Aunt Eileens Stuffed Eggplant Recipes

STUFFED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• In a large saute pan heat oil add onion and garlic and cook until onion is translucent. Add reserved chopped eggplant flesh, zucchini and red bell peppers - cook until softened. Add rice. Add white wine cook until wine has evaporated. Add tomatoes, tomato juice and simmer for about 10 minutes or until mixture has thickened and rice is starting to soften. Remove pan from heat and stir in bulgur, anchovies, olives, capers, pine nuts, oregano, thyme, mint and salt and pepper to taste.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Stuff eggplant halves loosely with mixture and arrange on a lightly oiled roasting pan. Top with a mixture of breadcrumbs and Parmesan and bake for 1 hour or until eggplant and breadcrumbs are golden brown. Serve lukewarm.

MOM'S STUFFED EGGPLANT (BY MICHAEL CHIARELLO)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cut the eggplant in half and scoop out the center, leaving enough meat inside the skin so that it holds its shape when baked.
• Boil the scooped-out center part until very soft, about 10 to 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a medium saute pan heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat.
• Season the beef with salt and pepper.
• Add the seasoned ground beef to the pan and saute until all of its liquid is evaporated and the beef begins to brown slightly.
• Drain the beef, removing the extra, unnecessary fat.
• Let cool briefly and chop the cooked beef so that there are no large chunks of meat.
• In another medium saute pan over medium heat add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and saute the onions, peppers and garlic together.
• In a bowl mix together the cooked eggplant, vegetables, cooked beef, herbs, 1 cup of the cheese, bread crumbs, and the egg.
• Fill the scooped-out eggplant halves with this mixture, dividing it evenly among the 2 halves.
• Top with chopped tomatoes and the remaining 1/4 cup of grated cheese, season with salt and pepper, place on an oiled oven tray or baking dish, and bake for 50 minutes in preheated oven.
• Let cool briefly, slice widthwise and serve.

STUFFED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise and remove the inside flesh to create boat-like shells. Chop the eggplant flesh, sprinkle with some salt and place in a colander for 30 minutes. Sprinkle inside of eggplant shell with some salt, turn them upside down on towels to drain. (During these 30 minutes, chop and prepare the other ingredients.)
• Squeeze the chopped eggplant to remove excess water. Heat 1/3 cup of the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the chopped eggplant and saute until eggplant is browned. Add the tomatoes and, over high heat, cook the mixture until the liquid has evaporated. Add the bread crumbs, shrimp, garlic, olives, anchovies and capers and cook for a few minutes more for the flavors to come together. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Fill the eggplant shells with the mixture, set them in a baking sheet and drizzle remaining olive oil over the top. Bake for 1 hour. Serve hot, warm or chilled, sprinkled with parsley.