Eggplant Tomato Caprese Stacks Recipes

ROASTED EGGPLANT CAPRESE STACKS

Steps:

• Wash the eggplant, slice crosswise into ½-inch thick slices, and sprinkle the slices heavily with salt. Place in a strainer for 30 minutes.
• Rinse the eggplant well under cool water; place the slices onto a paper towel to blot dry.
• Place the baking sheet into the preheated 400 degree F.
• Brush a large baking sheet covered with aluminum foil with olive oil and place 8 slices of the eggplant in a single layer onto the baking sheet.
• Top the eggplant with a slice of tomato that fits it the best. The sizes will be a little different. You may need to cut some of the slices in half or quarter to fit the smaller eggplant slices. Top with a slice of mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan cheese and dried oregano to taste.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until cheese is bubbling and the eggplant is tender. During the last few minutes of roasting, turn on the broiler to brown the cheese on top, about 3 to 5 minutes.
• To serve, carefully stack two of the eggplant and tomato slices melted with cheese on top of one another. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and garnish with fresh basil.

EGGPLANT TOMATO CAPRESE STACKS

Steps:

• Wash and dry vegetables and herbs. Cut eggplants into thick slices, season with salt and let rest for about half an hour, for the eggplants to emit the bitter water.
• Cut tomatoes in slices that in size resemble the eggplant slices. Cut goat cheese in round slices with the help of a cookie cutter.
• Place a pan on stove and heat to medium. Add a teaspoon of olive oil. Pat-dry eggplant slices with paper towels to remove bitter water. Then, place eggplant slices into the heated pan and fry on medium for about 5 minutes on both sides, until the eggplants soften and turn lightly brown. Remove from pan and set aside. Continue frying eggplant until all slices are used.
• Preheat oven to 160°C / 320°F. Place baking paper in a small baking tray.
• Assemble your eggplant caprese stacks. Place a fried eggplant slice on baking tray. Top with a tomato slice. Then put on another eggplant slice and top with a goat cheese slice. Add on top a tomato slice, an eggplant slice and finish with a goat cheese slice. You can assemble the stacks any way you want, just make sure to start with an eggplant slice, that will help to better keep the stack form. Sprinkle some chopped fresh herbs on top of your stack and then repeat until you've used up your ingredients.
• Place baking tray with eggplant caprese stacks in your preheated oven and bake 10-15 minutes at 160° / 320°F until the goat cheese melts slightly and turn golden-brown on the edges.
• Remove baking tray from oven and carefully place eggplant stacks on plates and serve.

EGGPLANT AND TOMATO CAPRESE SALAD

Steps:

• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Or, prepare a charcoal grill with hot coals or set a gas grill to medium-high heat.
• Brush the eggplant slices generously with olive oil on both sides, sprinkle with salt and pepper and grill until charred on the outside and soft on the inside, 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Set aside and allow to cool slightly.
• On a large rectangular platter, layer the tomatoes, mozzarella, eggplant and basil in diagonal rows. Drizzle generously with vinegar and olive oil and sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Serve at room temperature.

HEIRLOOM TOMATO EGGPLANT CAPRESE STACKS

Steps:

• Rub eggplant rounds with olive olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Place rounds on a greased baking sheet. Roast eggplant at 400F 8-10 minutes until just slightly softened.
• Assemble the caprese stacks by topping an eggplant round with a tomato slice and a slice of mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers a total of three times to form a three-layer stack. Repeat step 2 with remaining eggplant rounds, tomato, and cheese.
• Broil eggplant stacks on high heat 3-4 minutes until cheese is golden-brown and bubbly. Remove from oven and sprinkle stacks with fresh basil. Enjoy immediately!

EGGPLANT CAPRESE WITH TOMATO AND BASIL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F
• Slice the eggplant and tomatoes crosswise into 1/2 inch pieces.
• Place 8 eggplant slices in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with nonstick cooking spray.
• Set the tomatoes aside.
• In a small bowl combine the olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
• Brush the mixture over the eggplant and tomato slices, then set the remainder aside.
• Bake the eggplant slices for about 10 minutes.
• Turn them over, brush with more of the olive-oil mixture, then bake for another 10 minutes; set aside.
• Place the tomatoes on the same baking sheet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they're soft.
• Place a slice of cooked eggplant on a work surface. Top with a tomato slice, a basil leaf, a slice of mozzarella, a tomato slice, another slice of cheese, then a basil leaf. Finish the stack with a slice of eggplant.
• Repeat to make three more stacks.
• When ready to serve return the stacks to the oven for about 5 minutes to reheat and melt the cheese.
• Top each with a drizzle of the remaining olive-oil mixture and a fresh basil leaf.