eggplant recipe?

[me]

Does anyone have a really yummy one?
I'm letting the kids make their own pizzas tomorrow and since I'm not eating cheese I thought I'd make me cheeseless eggplant parmesan but would love to try something new.

[Marielle]

I've been meaning to try this one with basil instead of the mint:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/g...ipe/index.html

[me]

I have those ingredients, except for the mint or basil
But I'm gonna make it tomorrow. I guess the eggplant doesn't need sweating?

[Marielle]

yeah it doesn't look like that one needs salting at all (I imagine because of the roasting) but be sure to adjust the seasoning to your tastes. It looks like some people complained it was too bland for them and I'm not above upping the spices/salt/pepper with recipes.

Let me know how it turns out and I'll live vicariously through you.

[me]

Ok, ill let you know. I also find I end up upping the spices or I just make note which spices to use and go by taste, I rarely use my measuring spoons.

[rosesnsnails]

I always "sweat" the eggpant. I have never liked it when I didn't.

I participated in CSA this year - and had LOTS of eggplant to eat up.

My favorite recipe:

I love these eggplant "croquettes" ( http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Eggplan....aspx?prop31=1 ). I added cumin to the mix and I baked for 10 minutes on each side at 350 rather than frying. So yum!

[me]

If I had breadcrumbs I'd make both recipes, really
The croquettes kind of like the eggplant parmesan just without the sauce and all mushed then fried. I think I'm gonna buy some more eggplant and breadcrumbs this weekend and see if the kids like it. Maybe have some marinara for dipping.

Depending on babies colick level tomorrow I might have to just make the pasta without sweating the eggplant and see if I notice the difference.

[me]

Guess what I ate for lunch?
It came out good. Nothing super yummy but it was good. Guess I'm to much of a texture/color person. Its a great sauce to make if you don't have enough tomatoes for a full sauce but have eggplant handy.
I did have to add extra spice. I don't think I would have liked it with the mint. Basil would have been very complimentary.
The color of the sauce is a sort of pale pink/beige color with black specks in it. Definately go with fresh crushed black pepper. And the red pepper adds a nice note. I didn't add the cheese though. I kept thinking it needed something like black olives, peas or asparagus pieces. No way my kids would have eaten it even without the red pepper (and they're not picky) But it was good.
It was nice to try something new that didn't take a lot of time or ingredients.
Thanks!

[Marielle]

cool! The black olive addition to make it like a tapenade sounds divine. Maybe even toss in a few canned anchovies in when you whiz the sauce and it should spike it up a bit.