Eggplant Aubergine Mushroom Feta Pesto Pizza Recipes

EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) MUSHROOM FETA PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Place the oven rack on the middle rung; preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• If your pizza crust is unbaked, pre-bake it for 5 minutes.
• Combine the olive oil and pesto, then spread crust with the mixture.
• Place eggplant and mushrooms evenly over the pesto, then sprinkle with the feta cheese.
• Season the pizza with salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste.
• Bake on pizza pan or on pizza stone in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or the eggplant is cooked to preference, the crust edges are golden, and the feta is soft and beginning to brown (make sure to check it occasionally so that pizza doesn't burn).
• Note: those folks who like it a bit spicier can garnish their servings with red pepper flakes; also it's even better if you use prepared eggplant - take a look at my posted recipe "Hopvine's Marinated Roasted Eggplant".

HOPVINE'S MARINATED ROASTED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• Remove the peel of the eggplant. (If using Japanese eggplant, it's not necessary to remove the peel.).
• Slice the peeled eggplant thinly, about 1/8 inch thick, then make into smaller pieces (about 1"x2" strips).
• Combine remaining ingredients in a plastic airtight container.
• Add the eggplant pieces, cover, and shake well to coat.
• Chill in refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place eggplant pieces on a non-stick baking sheet and roast for 7 minutes, then carefully turn them and roast another 7 minutes until tender.
• Keep the eggplant pieces refrigerated in an airtight container until you use them; they'll keep for up to 3 or 4 days.
• You can use the eggplant in various ways: put them in sandwiches, or (as I do) put the marinated eggplant pieces on your pizza along with the other veggies!
• Note: this marinade is also good for other roasted vegetables like asparagus; you can also grill the eggplant slices instead of roasting and use them as an appetizer (I use my Foreman grill), to make appetizers with them I usually use unpeeled Asian eggplant instead of the regular kind and slice them diagonally about 1/4-inch thick before grilling.

EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) AND MUSHROOM PIZZA

Steps:

• Sprinkle eggplant with salt and let sit in a colander for 30 minutes.
• Rinse and pat dry.
• Arrange eggplant slices in a single layer on a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until the eggplant is tender and lightly browned.
• Let cool.
• Divide pizza dough in half to form two pizzas, or just make one large pizza. Follow directions for dough.
• Spread tomato sauce over each pizza round and sprinkle cheese over the top, dividing if necessary for two smaller pizzas.
• Arrange mushrooms and several eggplant slices over the cheese and sprinkle with fresh or dried oregano.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Follow baking directions for pizza dough.

GOURMET PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• If the pizza dough has been refrigerated, take it out and let it warm up a bit.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large pan and then add the mushrooms and chopped onions. Saute until soft. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute or two. If there is liquid remaining in the pain, drain it.
• Stretch out the pizza dough onto a lightly oiled pizza pan, or a pizza stone.
• spread the pesto sauce onto the dough -- it's best of the pesto is a little less oily than usual: if I buy store-bought I let it separate a bit in the container and then avoid the oil rather than mixing it back inches.
• Top with the sauteed vegetables, then the shredded cheese.
• Add the black olives and small (1/2 inch cubes) chunks of the goat cheese.
• Bake according to the instructions on the dough or dough recipe (generally 450 degrees for about 10-12 minutes).
• Slice and enjoy!