**Unveiling Southern Delights: A Culinary Journey with Eggplant and Country Ham Rag**
Embark on a tantalizing culinary adventure as we explore the Southern classic, Eggplant and Country Ham Rag. This hearty and flavorful dish, deeply rooted in the traditions of Southern cooking, promises an explosion of tastes and textures that will leave you craving for more. Discover the secrets behind this delectable creation, from selecting the perfect eggplants and curing the country ham to the art of creating a rich and savory sauce. Along the way, delve into variations of this classic recipe, including the tantalizing addition of okra, the smoky allure of smoked ham, and the vibrant zest of lemon and capers. Get ready to indulge in a symphony of flavors that pays homage to the culinary heritage of the American South.
EGGPLANT GRATIN
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Heat about 1/8-inch of olive oil in a very large frying pan over medium heat. When the oil is almost smoking, add several slices of eggplant and cook, turning once, until they are evenly browned on both sides and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Be careful, it splatters! Transfer the cooked eggplant slices to paper towels to drain. Add more oil, heat, and add more eggplant until all the slices are cooked.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together the ricotta, egg, half-and-half, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.
- In each of 2 individual gratin dishes, place a layer of eggplant slices, then sprinkle with Parmesan, salt and pepper and spoon 1/2 of the marinara sauce. Next, add a second layer of eggplant, more salt and pepper, half the ricotta mixture, and finally 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan on top.
- Place the gratins on a baking sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the custard sets and the top is browned. Serve warm.
"BERINZILA" (EGGPLANT AND HAM)
I was given this recipe years ago by a friend. I am not sure what country the dish "Barinzila" comes from, but hope you enjoy it!
Provided by Mareesme
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 dg.
- Peel eggplants, slice, sprinkle lightly with garlic salt and set aside about 15 minutes on paper towels.
- Saute onion in 1 T butter or oil, add ham and wine, and cook until wine nearly evaporates. Add tomatoes and simmer 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, pat eggplant dry, dust with flour and fry in 2 T butter or oil until golden. Drain.
- Layer eggplant, then a portion of ham mixture, another layer of eggplant, etc. in greased casserole dish and cover with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake at 350 dg. for 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 365.3, Fat 21.2, SaturatedFat 10, Cholesterol 86.3, Sodium 112.2, Carbohydrate 21.3, Fiber 10.4, Sugar 9.4, Protein 21.8
Tips:
- To ensure the best flavor, choose ripe, firm eggplants. Avoid eggplants that are soft or have blemishes.
- If you don't have country ham, you can substitute regular ham or bacon.
- Be sure to cook the eggplant until it is tender, but not mushy. You should be able to easily pierce it with a fork.
- If you want a thicker sauce, you can add a cornstarch slurry. To make a cornstarch slurry, whisk together equal parts cornstarch and water until smooth. Then, stir it into the sauce and cook until thickened.
- Serve the eggplant and country ham rag over rice, pasta, or grits.
Conclusion:
Eggplant and country ham rag is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The combination of eggplant, country ham, and spices creates a flavorful sauce that is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy dinner recipe, give this eggplant and country ham rag a try.
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