Tag Archives: eggplant

Ratatouille and Sausage Potpie with Cornmeal Biscuits

19 Monday Nov 2012

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This recipe is adapted from the New York Times. What an excellent and hearty meal!

INGREDIENTS

Cornmeal Biscuits:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup fine cornmeal
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 6 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 3/4 cup sour cream or plain whole milk yogurt
  • Milk

 

Ratatouille:

  • 1 large eggplant (1 1/2 pounds) cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 3 small zucchini ( 3/4 pound), cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 7 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3/4 pound Italian turkey or chicken sausage, casings removed
  • 1 large onion, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 2 red peppers, cored and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 28 oz can whole tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 2-4 tbsp pesto

DIRECTIONS

  1. For the biscuits: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Using a pastry cutter or fork, cut in the butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Fold in the sour cream. Gently knead mixture until it comes together in a ball, adding a drop or two of milk if necessary. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
  2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  3. For the ratatouille: In a bowl, toss eggplant and zucchini with 5 tablespoons oil; season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Spread vegetables in a single layer on one or two large baking sheets (do not crowd vegetables). Transfer to oven and roast, tossing occasionally, until golden, about 20 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, in a large, deep, preferably oven-proof sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Crumble sausage into pan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer sausage to a paper towel-lined plate.
  5. Return pan to medium heat and add remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Stir in the onion, pepper, garlic and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and thyme; simmer gently until tomatoes are cooked and mixture is stew-like, about 5-10 minutes. Stir in the sausage, roasted vegetables and pesto. If you are not using an oven-safe pan, transfer mixture to a 2-quart gratin dish or baking pan.
  6. Drop soup spoon size spoonfuls of biscuit on top of ratatouille mixture. Brush biscuits lightly with milk.
  7. Transfer skillet or pan to oven and cook until biscuits are golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
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Roasted Moroccan Eggplant Salad

24 Sunday Oct 2010

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Not to be confused with baba ganoush, this delicious moroccan version is called “zelouch”. (*Indicates Potomac Vegetable Farm (PVF) produce. For more information about what we are doing with our PVF CSA share, click here.)

Recipe adapted from Flatbreads & Flavors by Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2-3 medium eggplants (about 1 pound)
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-3 tsp Harissa, to taste (a north african chile paste available in specialty stores or in the international section of large grocery stores)
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Pierce each eggplant in several places. Roast eggplants, whole, on a baking sheet or in a baking dish coated with cooking spray for 45-60 minutes, or until the skins are a dark mahogany in color and the flesh feels soft. Let stand until cool enough to handle. Split the eggplants and coop the flesh into a colander. Press lightly to extract the excess liquid.
  2. In a medium to large saucepan, heat oil on medium heat and add garlic and onion. Sauté for 8 minutes, or until golden. Add roasted eggplant and harissa. Saute for 5-10 minutes, or until the eggplant mixture begins to brown. Stir in lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.

Vegetable Pastitsio

14 Saturday Aug 2010

Posted by in Entree, Recipe, Vegetarian

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This recipe is absolutely delicious! Not only is it hearty (thanks to the lentils), but it reheats very well and makes a great packed lunch for the workplace. The recipe combines french lentils, eggplant, zucchini, and other summer vegetables with a creamy bechamel sauce.

(*Indicates Potomac Vegetable Farm (PVF) produce. For more information about what we are doing with our PVF CSA share, click here.)

Adapted from Moosewood Restaurant Celebrates cookbook.

INGREDIENTS

Lentils

  • 1 cup dried french lentils
  • 6 cups water
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2 bay leaves

Vegetable Sauce

  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup diced onions*
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced or pressed*
  • 2 medium eggplants, cubed into 1/2-inch pieces*
  • 2 medium zucchini, cubed into 1/2-inch pieces*
  • 1 medium yellow squash, cubed into 1/2-inch pieces*
  • 1/3 cup dry red wine
  • 1 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dired marjoram
  • 1 (28-oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained (such as Muir Glen Fire Roasted)
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 large bunch swiss chard, rinsed and chopped*

Pasta

  • 8 oz no-cook lasagna noodles
  • 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Bechamel Sauce

  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1/4 cup unbleached white flour
  • 2 cups milk, heated to just below scalding
  • 1 pinch ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3 organic, cage-free eggs, lightly beaten

Cheese

  • 8 oz grated feta cheese
  • 1/2-3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS

  1. In a large stock pot, bring the lentils, water, garlic and bay leaf to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes, until tender. When the lentils are tender, remove garcli and bay leaves, and drain any excess liquid. Set aside.
  2. While the lentils cook, heat the oil in a large saucepan and saute onions and garlic for about 5 minutes, until the onions are transluscent. Add the eggplant, wine, cinnamon, oregano, and marjoram; cover and cook on low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring often. Add the zucchini and yellow squash, tomatoes, basil, salt and black pepper and continue to cook on low heat for 10 minutes. Add the swiss chard and continue to cook for another 10 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Stir the cooked lentils into the vegetable sauce and set aside.
  3. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small heavy saucepan. whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Gradually add the hot milk and continue to whisk for several minutes, until the sauce thickens. Remove from the heat, add the nutmeg and salt, and then stir in the beaten eggs. Set aside.
  4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Oil a 3-quart, 9X13-inch baking dish.
  5. To assemble the pastitsio, spread 1/4 of the vegetable sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Top with a layer of no-cook lasagna noodles and top with 1/4 of the feta. Repeat layers of vegetable sauce, noodles, feta. Evenly spoon all of the bechamel sauce on top and finish with the parmesan cheese. (Note: you may not use the last 1/4 of vegetable sauce – reserve for another use or to eat by itself with a slice of fresh bread.)
  6. Cover and bake for about 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 15-25 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.

Grilled Summer Vegetables with Ricotta

12 Thursday Aug 2010

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(*Indicates Potomac Vegetable Farm (PVF) produce and ** indicates Star Hollow Farm produce. For more information about what we are doing with our PVF CSA share, click here.)

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 medium zucchini, sliced lengthwise into 1/4″ strips*
  • 2 medium eggplants, sliced lengthwise into 1/4″ strips*
  • 2 medium red bell peppers, sliced into 1/2″ rings**
  • 1 large onion, sliced into 1/2″ rings*
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Freshly ground salt and pepper
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seed
  • 1/2 tsp fennel seed
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • 8 oz fresh ricotta

DIRECTIONS

  1. Coat each side of vegetable slices evenly with olive oil. Sprinkle with freshly ground salt and pepper. Set aside.
  2. Bring grill to medium heat. Grill eggplant slices for 8-10 minutes (4-5 minutes on each side). Set aside.
  3. Grill zucchini, red bell peppers and onions on medium heat for 6-8 minutes (3-4 minutes on each side). Set aside.
  4. Coarsely chop grilled vegetables into 1 inch pieces. In a large bowl combine coarsely chopped vegetables and mix well with red pepper through lemon juice.
  5. Serve with a dollop of ricotta alongside the grilled vegetables.

Roasted Eggplant, Garlic & Chickpeas with Swiss Chard

07 Sunday Mar 2010

Posted by in Dinner, Lunch, Recipe, Side, Vegan, Vegetarian

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While this is a healthier, vegetarian variation of Roasted Garbanzo Beans and Garlic with Rainbow Chard, it’s equally packed with flavor. The extra virgin olive oil is reduced to about half the amount and the addition of roasted eggplant, onions, and red bell pepper adds additional texture, color and flavor.

Serve with falafel, tabbouleh, green salad, and white bean hummus for a delicious vegetarian and vegan meal.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 large sweet onion, such as vidalia, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 medium eggplant, chopped into 1/2 inch cubes
  • 6-9 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chickpeas (use can or you can use dried chickpeas that have been soaked in water for 24 hours)
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), divided
  • 1/2 tsp freshly, ground pepper
  • 2 bunches swiss chard, rinsed, drained and chopped
  • 1/4 cup vegetable broth

DIRECTIONS

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Combine chopped vegetables, chickpeas, salt, 4 tbsp EVOO, and pepper in a 13X9″ baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes, stir.
  • Increase oven temperature to 425 degrees. Bake uncovered for 10 minute intervals, stirring in between each interval, for another 20-40 minutes, until eggplant is very tender and vegetables begin to brown.
  • While vegetables are roasting, heat 1 tbsp EVOO in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped swiss chard and vegetable broth. Reduce heat to medium and stirring frequently, cook swiss chard until tender. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Combine roasted vegetables and swiss chard.

Moroccan Roasted Vegetables

15 Friday Jan 2010

Posted by in Dinner, Entree, Farmers' Market, Recipe, Side, Vegan, Vegetarian

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This is colorful and extremely tasty dish. It’s a great way to use a variety of summer or winter vegetables. This time I supplemented vegetables from the farmers’ market with an eggplant and red bell pepper from Whole Foods, but you can add carrots, celeriac, turnips and other root vegetables. Serve over couscous with Tzatsiki and Lamb Meatballs (note: use the lamb skewer recipe, but form the lamb mixture into small balls and cook on the stove top in a saute pan over medium-high heat). If you want a vegetarian meal, serve over couscous topped with toasted almonds or pinenuts, raisins and grated feta cheese. (*Indicates produce purchased at Dupont Circle Farmers’ Market.)

Recipe adapted from Moosewood Restaurant New Classics.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 large, organic red onion*, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
  • 1 medium eggplant, cut into 1/4 inch thick cubes
  • 2 medium, organic sweet potatoes*, cut into 1/4 inch thick cubes
  • 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1/4 inch thick pieces
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can organic fire roasted tomatoes (such as Muir Glen)
  • 1 (15.5 oz) can organic chickpeas, rinsed & drained
  • 4-5 garlic cloves, minced*
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne
  • 2 tsp kosher salt

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. In a small bowl, using a fork, whisk minced garlic through salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, combine all vegetables, including rinsed and drained chickpeas, and drained canned tomatoes. Add spice mixture and mix well until vegetables are evently coated.
  4. Spread vegetables on to an unoiled 11X17 inch baking pan. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and stir well; then bake for another 20 minutes, until vegetables are tender.

Indian Cauliflower Curry

20 Friday Nov 2009

Posted by in Dinner, Entree, Lunch, Recipe, Vegan, Vegetarian

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This is a tasty indian curry recipe, with lots of flavor and variety of texture. It can be made with a variety of vegetables. I’ve made it with the following combination of vegetables: eggplant, potatoes & green beans; cauliflower, sweet potato, and bok choy; and cauliflower and potato. Recipe adapted from From Curries to Kebabs: Recipes from the Indian Spice Trail by Madhur Jaffrey. (*Indicates CSA vegetable.)

Serve with Mint-Cilantro Chutney and Basmati Rice.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
  • 4-6 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 8 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
  • 2 medium to large boiling potatoes, diced into small 1/4″ pieces (boiled, cooled and peeled)*
  • 5 cups of cauliflower florets*
  • A generous pinch of ground asafetida
  • 1 tsp whole cumin seeds
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground coriander
  • 3/4 tsp ground cumin
  • 3/4 tsp ground tumeric
  • 1 28oz can crushed tomatoes, or diced tomatoes blended, or 3-6 small-medium tomatoes blended
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt, or to taste
  • 3-4 fresh hot green chilies (such as jalapeno), whole but with small slits cut in each*
  • 2 medium bunches of bok choy or swiss chard*

DIRECTIONS

  1. Put the onion, ginger, garlic and 4 tbsp water in a blender, and blend until smooth.
  2. Pour the oil into a large, preferably nonstick, lidded pan and set over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, put in the potatoes and cauliflower. Fry, stirring until they are lightly browned. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  3. Off the heat, remove all but 3 tbsp of oil from pan, then return the pan to the heat. Add asafetida and then cumin seeds. A few seconds after, add onion mixture from blender. Stir fry for 3-4 minutes. Then add coriander, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne pepper. Stir for a minute, then add tomatoes and cook, continuing to stir for another 2 min.
  4. Add cauliflower and potatoes, 1/2 cup water, salt and the chilies. Stir, bring to simmer, cover and cook over very low heat for 15 minutes. Add greens, cook for another 10-15 min. or until cauliflower is tender.

Roasted Vegetable Enchiladas

01 Thursday Oct 2009

Posted by in Recipe, Vegetarian

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After making this delicious recipe, you’ll never go back to using store bought enchilada sauce. This recipe is very forgiving, so try experimenting with a variety of beans and vegetables for the filling (see end of recipe for examples).

Adapted from CookingLight. Original enchilada recipe and sauce recipe available at cookinglight.com.

INGREDIENTS

  • 4  tbsp EVOO, divided
  • 1 large zucchini, cut in long slices 1/4″ thick*
  • 1 large yellow squash, cut in long slices 1/4″ thick*
  • 1 large red bell pepper, cut in long slices 1/4″ thick*
  • 1 medium eggplant, cut in long slices 1/4″ thick*
  • 1 large sweet onion, cut in thick, whole rings*
  • 1  (10-ounce) package frozen whole-kernel corn*
  • 1  (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 3  cups enchilada sauce
  • Cooking spray
  • 8  (8-inch) whole wheat tortillas or 12 corn tortillas
  • 2  cups  (8 ounces) shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, divided
  • 4 oz feta, crumbled

DIRECTIONS

  1. Prepare enchilada sauce.  
  2. Preheat oven to 350°.
  3. While enchilada sauce is simmering, coat sliced vegetables in olive oil and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper. Grill on hight heat, flipping once until cooked. Remove from grill and cut into 1/4″ square pieces. (Alternatively:  Dice all vegetables. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté for 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender.) Stir in beans.
  4. Spread 1 cup enchilada sauce in the bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Layer one row of tortillas across top of sauce (you may need to cut tortillas in half). Spread 1/3 of vegetable mixture on top of sauce; sprinkle with 1/4 of cheddar and feta cheese;  and 1/2 cup enchilada sauce. Repeat layers, ending in sauce. (Alternatively: Spoon about 1/2 cup vegetable mixture down center of 1 tortilla; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cheese, and roll up. Place seam-side down in baking dish. Repeat procedure with remaining tortillas, zucchini mixture, and 14 tablespoons cheese. Spread remaining 2 cups sauce evenly over enchiladas.)
  5. Cover with foil; bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover; top with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until cheese melts.

*Filling alternatives/options:

  • 2 cups diced zucchini, 1 (10 oz) package frozen whole-kernel corn
  • 3 medium eggplant; 1 bunch collard greens, kale or swiss chard; 1 medium to large leek
  • 1 bunch garlic scapes; 1 bunch swiss chard; 2 ears fresh corn; 1 large onion

Hummus and Grilled Veggie Sandwiches

28 Monday Sep 2009

Posted by in Lunch, Recipe, Vegan, Vegetarian

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Made some yummy boxed lunches for my hubbie and me this morning, only to discover that I had an all day meeting with a catered lunch. We’ll see how these sandwiches stand the 24 hour refrigerator test (since I’ll be eating my sandwich for lunch tomorrow).

INGREDIENTS

  • Olive oil and rosemary bread (bought fresh, sliced from Harris Teeter bakery; immediately put in freezer; took out 4 slices this AM for 2 sandwiches)
  • Harris Teeter roasted garlic hummus
  • Leftover grilled veggies (while Rex was grilling the eggplant for the moussaka, I had him grill a bunch of green and golden zucchini and peppers from my Sunday farmers’ market purchase)

DIRECTIONS

  • Spread generous amount of hummus on both sides of FROZEN bread slices.
  • Top one side with grilled veggies.
  • Wrap in aluminum foil (or tupperware if your city doesn’t recycle aluminum foil)
  • Put in fridge until ready to eat

SIDES

  • Potato salad made on Sunday night on a bed of leftover salad greens
  • Brown Cow Vanilla Yogurt with diced farmers’ market apples

3 Bean Vegetable Moussaka and Couscous with Golden Raisins & Pine Nuts

27 Sunday Sep 2009

Posted by in Dinner, Entree, Farmers' Market, Lunch, Recipe, Vegetarian

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Three-Bean Vegetable Moussaka

(Based loosely on CookingLight recipe)

INGREDIENTS

  • 4-6 oz feta cheese, crumbled (organic, whole foods)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 15 oz organic ricotta cheese (organic, YES! Organic Market)
  • 1 large onion, chopped (farmers’ market)
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced (farmers’ market)
  • 1 large bunch of green swiss chard (farmers’ market)
  • 1 tbsp EVOO
  • 3 medium eggplants (farmers’ market)
  • 1 jar (about 25 oz) marinara sauce (Newman’s Own Tomato & Basil) (if you have the time, make your own simple sauce with 28 oz can crushed tomatoes, 1/4 cup EVOO, chopped basil, pepper – simmer for 20-40 minutes, or until slightly thickened)
  • 1 can (16 oz) black beans, drained
  • 1 can (16 oz) adzuki beans, drained
  • 1 can (16 oz) navy beans, drained
  • 8 oz part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • Salt and pepper
  • Canola oil cooking spray

DIRECTIONS

  1. Cut eggplant lengthwise, into 1/4 inch slices. Coat with some EVOO, freshly ground salt and pepper. Grill on both sides until cooked through. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. (Alternative cooking method: arrange eggplant on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 450 degrees F for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Reduce oven to 375 degrees.)
  2. While eggplant is grilling or baking, saute onions and garlic in EVOO until soft (about 5-10 minutes). Meanwhile, rinse and chop swiss chard. Add to pan and cook until wilted. Turn off heat, set aside.
  3. Combine feta through ricotta cheese in a bowl, set aside.
  4. Shred mozzarella cheese using salad shooter or food processor.
  5. Rinse and drain beans together in a colander.
  6. Add sauteed swiss chard to feta mix.
  7. Spread 1 cup marinara sauce in the bottom of a 13X9 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 5 eggplant slices over marinara, or enough to cover the marinara with one single layer of eggplant. Top with 1 2/3 cups swiss chard/feta mixture, and 1/3 of the beans. Repeat the layers. Cover and bake at 375 for 20 minutes. Top with mozzarella cheese and bake an additional 20 minutes or until cheese is browned.

Couscous with Golden Raisins and Pine Nuts

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup couscous (bulk, from Whole Foods)
  • 1 1/3 cup water
  • 1/2 cup golden raisins (trader joe’s)
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts (trader joe’s)

DIRECTIONS

  • Bring water to boil in medium sauce pan with tight fitting lid.
  • Add couscous and raisins. Stir, cover and remove from heat.
  • Let stand for 5-10 minutes. Immediately fluff with a fork and add stir in pine nuts.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve Moussaka and couscous side by side.