Best 7 Israeli Couscous Eggplant And Tomato Gratin Recipes

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**Israeli Couscous, Eggplant, and Tomato Gratin: A Culinary Journey Through the Mediterranean**

Embark on a culinary adventure to the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean with this delectable Israeli couscous, eggplant, and tomato gratin. This vibrant dish is a symphony of flavors and textures, featuring tender couscous, roasted eggplant, juicy tomatoes, and a medley of aromatic spices. It's a perfect balance of hearty and refreshing, making it a versatile side dish or a satisfying main course. Accompanying this main recipe are variations that cater to different dietary preferences, including a vegan option that showcases the versatility of this dish. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a culinary novice, this recipe will guide you through the process of creating a Mediterranean masterpiece that will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the heart of this vibrant region.

Let's cook with our recipes!

EGGPLANT GRATIN



Eggplant Gratin image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     side-dish

Time 45m

Yield 2 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

Good olive oil, for frying
3/4 pound eggplant, unpeeled, sliced 1/2-inch thick
1/4 cup ricotta cheese
1 extra-large egg
1/4 cup half-and-half
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup good bottled marinara sauce

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.

ROASTED TOMATO AND EGGPLANT GRATIN



Roasted Tomato and Eggplant Gratin image

Provided by Aaron May

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 cup panko
1/2 cup grated pecorino
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons chopped oregano
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup thinly sliced red onion
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1 cup chopped heirloom tomatoes
1 1/4 cups tomato puree
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive, plus more for drizzling
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon sriracha
5 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 large eggplants, cut vertically and flesh scooped out (reserve eggplant skin)
1 cup grated or finely chopped fresh whole milk buffalo mozzarella (or other mozzarella cheese)

Steps:

  • For the gratin topping: Combine the panko, pecorino, oil, oregano salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Mix until the crumbs are evenly coated with the oil.
  • For the eggplant and tomatoes: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Combine the onions, cherry tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, tomato puree, oil, soy, sriracha, garlic and eggplant flesh in a large bowl. Add half of the gratin topping. With your hands or two spoons, gently mix the vegetables and topping until thoroughly combined.
  • Put the scooped-out eggplants in a baking dish. Pour the eggplant and tomato mixture into the eggplants and top each with the remaining gratin topping. Sprinkle the mozzarella over the top. Bake, uncovered, until the eggplants are tender and the tops are lightly browned, 45 to 60 minutes. If after 30 minutes the tops are browning too rapidly, cover the dish with foil for the remaining cooking time.
  • Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Drizzle with olive oil to taste.

SPICED SEARED EGGPLANT WITH PEARL COUSCOUS



Spiced Seared Eggplant With Pearl Couscous image

This is a great weeknight one-dish dinner, and vegetarian (or vegan if you like) to boot. It is from the cook Adeena Sussman, who divides her time between New York and Tel Aviv, where pearl (or Israeli) couscous is called "p'titim," meaning flakes.

Provided by Julia Moskin

Categories     dinner, pastas, vegetables, main course

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups pearl couscous (also called Israeli couscous)
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups cubed eggplant with skin (about 1 small eggplant)
1 medium yellow or white onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 medium tomato, diced, or 1 cup canned diced tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley
Yogurt, for serving (optional)

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, combine cinnamon, cumin, cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  • Heat a heavy pot (2 to 3 quarts) with a tight-fitting lid over medium until hot but not smoking. Add couscous and toast, stirring often, until golden and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Transfer toasted couscous to a bowl.
  • Add oil to pot and raise heat to medium-high. When it shimmers, add eggplant, onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring often, until onions are softened and golden and the eggplant is browned and slightly shrunken, 8 to 10 minutes. Add garlic and stir just until fragrant.
  • Add tomato paste and the prepared spice mixture and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in toasted couscous, tomato and 1 1/2 cups water, cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the couscous has absorbed all the liquid, 8 to 12 minutes. Turn off the heat and let rest 2 minutes. Uncover, stir in paprika and parsley, then taste and adjust the seasoning with salt. Serve immediately and dollop with yogurt, if desired.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS, EGGPLANT AND TOMATO GRATIN



Israeli Couscous, Eggplant and Tomato Gratin image

This is an eggplant Parmesan of sorts on top of a bed of Israeli couscous. If you've made fresh tomato sauce over the summer or you're still getting wonderful tomatoes at the farmers' market, use fresh tomato sauce; otherwise, use canned tomatoes for your marinara sauce. You can substitute cooked grains for the Israeli couscous; if you don't tolerate gluten, try the recipe using cooked brown rice instead. I like to use Japanese or baby Italian eggplants for this.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 1/2 pounds eggplant (2 medium globe eggplants or 4 to 6 smaller or Japanese eggplants), sliced into rounds, about 1/3 inch thick
Salt to taste
3 tablespoons extra- virgin olive oil (plus additional for oiling the foil and baking dish)
2 cups cooked Israeli couscous (see below). You can also use regular couscous or any other cooked grain.
2 cups fresh tomato sauce or marinara sauce made from canned tomatoes
2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (1/2 cup, tightly packed)
Torn or slivered basil leaves for garnish

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat foil generously with olive oil. Toss eggplant slices with salt to taste and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Line baking sheet with the slices in a single layer (you may need 2 baking sheets, or do this in batches). Place in oven and roast for 15 minutes. Eggplant will look dry on surface but should be soft when pierced with a knife. Remove from oven and, wearing oven mitts, carefully fold the foil up in half over the eggplant and crimp edges to create a sealed packet. Allow eggplant to steam inside the packet for another 15 minutes (you can cook couscous during this time). Turn oven down to 375 degrees.
  • Oil a 2-quart gratin or baking dish with olive oil. Place cooked Israeli couscous in a bowl and stir in 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce. Spoon into baking dish in an even layer.
  • Remove eggplant slices from foil packet (they should be thoroughly tender), and layer on top of couscous, overlapping slices slightly. Cover with remaining tomato sauce and sprinkle on Parmesan cheese. Drizzle on remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Place in oven and bake 30 minutes, until browned and bubbling. Allow to sit for at least 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with torn or slivered basil leaves just before serving.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 361, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 56 grams, Fat 10 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 13 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 625 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams

EGGPLANT AND TOMATO GRATIN



Eggplant and Tomato Gratin image

This is a delicious, low-fat version of eggplant Parmesan. Instead of the usual heavy, breaded fried eggplant, here the eggplant is roasted and sliced, then layered with a rich tomato sauce and freshly grated Parmesan, and baked in a hot oven until bubbly.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Time 1h30m

Yield Serves 6

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 small or 1/2 medium onion, chopped
2 to 4 garlic cloves (to taste)
2 pounds fresh tomatoes, quartered if you have a food mill, peeled, seeded and chopped if you don't, or 1 1/2 (28-ounce) cans chopped tomatoes, with juice
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/8 teaspoon sugar
2 sprigs fresh basil
2 pounds eggplant, roasted
Salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons slivered fresh basil leaves
2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Roast the eggplant.
  • Meanwhile, to make the tomato sauce, heat the olive oil in a large, heavy, preferably nonstick skillet over medium heat and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 to 8 minutes, and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about a minute, and add the tomatoes, salt (1/2 to 1 teaspoon), pepper, sugar, and basil sprigs. Turn the heat up to medium-high and when the tomatoes are bubbling, stir well and turn the heat back to medium. Cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down and are beginning to stick to the pan, about 25 minutes. Remove the basil sprigs, wiping any sauce that adheres to them back into the sauce.
  • Put the sauce through the fine blade of a food mill if you have not peeled the tomatoes. Otherwise pulse in a food processor fitted with the steel blade until coarsely pureed. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Set aside 1/4 cup of the Parmesan and mix with the breadcrumbs. Oil a 2-quart gratin or baking dish with olive oil. Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce over the bottom of the dish. Slice the roasted eggplant about 1/4 inch thick and set an even layer of the slices over the tomato sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon a layer of sauce over the eggplant and sprinkle with basil and Parmesan. Repeat the layers one or two more times, depending on the shape of your dish and the size of your eggplant slices, ending with a layer of sauce topped with the Parmesan/breadcrumb mixture you set aside. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over the top. Place in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until bubbling and browned on the top and edges. Remove from the heat and allow to sit for at least 10 minutes before serving. Serve hot, warm, or room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 187, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 22 grams, Fat 9 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 8 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 808 milligrams, Sugar 11 grams

EGGPLANT SALAD WITH ISRAELI COUSCOUS AND BASIL



Eggplant Salad with Israeli Couscous and Basil image

Cooked until soft, usually-bitter eggplant blends with sweet caramelized shallots and bright basil for a dish that's simply irresistible.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Salad Recipes

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 7

3/4 cup Israeli couscous
Coarse salt and ground pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound Italian or graffiti eggplants, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
3 shallots, trimmed and quartered
2 teaspoons red-wine vinegar
1/3 cup lightly packed fresh basil, torn

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, combine couscous, 1 cup water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, stir once, and reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook until couscous is tender, about 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid, heat oil over medium-high. Add eggplant and shallots and stir to coat; season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook, stirring frequently, until shallots are caramelized and eggplant is cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes.
  • In a serving bowl, combine eggplant mixture and couscous. Stir in vinegar and basil and season salad with salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 239 g, Fat 11 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 5 g

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH ROASTED EGGPLANT AND CINNAMON-CUMIN DRESSING



Israeli Couscous with Roasted Eggplant and Cinnamon-Cumin Dressing image

Provided by Bon Appétit Test Kitchen

Categories     Side     Roast     Vegetarian     Quick & Easy     High Fiber     Eggplant     Healthy     Low Cholesterol     Cinnamon     Potluck     Couscous     Cumin     Bon Appétit     Vegan     Pescatarian     Dairy Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Nonstick vegetable oil spray
2 3/4-pound unpeeled eggplants, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (8 to 9 cups)
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 cup Israeli couscous
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1/3 cup golden raisins
1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450°F. Coat rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray. Place eggplant cubes on sheet; drizzle with 3 tablespoons oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Roast until tender, turning occasionally, about 40 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, cook couscous in boiling salted water until just tender, about 8 minutes. Drain. Rinse under cold water until cool; drain again. Place in large bowl.
  • Toast cumin seeds in small skillet over medium-high heat until slightly darkened, about 4 minutes. Grind seeds in spice mill; place in small bowl. Add vinegar, cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons oil. Whisk to blend; season with salt and pepper. Mix in onion.
  • Add raisins, cilantro, eggplant cubes, and dressing to couscous. Toss to coat.

Tips for a Perfect Israeli Couscous, Eggplant, and Tomato Gratin:

  • Choose high-quality ingredients: Use fresh, ripe vegetables and aromatic herbs for the best flavor.
  • Prepare the eggplant properly: Salting and draining the eggplant helps remove excess moisture and prevent bitterness.
  • Cook the couscous according to package instructions: Proper cooking ensures the couscous is fluffy and tender.
  • Roast the vegetables: Roasting enhances the flavors of the eggplant, tomatoes, and peppers.
  • Use a flavorful sauce: A combination of tomato sauce, broth, and spices adds richness and depth to the gratin.
  • Layer and bake: Create alternating layers of couscous, roasted vegetables, and sauce for a visually appealing and flavorful dish.
  • Top with cheese: A sprinkling of cheese adds a golden crust and extra flavor.
  • Let it rest before serving: Allowing the gratin to rest for a few minutes before serving helps it set and enhances the flavors.

Conclusion:

Israeli couscous, eggplant, and tomato gratin is a delicious and versatile dish perfect for a vegetarian main course or a hearty side. With its combination of textures and flavors, this recipe is sure to impress your dinner guests. Experiment with different herbs and spices to find your favorite combination and enjoy a taste of Mediterranean cuisine in your own home.

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