Louisiana Seafood Stuffed Eggplant Recipes

SHRIMP STUFFED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Slice whole eggplant lengthwise. Cut a cross-hatch in the eggplant with a sharp utility knife and brush some olive oil over the eggplant. (See Recipe Notes)
• Place the eggplant, cut side down on a baking rack and place in a preheated 400 degree (F) oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until the eggplant meat is soft.
• Allow the eggplants to cool. Scoop out the pulp, leaving about ¼ inch of the shell-resembling a little boat.
• Chop the scooped-out eggplant and set aside.
• Peel, de-vein and rinse the shrimp, then pat dry with paper towels.
• Chop about ¾ of the shrimp into small pieces, leave the remainder whole.
• Mix with some creole seasoning and set aside.
• Heat butter in a dutch oven over medium-high heat until bubbly.
• Saute the onions, bell peppers and celery in the butter until beginning to caramelize, about 8 to 10 minutes.
• Add the garlic and green onions and saute until aromatic, about 2 minutes.
• Mix in about half of the Herb and Spice Blend and the bay leaves. Saute for about 2 minutes.
• Add in the chopped eggplant; reduce heat to medium, cover the dutch oven and slow simmer about 10 to 15 minutes.
• Add the Worcestershire sauce and the stock, uncover and simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes until the eggplant is very soft and mash-able. (See Recipe Notes)
• Add in the shrimp, mix well and saute until the shrimp start to turn pink, simmer about 5 to 10 minutes.
• Stir in the breadcrumbs, starting with about half and adding more until you have the consistency of a filling.
• Add in the rest of the Herb and Spice Blend, mix well.
• Remove the Dutch oven from the heat, cover and let sit for about 5 minutes.
• Remove the lid and allow the eggplant to cool about 15 minutes before stuffing. Remove bay leaves.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• With a spatula or wooden spoon, stuff the eggplant mixture into the eggplant halves, pushing to fill all the voids.
• Once all the filling has been used, sprinkle some bread crumbs on top and place 2 or 3 small tabs of butter on top of each.
• Place in the 350-degree oven and Bake until browning on top,

EGGPLANT, CRABMEAT AND SHRIMP CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Peel and dice eggplant into 1-inch cubes. Boil in enough water to cover with 1 tablespoon salt until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain well and set aside. Saute onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic in olive oil until very tender. Fold vegetable mixture into eggplant. Add lemon juice, Worcestershire, Lea and Perrins, Creole seasoning, hot red pepper sauce, 1 cup cracker crumbs, Parmesan, salt and cayenne, then eggs. Gently fold in seafood. Place in greased casserole. Top with bread crumbs and melted butter. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.

STUFFED EGGPLANT WITH SHRIMP AND BASIL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Scoop out the flesh of the eggplant, chop, and reserve. Coat shells with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper; set aside.
• Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium high heat. Saute shrimp, basil and garlic until shrimp turns pink, about 1 minute. Stir in the reserved chopped eggplant. Season with salt and pepper. Pour in wine, and cook 5 minutes.
• Transfer to a large bowl, and mix in the bread crumbs and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. If mixture is dry, stir in more olive oil. Stuff mixture into eggplant shells, and sprinkle top with remaining Parmesan cheese.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until eggplant is tender.