In the realm of culinary delights, the Eggplant Timballo with Cavatelli emerges as a symphony of flavors, textures, and visual appeal. This traditional Italian dish, hailing from the vibrant region of Campania, is a captivating fusion of savory eggplant, tender cavatelli pasta, and a rich tomato sauce, all harmoniously combined in a stunning baked presentation.
As you embark on this culinary journey, you'll be guided through the meticulous steps of preparing this delectable dish. From selecting the perfect eggplants and expertly slicing them into delicate rounds, to crafting a flavorful filling of ricotta, Parmesan, and fresh herbs, each step is explained with precision and clarity.
Furthermore, you'll discover the art of crafting homemade cavatelli pasta, a delightful short pasta with a distinctive shape that perfectly complements the eggplant and sauce. The detailed instructions, accompanied by helpful tips and techniques, ensure that even novice cooks can achieve pasta-making success.
The culinary adventure continues with the creation of a luscious tomato sauce, simmered to perfection with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and fragrant herbs. This vibrant sauce forms the foundation of the dish, adding a layer of rich flavor that elevates the entire composition.
As the eggplant rounds, filled with the savory ricotta mixture, are carefully arranged in a baking dish, a blanket of the homemade cavatelli is gently draped over them. The dish is then crowned with the luscious tomato sauce and sprinkled with a generous layer of Parmesan cheese, creating an enticing golden crust as it bakes in the oven.
Upon its emergence from the oven, the Eggplant Timballo with Cavatelli is a sight to behold, a culinary masterpiece that tantalizes the senses. The tender eggplant, infused with the flavors of the filling, melts in your mouth, while the cavatelli pasta provides a delightful contrast in texture. The rich tomato sauce envelops every bite, bringing harmony to the dish.
Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook seeking a new culinary challenge, this Eggplant Timballo with Cavatelli promises an unforgettable dining experience. Prepare to embark on a journey of culinary discovery as you explore the depths of flavor and artistry in this exceptional dish.
TIMBALLO
Inspired by Mr. Stanley Tucci's movie the Big Night, this is a dish fit for royalty and normal folks. It's a tour de force of fregola, pesto, peas, asparagus, penne with tomato sauce and lasagne noodles with roasted red bell peppers and spinach.
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 2h15m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 26
Steps:
- For the base pasta layer: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne for 10 minutes. Then chill in an ice bath after cooking until cool to the touch. Drain and set aside in a large bowl.
- For the sauce: Heat a 12-inch cast-iron pan over medium-high heat and add the oil. Once, heated, add the onions, garlic, baharat, red chile flakes, fennel seeds and turmeric and cook for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook for another 15 minutes. Puree with an immersion blender if the tomato pieces are large. Season with salt. Add the sauce to the cooked penne pasta along with the Pecorino-Romano. Stir to combine and keep at room temperature.
- For the fregola layer: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fregola pasta for 12 minutes scoop out to drain. Set aside in a large bowl. Add the asparagus to the boiling water and let cook until brightened in color, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to a large plate and let sit until just cool to the touch. Add the peas to the boiling water and let cook until brightened in color, about 2 minutes. Drain and set aside in a large bowl.
- Cut the asparagus into 1-inch pieces and add to the bowl with the peas. Add the pesto and stir to combine. Add the fregola and stir to combine. Set aside.
- For the lasagna layer: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Preheat a pizza oven or oven to broil.
- Boil the pasta sheets for 3 minutes and chill in ice water. Set aside.
- Put the peppers onto a sheet tray and put in the oven to char on all sides, about 10 minutes total, rotating as needed. Remove from the oven and put into a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to steam for 10 minutes. Once cool enough to handle, remove from the bowl and carefully remove most of the charred skin. Stem, seed and slice the red peppers into thick slices and set aside.
- Put a 12-inch cast-iron pan over medium-high heat and add the oil. Once heated, add the spinach, season with salt and toss to combine, allowing the spinach to wilt, about 3 minutes. Set aside.
- For the timballo assembly: Oil a 14-inch cast-iron pan. Add a 1-inch layer of base penne mixture (about 1/3 of the mixture) and flatten. Add half of the fregola/pea mixture and flatten again. Add a layer of the cooked and cooled lasagna sheets to cover. Cover with half of the wilted spinach, half of the roasted red pepper slices and half of the fresh mozzarella slices. Repeat all the layers, finishing with the base penne mixture and garnish with the Parmesan.
- Bake until golden brown and bubbly, about 20 minutes.
TIMBALLO GENOVESE
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories main-dish
Time 5h20m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 26
Steps:
- For the sauce: Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the oil. Season the meat evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt and add to the hot pan. Cook until the meat is deep brown on the first side, about 4 minutes. Flip and continue to cook until deep, dark brown, an additional 3 minutes on each side. Remove the meat to a plate.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the onions and an additional 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir with a wooden spoon, scraping up all the bits from the bottom and coating the onions in the oil from the pan. Cook the onions, stirring often, until deep golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.
- Add the garlic, carrots and celery and cook until fragrant and soft, another 2 minutes. Clear a little space in the pan so you can see the bottom. Add the tomato paste to that spot and toast the paste, stirring often, until deep red, about 2 minutes. Stir the paste into the vegetables and deglaze with the Marsala. Simmer for 3 minutes to reduce slightly. Place the meat back into the pan and add 3 cups water to cover three-quarters of the way. Nestle the Parmesan rind into the sauce. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover with a lid just slightly ajar and simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until slightly reduced and the onions are practically melted into the sauce, about 2 1/2 hours.
- Season with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Remove the piece of meat and the cheese rind. Discard the rind and save the beef for another use. Using a handheld immersion blender, pulse the sauce to even out the consistency. Stir in the butter until combined. Remove 1 1/2 cups of the sauce and reserve for the assembly.
- For the meatballs: Preheat the broiler to high.
- Mix together the milk, bread and egg with a fork in a medium bowl and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to thicken. Stir in the Parmesan, oregano and salt. Using your hands, mix in the beef until just combined. With damp hands, scoop 1/2-teaspoon mounds and roll into uniform balls. Place on a rimmed baking sheet. Broil until browned, about 7 minutes. Set aside.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
- For the filling: Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the oil and bacon and cook, stirring often, until the bacon is crispy and browned, about 5 minutes. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat. Stir in the peas and salt and remove from the heat.
- For the assembly: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season well with salt. Add the pasta and cook for 2 minutes. Using tongs, remove the pasta from the water and add directly to the sauce in the Dutch oven. Sprinkle the bare pasta with 1 1/2 cups Parmesan and toss well with the sauce. Add 1/2 cup pasta water to loosen slightly and help the sauce coat the pasta, if needed.
- Using the tongs, place half of the sauced pasta in the bottom of a springform pan. Spread 1/2 cup of the reserved sauce on top of the pasta. Sprinkle with the smoked provolone. Follow with the pea mixture, then the meatballs. Sprinkle the meatballs with 1/2 cup Parmesan. Press down slightly to pack. Top with the remaining pasta and 1 cup reserved sauce. Press gently to compress. Top the pasta with the remaining 1 cup Parmesan.
- Place on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until golden brown on top, 50 to 60 minutes. Allow the timbale to rest for 30 minutes before running a knife around the edge and unmolding. Slice with a thin, sharp knife to serve.
EGGPLANT TIMBALE-TIMBALLO DI MELANZANE
Eggplant Timbale-Timballo di Melanzane is made with pasta and a meat sauce made with peas. Delicious slices of grilled eggplant wrap around the pasta and it is baked together. A beloved family recipe perfect for the holidays or a special occasion.
Provided by Lora
Categories Dinner
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- MAKE THE SAUCE:
- In medium size sauce pan or a Dutch oven heat the oil on medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 5 minutes more. Next, add the beef and sauté, stirring frequently.
- Break up any large lumps and cook until meat is no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Add the wine and stir together and let it evaporate. Add the tomatoes and basil and cook over medium low heat until the sauce thickens. Add in the peas and stir together. Season with salt and pepper and simmer.
- I simmer my ragu' (Bolognese sauce/meat sauce) for about 2 hours. Add additional water if necessary for desired consistency while it's simmering to thin it out a little. You could make this a day (or two) ahead.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt the pasta water and boil the pasta until it's about 2 minutes from al dente.
- If you cooked the sauce a day or two ahead, remove from the refrigerator and reheat it (this will make it much easier to combine with the cooked pasta).
- While the sauce is simmering, prep the eggplant slices.
- EGGPLANT:
- Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or pre-heat a gas or charcoal grill.
- Slice the eggplants vertically to about 1/4-inch thick slices. Using a pastry brush, generously brush the eggplant slices with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Grill the eggplants until colored with grill marks and tender, about 4-5 minutes per side. You want nice golden slices.
- Set aside the grilled eggplant slices on a baking sheet or a large dish spaced out nicely.
- If you are using sauce that was cooked a day or two before, heat it in a sauce pan on a low simmer while you grill the eggplant.
- Once the pasta is ready, drain it and add to the bowl. Spoon enough sauce onto the pasta enough to cover and stir together to combine. If you are adding any cheese (regular or dairy-free), add it in now. Toss everything to coat (and if you're using cheese, make sure the cheese is distributed everywhere).
- ASSEMBLE:
- Brush a springform pan with olive oil.
- Layer the bottom of the pan with the longest eggplant slices from the bottom and going over the edge of the spring form pan (so it can be folded over the top later), hanging outside of the pan (make sure there are no open spaces, should be covered with eggplant).
- Spoon the pasta mixture on top of the layered eggplant slices.
- Next, fold over the draped slices of eggplant to cover the pasta making sure the whole top is covered. You will have some extra eggplant slices, so use any extra pieces to cover up any open spaces.
- Place the springform pan on a baking dish (this is just in case of any drips through the pan and also makes it easier to take out of oven). Bake for 30 minute.
- Remove the tray from the oven and let it cool for 15 minutes or so. As soon as it cools down enough, put on some kitchen gloves, and release the side of the pan.
- Next, place your serving plate over the top of the timblale and carefully flip it over (it's one swift move, so make sure you're steady when you flip).
- Remove the bottom of the springform pan. Use a very sharp knife and slice into portions and serve. Enjoy!
EGGPLANT TIMBALE
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories main-dish
Time 1h55m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or pre-heat a gas or charcoal grill. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the eggplant slices with 1/3 cup olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill the eggplant until tender and colored with grill marks, about 4 minutes per side. Set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta.
- Meanwhile, warm the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and saute until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the beef and pork, and brown the meat, breaking it into bite-sized pieces with a wooden spoon, about 5 minutes. Add the Marsala and cook until the liquid has evaporated, about 3 minutes. Turn off the heat. Add the peas and marinara sauce and stir to combine. Add the cheeses, basil, and cooked pasta. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the springform pan with the grilled eggplant. Be sure that the slices overlap and hang over the edge of the pan. Fill the pan with the pasta mixture, pressing down to make sure the pan is filling up evenly. Fold the eggplant slices up over the top of the pasta and add a few more slices on top to completely enclose the timbale. Bake the timbale until warmed through and the cheese has melted, about 30 minutes. Let rest on the counter for 10 minutes to set. To serve, invert the timbale onto a serving plate and remove the springform pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese over the top. Slice and serve.
A DRUM OF EGGPLANT AND BUCATINI (TIMBALLO DI MELANZANE E BUCATIN
Making a timballo, or timpano, is an event. It becomes the moment in which ordinary ingredients like macaroni, cheese, and vegetables are transformed into an extraordinary, impressive drum of baked pasta that, when unmolded, receives a standing ovation. The region of Campania claims the timballo as its own and the recipe that follows comes from Sorrento. It calls for bucatini, a thicker cut of hollow spaghetti, which neatly nestles and holds the ingredients together. It is customary in Campania to use buffalo milk mozzarella, a cheese with a delicate texture and superb taste, but it is very perishable and not readily available. Fresh cow's milk mozzarella can be used instead. Assembling the timballo is easy when done in stages. Make the sauce several days ahead; cube the cheese and cook the marble-size meatballs 2 days ahead. Patience is the key to the unmolding; you will get much neater wedges by allowing the timballo to cool for about 20 minutes - and the joy of tasting that first forkful will be worthy of the best drumroll.
Provided by Cook4_6
Categories European
Time 2h30m
Yield 10-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 24
Steps:
- Cut off the stems of the eggplants and discard. Slice the eggplant lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
- Salt and layer the eggplant slices in a colander set over a bowl.
- Place a large bowl of water on top of the slices to act as a weight. Let the eggplant "sweat" for at least 1 hour to remove the excess water.
- Butter a 9 x 3 1/2-inch-deep round mold or cake pan and coat the inside evenly with the 1/2 cup bread crumbs.
- Shake out the excess crumbs and refrigerate the mold until ready to fill.
- To make the sauce:
- In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil and cook, stirring, the onions, carrot, and celery until they soften.
- Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until the garlic softens.
- Stir in the tomatoes, red wine, and bay leaf.
- Cover the pan and simmer the sauce for 30 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper and set aside. Remove the bay leaf before using.
- Cook the bucatini according to the directions.
- Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Set aside.
- In a medium-size bowl, combine the veal, egg, white wine, the 2 tablespoons grated Pecorino, bread crumbs, and salt. Mix gently to just combine the ingredients. Form marble-sized meatballs with your hands.
- Note: Instead of frying the meatballs, bake Bake the meatball on a lightly greased cookie sheet at 350ºF until nicely browned, about 20 minutes.
- Transfer the meatballs to the bowl with the bucatini. Add the mozzarella, parsley, and 2 cups of the tomato sauce. Stir to combine the ingredients well and set aside.
- Rinse and dry the eggplant slices.
- Heat the peanut oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Fry the eggplant slices a few at a time until they soften, about 2 minutes on each side.
- Drain the slices on brown paper.
- Use additional oil if the pan seems dry.
- Preheat the oven to 325ºF.
- Line the prepared mold with the eggplant slices, draping them lengthwise over the bottom and overlapping them up the sides of the mold. There should be about a 3-inch overhang over the top edges of the mold. Make sure there are no open spots and that the mold is completely lined with the slices.
- Spoon the bucatini mixture evenly in the mold, packing it down with a wooden spoon all the way around.
- Fold the overhanging slices of eggplant in over the top of the mold; the mixture should be completely encased by the eggplant.
- Spread 1/2 cup of the remaining tomato sauce over the top of the mold and sprinkle with the 1/4 cup Pecorino.
- Bake the timballo, uncovered, for 45 minutes. It is done when the timballo shrinks a bit along the sides and a knife will easily move along the sides.
- Remove the mold from the oven and loosely cover the top with a sheet of aluminum foil. Let the mold stand for 20 minutes.
- Heat the remaining tomato sauce. Remove the foil from the timballo and run a butter knife around the inside edges to loosen it. Place a serving dish larger than the mold over the top and carefully invert it onto the dish.
- Cut the timballo into wedges and serve with additional sauce on the side.
- Tip: Use fresh mozzarella cheese, but if it is not available, substitute pasteurized.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 355.2, Fat 21.9, SaturatedFat 6.1, Cholesterol 71.6, Sodium 827.5, Carbohydrate 22.9, Fiber 7.5, Sugar 7.8, Protein 17.3
EGGPLANT AND TOMATO CASSEROLE
This is a delicious, easy-to-make, vegetarian casserole! Eggplant, tomato and onion are layered and seasoned with a splash of balsamic vinegar before being topped off with bread crumbs. There are a million variations and additions that you can make to this recipe! Be creative!
Provided by LPATTERSON1978
Categories Side Dish Casseroles
Time 50m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Season the eggplant slices with salt, and let stand for about 10 minutes. Drain off liquid.
- Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Quickly brown the eggplant slices on each side.
- Place a layer of the eggplant slices in an 8 inch square baking dish or casserole dish. Place some tomato slices over the eggplant, and then a few slices of onion. Repeat layers until you run out of eggplant. Pour balsamic vinegar over everything. In a small bowl, stir together the bread crumbs and remaining olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Spread in a layer over the vegetables.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until the top is golden brown and the eggplant is tender.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 328.6 calories, Carbohydrate 36.1 g, Fat 18.8 g, Fiber 6.2 g, Protein 6.3 g, SaturatedFat 2.7 g, Sodium 212.6 mg, Sugar 12.3 g
Tips:
- Choose the Right Eggplants: Select eggplants that are firm, plump, and have a deep purple color. Avoid eggplants that are soft, wrinkled, or have blemishes.
- Properly Salt the Eggplants: Salting the eggplants helps to remove their bitterness. Generously salt the eggplant slices and let them rest for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- Use Good Quality Cheese: The quality of the cheese you use will greatly impact the flavor of the dish. Opt for fresh, high-quality cheeses such as Parmigiano-Reggiano, mozzarella, or ricotta.
- Don't Overcook the Cavatelli: Cavatelli should be cooked al dente, meaning it should have a slight bite to it. Overcooked cavatelli will become mushy and lose its texture.
- Serve the Timballo Hot: Eggplant timballo is best served hot out of the oven. Let it cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Conclusion:
Eggplant timballo is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. With its combination of tender eggplant, flavorful cheese, and hearty cavatelli, it's a dish that is sure to impress your family and friends. Whether you're looking for a vegetarian main course or a unique side dish to accompany your next meal, eggplant timballo is a great choice. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting recipe to try, give eggplant timballo a try - you won't be disappointed!
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