Thomas Kellers Eggplant Aubergine Chutney Recipes

THOMAS KELLER'S EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) CHUTNEY

Steps:

• In a small skillet, combine curry powder, cinnamon stick and clove and place over medium heat, toasting until aromatic; removed from the heat and wrap the spices in cheesecloth with the lemon and orange zest and tie the cheesecloth to make a sachet.
• In a medium saucepan, combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the shallots and saute over low heat until the shallots have softened--about 4 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, red wine, sugar, lemon and orange juices, and the sachet.
• Simmer until the liquid has reduced and the mixture resembles a marmalade--about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Remove from heat and discard sachet.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and then add the eggplant and saute until tender--about 5 minutes.
• Drain eggplant on paper towels set on a rack.
• Return the skillet to the medium heat, add two more tablespoons of oil and, when the oil is warm, add the zucchini and yellow squash and saute that until tender--4 to 5 minutes.
• Drain the zucchini and squash.
• Note: Dish can be prepared in advance to here and chilled for several hours; if it is chilled, bring to room temperature before proceeding.
• Reheat the tomato mixture and whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
• Add butter, one piece at a time, whisking to emulsify the sauce. (this step can be omitted to "veganize" the recipe).
• Add the eggplant, zucchini and yellow squash.
• Fold in red and yellow peppers and parsley.
• Serve warm.
• If served as a base for skate (as at The French Laundry), this serves six; as a condiment or as part of an appetizer plate, it will serve more--the yield is roughly 6 cups.

PUMPKIN/EGGPLANT(AUBERGINE)/CARROT CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Heat 1/2 teaspoon oil in a skillet over medium and add the chopped pumpkins (+approximately 1/4 cup water if you're using carrots instead of pumpkins).
• Saute for 1 minute and then cover.
• After 5 minutes, uncover, stir, and cover.
• And now after another 5 minutes remove the pumpkin from the skillet and keep aside.
• In the same skillet add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil, urad dal (or yellow lentils if you're using eggplant instead of pumpkin), and red chilies and fry until the dal start turning pale brown; add the asafoetida powder just around the time when you think the dal is starting to turn pale brown (the powder shouldn't be fried too much!).
• Grind the above fried mixture in a grinder along with grated coconut and salt, and grind coarsely, without water.
• Now add the tamarind paste and cooked pumpkin and grind until it is a coarse paste.
• Don't add water unless it is too thick; add upto 1 tablespoon water if required.
• Serve with rice, bread, chappatis, you name it!

YUKON GOLD POTATO BLINI WITH EGGPLANT CAVIAR

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a medium saucepan and add enough cold water to cover by at least 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to a simmer and simmer until potatoes are tender and easily pierced with the tip of a knife.
• Drain and peel warm potatoes; press through a very fine mesh sieve. Immediately weigh out 9 ounces pureed potatoes and transfer to a medium bowl. Working quickly, whisk in flour and 2 tablespoons creme fraiche. Add 1 egg, whisking until batter is smooth. Add second egg, whisking until batter is smooth. Finally add the yolk; whisk until batter is smooth and well combined.
• Hold the whisk with some of the batter over the bowl. The batter should fall in a thick stream but hold its shape when it hits the batter in the bowl. If it is too thick, add a little more creme fraiche. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat an electric griddle to 350 degrees or a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Working in batches and wiping griddle with a paper towel between each batch, spoon 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons batter onto griddle or skillet for each pancake. Cook until bottoms are browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Turn and cook on second side until evenly browned with a small ring of white around the edges, about 1 minute. Transfer to a small baking sheet and keep warm. Serve immediately topped as desired.