Baked Aubergines With Tomatoes Tarragon And Creme Fraiche Recipes

BAKED AUBERGINES WITH TOMATOES, TARRAGON AND CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• Slice Aubergine into 1 cm rounds, lay in colander and sprinkle with salt, leave for 30 mins then pat dry with kitchen towel.
• Heat oil in a large fry pan (should be about a 1 cm depth so add more oil if needed) over med high heat, fry aubergines a few at a time until golden on both sides, Drain on kitchen paper.
• Melt butter in another saucepan and add the chopped tomatoes and garlic and season well with salt and pepper, cook for 15 mins until soft.
• Put the creme fraiche in a small pan and bring to boil over a med heat. Allow to bubble until reduced by a third, take off heat and add all the herbs and half of the parmesan, taste for seasoning.
• Preheat oven to 180°C Line the bottom of a large oven proof baking dish with aubergines, follow with thin coating of tomato sauce and a sprinkling of parmesan, continue layering in this way finishing with tomato sauce. Pour over the creme fraiche and sprinkle with remaining parmesan.
• Let the dish sit for a few minutes to allow the flavours to get aquainted!
• Place in oven and bake for 20-25 mins till golden brown.
• Allow to stand for 5 mins then drizzle with a little extra good Virgin Olive Oil.
• Do not serve this dish too hot.

FRENCH TIAN D' AUBERGINES - GRATIN OF AUBERGINES/EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 F/230 C or Gas Mark 8.
• Lightly grease the Tian or an oven proof dish with olive oil.
• Cook the aubergine slices in hot olive oil, turning as necessary until they are golden brown on both sides & well cooked through. Drain them well on absorbent paper & allow to cool before assembling the Tian.
• Cheese Custard: Beat together the cottage cheese, grated Italian cheese, eggs & crème fraiche. Season with salt & black pepper to taste.
• Mix the tinned tomatoes with the passata & add the grated or finely chopped garlic.
• Now you can start to assemble the Tian - start with a little of the tomato sauce & then some aubergine slices; tear the basil leaves into small pieces & scatter over with basil flowers if available. Keep layering the dish with the tomato sauce & aubergines & fresh basil until all the ingredients have been used.
• Pour over the cheese custard & decorate with the freshly sliced tomatoes. Bake in the oven for 35 - 45 minutes until golden brown & bubbling. Allow to cool & serve in slices. Delicious with fresh green salad leaves & crusty bread.