NEW ORLEANS EGGPLANT CASSEROLE
This dish may be served as a main course or as a side dish. It is highly modifiable depending on your taste. Personally, I cannot eat onions and green peppers, so I skip those. You can use less or more rice depending on whether you wish to serve as a main or a side. If you do not like spicy food, use mild sausage or all ground beef and no cayenne pepper or hot sauce. Some Cajun purists may complain, but as a bonafide Coon A**, I can assure you that some of us cannot always eat with such gusto. A true taste of the Big Easy.
Provided by Helen Ann Hebert
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Pork Sausage
Time 4h30m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Slice the eggplants 3/4 inch thick, and sprinkle each side with salt. Allow slices to drain in colander set in the sink for 2 to 3 hours. Wipe off excess salt, but do not rinse slices. Lay the slices into a large skillet with about 2 or 3 tablespoons of water. Cover, and steam over medium heat until tender, about 15 minutes. Remove and cut the slices into 3/4 inch cubes.
- Bring the rice and water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 2-quart casserole dish.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and cook the eggplant cubes for about 10 minutes to slightly dry them, stirring occasionally. Stir in garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 2 more minutes. Transfer the eggplant to a large bowl.
- Cook the fennel in skillet until tender, 5 to 8 minutes; transfer into bowl with eggplant. In the same skillet, brown the pork sausage and ground beef, breaking the meat up into crumbles as it cooks, about 10 minutes. Add meat to eggplant mixture. Drain excess fat from skillet; cook celery, onion, and green pepper until the celery has started to become tender and onion is translucent, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer vegetables to bowl with eggplant and meat.
- Stir cayenne pepper and hot sauce into the mixture, combining the eggplant and meat thoroughly; gently stir in the cooked rice. Check for seasoning, and add salt if necessary. Place the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the casserole with crumbs, and drizzle with melted butter.
- Bake in the preheated oven until hot, about 40 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 486.4 calories, Carbohydrate 49.5 g, Cholesterol 57.9 mg, Fat 25.3 g, Fiber 12.4 g, Protein 18 g, SaturatedFat 8.8 g, Sodium 439.6 mg, Sugar 8.8 g
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Edward Poone
[email protected]This eggplant casserole is a must-try for any eggplant lover.
Devran Parilti
[email protected]This is a great recipe for a weeknight meal. It's quick and easy to make, and the results are delicious.
md billal204
[email protected]I love this eggplant casserole! It's so easy to make and always a hit with my family and friends.
Md Tutul Islam Tutul
[email protected]This eggplant casserole is a great way to sneak some vegetables into your kids' diet. It's cheesy and flavorful, and they'll never know they're eating eggplant.
Nompumelelo Ngwenya
[email protected]I'm not a big fan of eggplant, but I really enjoyed this casserole. The flavors were amazing and the eggplant was cooked perfectly.
MD JiHAT Khan
[email protected]This is a great recipe for a vegetarian main course. The eggplant casserole is hearty and filling, and it's packed with flavor.
Md SAWN
[email protected]I love this eggplant casserole! It's so flavorful and satisfying. I always get compliments when I make it.
Liaquat jann Mallah
[email protected]This eggplant casserole is the perfect dish for a potluck or party. It's easy to make ahead of time and always a crowd-pleaser.
Samir Bay
[email protected]I'm always looking for new ways to cook eggplant, and this recipe is a winner. The casserole was delicious and easy to make.
Diwas Jarkal
[email protected]This eggplant casserole is a must-try for any eggplant lover. It's flavorful, cheesy, and oh-so-satisfying.
Shakti Yadav
[email protected]This is a great recipe for a weeknight meal. It's quick and easy to make, and the results are delicious.
Noria Nkompilo
[email protected]I'm not a huge fan of eggplant, but I really enjoyed this casserole. The flavors were well-balanced and the eggplant was cooked perfectly.
Jithin Gangadharan
[email protected]This eggplant casserole is a great way to use up leftover eggplant. It's also a delicious and easy-to-make dish.
Sakib Sarkar
[email protected]I'm always looking for new and exciting eggplant recipes, and this one definitely fits the bill. The casserole was delicious and easy to make.
K Davis
[email protected]This eggplant casserole is the perfect comfort food. It's hearty, cheesy, and flavorful. I highly recommend it.
Emerald Green
[email protected]I was skeptical about this recipe, but I'm so glad I tried it. The eggplant casserole was absolutely delicious. I will definitely be making it again.
Ray Reilly
[email protected]This was an easy recipe to follow, and the results were amazing. The casserole was creamy and cheesy, and the eggplant was cooked to perfection.
md afride
[email protected]I'm not a huge fan of eggplant, but this casserole changed my mind. It was so delicious and flavorful. I'll definitely be making it again.
Faeaz Ahmeed
[email protected]This eggplant casserole was a hit with my family! The flavors were incredible, and the eggplant was cooked perfectly. I will definitely be making this again.