Eggplant Walnut Ricotta Rolls With Fresh Greens And Basil Salad Recipes

EGGPLANT ROLLS WITH RICOTTA

Steps:

• Cut the eggplant, trimmed and peeled, lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices, arrange in a colander, sprinkle with salt, and let them drain for about an hour to eliminate the bitter juices. Rinse and pat dry.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• For the besciamella, melt 1/4 cup butter over moderate heat, stir in the flour, and cook the roux over low heat, stirring, for three minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, add the hot milk in a stream and whisk until the mixture is thick and smooth. Add the optional 1/2 bay leaf and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer to thicken to coat a spoon, 5-10 minutes, and discard the bay leaf.
• For the stuffing, cook the onion in a small skillet in a bit of butter until softened, add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until it is no longer pink. Stir in the ricotta, spinach, 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste. Add a bit of cream to reach the desired consistency -- I've not needed it.
• For the assembly and final cooking, heat some of the vegetable oil in a large skillet over moderately high heat, add the eggplant slices in batches, and cook until softened and golden, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain. When cool enough to handle, put about 2 tablespoons of the stuffing on the narrow end of each eggplant slice, roll up and arrange seam-side down in a greased baking dish large enough to hold all the rolls in a single layer. Nap the rolls with the besciamella, sprinkle with 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese and bake in the upper third of the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until browned and lightly bubbling. Sprinkle the rolls with the minced fresh parsley.

BAKED EGGPLANT AND RICOTTA ROLLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius Spray large baking trays with oil spray to lightly grease, cut eggplants into 16 or so 1cm thick slices lengthways. Arrange eggplant in a single layer, on the repared trays. Lightly spray with olive oil spray. Bake in oven for 10 minutes or until golden.
• Meanwhile, mix the basil, ricotta, and three quarters of the parmesan in a medium bowl. Taste and season well with pepper.
• Place 1 tablespoon of the ricotta mixture on one eggplant slice. Roll up firmly to encose fulling. Place the roll, seam side down, in a 30 x 20cm baking dish. Repeat with the remaining ricotta mix and eggplant slices. Pour the sauce evenly over the rolls, sprinkle with the remaining parmesan and the mozzarella. Bake in oven for 10 minutes or until the mozzarella melts. Serve with polenta, if desired.

EGGPLANT WALNUT RICOTTA ROLLS WITH FRESH GREENS AND BASIL SALAD

Steps:

• Wash eggplants, cut off and discard stems. On a cutting board, using a mandoline or sharp knife, slice each eggplant lengthwise in long pieces, 1/2-inch thick. Sprinkle eggplant slices with Kosher salt and place in a large colander to drain for 15 to 20 minutes. Discard liquid.
• In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, walnuts, garlic, olive oil, dill, sea salt, nutmeg, lemon juice and lemon zest. Mix all ingredients until smooth in texture and set aside. (Ricotta filling should be chilled until ready to use.)
• In a large deep skillet, pour ½-inch canola oil and heat over medium heat until oil is hot. Blot the pieces of eggplant with paper towel to remove any water droplets and fry eggplant slices in batches until golden brown on both sides, about 90 seconds per side. Remove from pan to drain flat on paper towels.
• Place slices of eggplant on a tray or dish and spread a tablespoon or two of the ricotta filling across each slice; roll up pin-wheel style and repeat until all eggplant slices have been filled and rolled.
• In a medium bowl, toss the salad greens with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Arrange the mixed greens on four serving plates and serve with eggplant walnut ricotta rolls. Toss torn basil leaves over the salad. Garnish salad with candied walnuts.