**Mama Chiarello's Stuffed Eggplant: A Culinary Journey into Sicily's Rustic Charm**
Prepare to embark on a delightful culinary adventure as we delve into the enchanting world of Mama Chiarello's stuffed eggplant, a Sicilian specialty that embodies the essence of rustic Italian cooking. This comprehensive guide presents not one, but three enticing recipes that capture the diverse culinary traditions of Sicily. From the classic "Melanzane Ripiene," a symphony of roasted eggplant stuffed with savory breadcrumbs, herbs, and cheese, to the tantalizing "Parmigiana di Melanzane," a majestic stack of eggplant slices layered with rich tomato sauce and gooey mozzarella, each recipe offers a unique expression of Sicilian flavors. But the journey doesn't end there. Discover the secrets of "Eggplant Involtini," where tender eggplant slices are rolled and filled with a delectable combination of ricotta, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes, creating a symphony of textures and flavors. As you navigate through these recipes, let the aromas of roasted eggplant, fresh herbs, and tangy tomato sauce fill your kitchen, transporting you to the heart of Sicily's culinary heritage.
STUFFED FOCCACIA WITH ROASTED EGGPLANT AND OREGANO
Provided by Michael Chiarello : Food Network
Categories side-dish
Time 1h55m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 475 degrees F.
- Slice eggplant into 1/2-inch slices. Salt the eggplant and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes; rinse the slices and pat dry. Brush them with olive oil, sprinkle with thyme, and season with pepper. Place the slices on a baking sheet and roast, not turning, until brown and tender, about 30 minutes. Let cool.
- Separate the dough into 4 rounds. Roll them out into 8 to 10-inch circles. Brush 2 of them with olive oil and lay half the eggplant in the middle of each. Top each with half the tomato sauce, some fresh oregano, half the mozzarella, and 1 tablespoon Parmesan. Top each with a round of dough and crimp the edges to make a seal (like a pie). Pierce the top crust to allow steam to vent, brush with olive oil, and sprinkle with remaining parmesan.
- Position your oven racks to the upper most and lowest positions. Place 2 large baking sheets on the racks and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Carefully remove the sheets and dust them with cornmeal. Transfer the rounds to the baking sheets and brush each with some olive oil. Bake until the crusts are light brown on the bottom, about 20 minutes. When slightly cool, slice like a pie into 8 wedges.
MOM'S STUFFED EGGPLANT (BY MICHAEL CHIARELLO)
I saw Michael make this on his cooking show, Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello. The episode was "Movable Feast".
Provided by Juenessa
Categories Vegetable
Time 1h20m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cut the eggplant in half and scoop out the center, leaving enough meat inside the skin so that it holds its shape when baked.
- Boil the scooped-out center part until very soft, about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a medium saute pan heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat.
- Season the beef with salt and pepper.
- Add the seasoned ground beef to the pan and saute until all of its liquid is evaporated and the beef begins to brown slightly.
- Drain the beef, removing the extra, unnecessary fat.
- Let cool briefly and chop the cooked beef so that there are no large chunks of meat.
- In another medium saute pan over medium heat add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and saute the onions, peppers and garlic together.
- In a bowl mix together the cooked eggplant, vegetables, cooked beef, herbs, 1 cup of the cheese, bread crumbs, and the egg.
- Fill the scooped-out eggplant halves with this mixture, dividing it evenly among the 2 halves.
- Top with chopped tomatoes and the remaining 1/4 cup of grated cheese, season with salt and pepper, place on an oiled oven tray or baking dish, and bake for 50 minutes in preheated oven.
- Let cool briefly, slice widthwise and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 328.6, Fat 20.9, SaturatedFat 5.3, Cholesterol 91.4, Sodium 116.8, Carbohydrate 21.4, Fiber 7.4, Sugar 7.9, Protein 16.1
MOM'S STUFFED EGGPLANT
Provided by Michael Chiarello : Food Network
Categories side-dish
Time 1h15m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cut the eggplant in half and scoop out the center, leaving enough meat inside the skin so that it holds its shape when baked. Boil the scooped-out center part until very soft, about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a medium saute pan heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Season the beef with salt and pepper. Add the seasoned ground beef to the pan and saute until all of its liquid is evaporated and the beef begins to brown slightly. Drain the beef, removing the extra, unnecessary fat. Let cool briefly and chop the cooked beef so that there are no large chunks of meat. In another medium saute pan over medium heat add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and saute the onions, peppers and garlic together.
- In a bowl mix together the cooked eggplant, vegetables, cooked beef, herbs, 1 cup of the cheese, bread crumbs, and the egg.
- Fill the scooped-out eggplant halves with this mixture, dividing it evenly among the 2 halves.
- Top with chopped tomatoes and the remaining 1/4 cup of grated cheese, season with salt and pepper, place on an oiled oven tray or baking dish, and bake for 50 minutes in preheated oven. Let cool briefly, slice widthwise and serve.
STUFFED EGGPLANT
Don't discount the eggplant! This underrated veggie turns downright succulent when cooked correctly and stuffed with ground beef and veggies-it's a hearty, comforting and a delight to the taste buds. Herbs and pecorino Romano cheese add extra flavor and the toasted breadcrumbs add a satisfying crunch!
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 1h20m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F.
- Cut the eggplant in half and scoop out the center, leaving enough meat inside the skin so that it holds its shape when baked. Chop eggplant that has been scooped out of the inside; place in saucepan, cover with water and boil until very soft, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a medium sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat. Salt and pepper the beef. Add the seasoned ground beef to the pan, and sauté until all of its liquid is evaporated and the beef begins to brown slightly. Let cool briefly, and chop the cooked beef so that there are no large chunks of meat. In another medium sauté pan over medium heat, add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, and sauté the onion, pepper and garlic together in the oil.
- In a bowl, mix together the cooked eggplant, vegetables, beef, herbs, 1 cup of the cheese, 1/4 cup of the bread crumbs and the egg. Fill the scooped-out eggplant halves with this mixture, dividing it evenly between the two halves.
- Top with chopped tomatoes, the remaining 1/4 cup cheese, remaining 1/4 cup bread crumbs, and season with salt and pepper. Place on an oiled oven tray or baking dish, and bake for 50 minutes. Let cool briefly; slice widthwise and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 500, Carbohydrate 32 g, Cholesterol 115 mg, Fat 3 1/2, Fiber 9 g, Protein 28 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 850 mg, Sugar 10 g, TransFat 1/2 g
Tips:
- To make the perfect stuffed eggplant, choose firm, ripe eggplants that are about the same size. This will ensure that they cook evenly.
- Before stuffing the eggplants, salt them and let them rest for 30 minutes. This will help to draw out the bitterness.
- When cooking the eggplants, be sure to preheat the oven to the correct temperature. This will help to prevent the eggplants from becoming soggy.
- To prevent the eggplants from drying out, cover them with foil during the first half of the cooking time.
- If you are using a meat filling, be sure to cook it thoroughly before stuffing the eggplants.
- To make the perfect tomato sauce, use ripe, juicy tomatoes. You can also add a variety of herbs and spices to taste.
- If you are using a cheese filling, be sure to use a cheese that melts well. This will help to create a gooey, delicious filling.
- Serve the stuffed eggplants immediately after they are cooked. This will ensure that they are at their best.
Conclusion:
Stuffed eggplants are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are perfect for a main course or a side dish, and they can be made with a variety of different fillings. With a little planning and effort, you can create a stuffed eggplant dish that will be the star of your next meal.
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