Persian Eggplant Souffle Gourmet Today Recipes

PERSIAN EGGPLANT SOUFFLE (GOURMET TODAY)

Steps:

• Put rack in the middle of oven and preheat oven to 350°F Oil a small baking sheet with olive oil. Put the eggplant cut-side down on baking sheet and bake until very tender, about 30 minutes.
• Remove from oven and cool slightly. When eggplant is cool enough to handle, scrape flesh into a food processor; discard skin.
• Puree until smooth. Add egg-yolk, Parmesan, garlic, lemon juice, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper and pulse until blended. Transfer to a bowl.
• Pour melted butter into a 1 1/2-quart gratin dish or 9 1/2-inch deep-dish pie plate and tilt to coat bottom.
• Beat egg white with 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until they hold stiff peaks.
• Fold one-third of whites into the eggplant mixture to lighten it, then fold in remaining egg whites gently but thoroughly. Spoon mixture into gratin dish.
• Bake until golden and puffed, 25 to 30 minutes. Sprinkle gratin with mint, then scoop into servings and dollop with yogurt.

HERBED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F; butter or oil a 1-1/2 quart baking casserole or souffle pan.
• Over medium heat in a large skillet (with a cover) or round French oven (my Le Creuset works wonderfully well), melt butter and oil together, then add the onion, celery, and garlic and saute over low heat until the onion is translucent.
• Sprinkle in the flour and stir well until incorporated.
• Add the basil, oregano, and thyme and saute, stirring, until flour begins to brown.
• Add the milk and the diced eggplant.
• Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook, until the eggplant is very tender, about 15 to 20 minutes; check the mixture every 5 minutes or so and stir, adding water or broth to keep the bottom of the skillet moist.
• Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl; allow to cool for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• In a bowl, combine the bread crumbs, mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and 4 egg yolks and stir well to coat.
• Add yolk mixture to the eggplant mixture and stir well; set aside.
• In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
• Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the eggplant mixture.
• Pour soufflé mixture into the buttered casserole or soufflé pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 40 to 45 minutes, or until it is a nice golden brown and is puffy.
• Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes, then serve immediately.

KHORESH BADEMJAN (PERSIAN EGGPLANT SAUCE)

Steps:

• Cut eggplant into quarters and then diagonally into 1/2-inch slices. Sprinkle liberally with salt, set in colander in sink.
• Set aside 1 tablespoon onion for garnish.
• In a large skillet, cook onion in olive oil until golden brown. Add meat and brown. Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg and enough water to cover. Let simmer until meat is tender.
• Meanwhile, rinse eggplant and dry with paper towels. Brown slices on each side in a hot skillet sprayed with olive oil spray or a dab of oil. Lay over meat. and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and simmer until eggplant and tomato are tender, about 10 minutes.
• While meat is continuing to cook, place remaining onion in a small pan with a little olive oil and cook until soft. Add minced garlic and mint and cook 1 minute.
• Turn meat mixture into a serving dish and top with onion mixture.
• Serve with steamed rice.

EGGPLANT KUKU

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
• Bake eggplant, cut sides down, in an oiled shallow baking pan until very tender, about 30 minutes. When cool enough to handle, scrape flesh into a food processor, discarding skin, and purée until smooth. Add egg yolks, cheese, garlic, lemon juice, pepper, and 3/4 teaspoon salt and pulse until blended. Transfer to a bowl.
• Pour melted butter into a 6-cup (1 1/2-quart) gratin dish or a 91/2-inch deep-dish pie plate and tilt to coat bottom. Beat egg whites with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt using an electric mixer at medium speed until they just hold stiff peaks. Fold one third of whites into eggplant mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining whites gently but thoroughly. Spoon into gratin dish. Bake until golden and puffed, 25 to 30 minutes.