice the eggplant into medium-sized pieces. Mix together 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1/2 a teaspoon of sea salt in a roasting pan. Put the eggplant into the pan and roast for 35 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and let cool.
• Increase the oven heat to 400 degrees F.
• In a small pan combine the tofu, garlic cloves, cherries, 1 1/2 cups of water, sugar and cinnamon. Put the pan in the oven for 35 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and let cool.
• Next, pit the cherries and drop them into a blender with 1/4 cup olive oil and 1/8 cup of water. Add the garlic and the remaining liquid from the roasting pan. Blend to combine. This will be your roasted garlic and cherry aioli sauce.
• In a medium bowl, whisk 1 large egg. Add the bread crumbs, roasted eggplant, coconut milk, 1 teaspoon sea salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Combine well and form the mixture into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Coat each round with cornmeal.
• Heat 1 cup of canola oil in a shallow frying pan. Put the rounds into the pan and fry until golden brown. Put each round on a serving plate and drizzle with the garlic and cherry aioli sauce. Serve.

CRISPY SZECHUAN-STYLE EGGPLANT AND TOFU

Steps:

• In a shallow dish, combine 2/3 cup of the cornstarch, the salt and pepper. Toss the eggplant pieces in the cornstarch mixture to coat, shaking off the excess; set aside. Repeat the process with the tofu.
• Heat 1/2 inch of the peanut oil in a large, deep, straight-sided skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Working in batches, cook the eggplant first, tossing gently until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with the remaining eggplant and the tofu.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken stock, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, lime juice and remaining 2 teaspoons cornstarch.
• Carefully drain the oil from the skillet, and wipe out any residue using paper towels held with tongs. Add 1 tablespoon of peanut oil to the skillet and heat it over medium heat. Add the ginger, about 1 teaspoon of the minced chiles (or to taste) and the garlic. Cook, stirring, until just fragrant, about 30 seconds; pour in the chicken stock mixture and bring it to a simmer. Simmer until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the cooked eggplant and tofu to the skillet and toss gently to combine. Stir in the sesame oil and remove from the heat. Serve immediately over rice and garnished with the remaining minced chiles if desired and chopped cilantro.