Caprese Stuffed Roasted Eggplant

Caprese Stuffed Roasted Eggplant is a showstopper of a main course, guaranteed to be loved by vegetarians and omnivores alike. After all, who can resist ripe tomatoes, flavorful basil pesto and melty mozzarella roasted in a hasselback-cut eggplant?

When our elder daughter went off to university, she fell in with a crowd of vegetarians. All really nice kids, I couldn’t help but like them. But that girl had grown up in a home that was definitely meat-centric. How could she live a baconless life! (Was a baconless life even worth living? Turns out, yes.) 

Fortunately she came home that first Christmas with a flexible attitude and a few lovely recipes to teach me. She was happy to eat whatever side dishes I made with dinner and just skip the meat portion. But that began my search for tasty vegetarian recipes we would all enjoy.

On many Sunday dinner tables around the world, including ours, the centerpiece of every meal is something roasted, perhaps beef, chicken, pork or leg of lamb. The vegetables, gravy and bread rolls that accompany the meat are supporting actors, but that big oven-roasted turkey or ham at Christmas time? Those are the superstars.

In vegetarian households some replace the meat with a nut roast or faux meat of some kind, perhaps made out of tofu or seitan. I am not a fan of those though and would rather make a lovely roasted vegetable ratatouille or eggplant Parmigiana. Or skip the showstopper all together and just make several vegetable and pasta dishes with a side salad. Hey, if you really need a centerpiece, how about some flowers?

Or you can try my wonderful Caprese Stuffed Roasted Eggplant. It’s more impressive with one big eggplant. In fact, I almost turned the words around and called it a Caprese Stuffed Eggplant Roast, but you can also use several smaller eggplants if that’s what you have available.

Caprese Stuffed Roasted Eggplant

If you do have one large eggplant, the trick is to roast it in a pan or dish that is just the right size so you can press it down to fit securely. That way, it won’t tip sideways as it bakes. My eggplant is one big guy, almost 10 inches or 25cm long. It weighed 1 lb 9 oz or 710g, before being stuffed. This will serve 3-4 people as a main course, with side dishes.

Ingredients

1 very large eggplant or 2 normal sized ones

2 large beef tomatoes, halved and sliced

4 3⁄4 oz or 135g mozzarella cheese, not soft burrata but the pizza

kind, sliced

3⁄4 cup or 190g pesto 

2-3 tablespoons olive oil

Optional for serving:

Toasted pine nuts, little basil leaves and fresh grated Parmesan

Method

Preheat your oven to 350°F or 180°C.

Slice the eggplant almost all the way through, leaving the slices connected at the bottom. (The easiest way to do this is to place a chopstick or wooden spoon handle on either side of the eggplant. Cut through just until the knife hits the chopstick or spoon. The slices should be around 1/3 in or 7-­8mm thick.

You’ll have to hold the eggplant to support the uncut side, allowing the cuts to open a bit. Put a healthy teaspoon of pesto into each cut then stuff a tomato and mozzarella slice in after, which should push the pesto down into the cut and spread it around. This was awkward to photograph but here’s my best try.

Place the stuffed eggplant in a snug ovenproof baking dish greased with a little olive oil. Push it down so it almost lays flat. It will slump completely flat as it roasts.

Drizzle on a little olive oil and roast in your preheated oven for about an hour or until the eggplant is cooked through and nicely browned. If you are feeling really insecure about its stability, feel free to prop it up on both sides with some foil or even a halved tomato. 

To serve, cut through the bottom of the slices, making sure that each slice has some cheese and tomato on top as you lay them on the dinner plates.

Sprinkle with pine nuts, basil and Parmesan, if desired.

Enjoy!

For many people, eating healthier means eating meat for fewer meals and more vegetables so I figured this dish was perfect for today’s Sunday FunDay theme Welcoming 2021 – Let’s Celebrate and Stay Healthy! Many thanks to our host, Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm. Check out all the other lovely dishes we are sharing. 

• Baked Plantains (Plátanos Maduros Horneados) from Sid's Sea Palm Cooking 
• Caprese Stuffed Roasted Eggplant from Food Lust People Love
• Fresh Turmeric & Chia Seed Pudding by Sneha's Recipe
• Healthy Easy Immune Boosting Smoothie from Making Miracles
• Kadha (Spiced Herbal Drink) from Cook with Renu 
• Lemony Chili Roasted Sweet Potato Hummus from Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
• Misir Wot (Ethiopian Lentils) from Palatable Pastime 
• Roasted Chicken with Greek Salsa by A Day in the Life on the Farm

We are a group of food bloggers who believe that Sunday should be a family fun day, so every Sunday we share recipes that will help you to enjoy your day. If you're a blogger interested in joining us, just visit our Facebook group and request to join.

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Roast Za’atar Chicken and Eggplant Salad

Not your typical salad, this lovely roast za’atar chicken and eggplant salad combines fresh herbs with succulent chicken thighs and golden fried eggplant, drizzled with a tangy pomegranate molasses dressing.

The day I made this, I came home from the store with the chicken thighs, with a salad in mind. I had some fresh Turkish figs in the refrigerator, a seriously creamy blue cheese, and lots of salad greens. Then I ended up back at the shopping center because I needed to get new visa photos taken. The photographer said they’d be ready in 15 minutes, so I wandered through the supermarket once more.

The bulk spices caught my eye – and my nose – and there on the spot, my whole plan changed. Oh, I’d still do a salad, but it would be a warm one, with za’atar spiced chicken and herbs. Maybe some eggplant? Yes, definitely eggplant. But what sort of dressing then? Pomegranate molasses! Ooooh, I couldn’t wait to get home to make it.

I collected my visa photos – As I told the lady, I looked like a criminal; I hope they renew my resident visa! – and I hurried home.

Roast Za’atar Chicken and Eggplant Salad

This recipe was very much a flying-by-the-seat-of-my-pants affair. But fortunately, I wrote it all down and took photos, so I can share with you. It is sooooo delectable. I sent the recipe to my friend, Carolyne, in England so she could make it this weekend. She and her husband enjoyed it as well. I hope you all love it as much as we did.

Ingredients
For the warm salad:
2.2 lbs or 1kg chicken thighs*
Freshly ground black pepper
Sea salt
3 tablespoons Lebanese za’atar
4-6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 medium eggplant (400g)
small bunch flat leaf parsley, hard stems removed
small bunch cilantro (fresh coriander)

For the dressing:
1/4 cup or 60ml pomegranate molasses (buy the best quality you can find, preferably, no sugar added - or make your own!)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon za’atar

Optional: fresh red chili pepper, minced, for garnish - or sprinkle on a few pomegranate arils - those would be lovely too.

*Note: our chicken thighs are small compared to the ones I can buy back in the US so I count on at least 2 thighs per person.

Method
Warm the molasses in the microwave in a clean jar. Add the other ingredients and shake well. Leave to cool before pouring over salad.

Tip: If you don’t use your pomegranate molasses very often it’s a good idea to keep it in the refrigerator. Sometimes the natural sugars crystalize. If this happens to yours, measure the molasses into a microwave proof bowl or jar and give it a few zaps until it is warm enough to melt the sugar crystals. Allow to cool slightly before adding the garlic, oil and za'atar to make the dressing.

Set the oven to preheat at 400°F or 200°C.

Trim the excess fat off of your chicken thighs and discard. Season the bottom (non-skin side) with a good sprinkle of black pepper, salt and almost half of the za’atar.

Drizzle two tablespoons of olive oil in your baking pan – use an iron skillet if you have one.

Arrange the chicken thighs skin side up in the pan. Season with a good sprinkle of black pepper, salt and the balance of the za’atar. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil on top of the seasoned thighs.

Roast for about 30 minutes in your preheated oven. (If you have larger chicken thighs, they may need an additional 10 minutes in the oven. You want to reach an internal temperature of 180°F or 83°C.) Baste with the chicken juices halfway though.

Meanwhile, trim the stem off of your eggplant and cut them in fat sticks. Sprinkle with fine sea salt and set aside in a colander to drain.

Remove the chicken from the baking pan or skillet, transfer it to a plate and cover with foil.

Dry the eggplant with a teacloth and fry the pieces in the chicken drippings in the same iron skillet on the stove. Add more olive oil if necessary. You may have to do this in two batches so as not to crowd the pan.

Turn the eggplant as needed to brown it on all sides. Remove the pieces to a small plate when done.

To assemble the warm salad, scatter your parsley and cilantro on a large serving dish. Add the chicken thighs and golden eggplant. Optional: Mince a red chili pepper and sprinkle over the top. Drizzle with the dressing to serve.

Enjoy!

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Cajun Shrimp Eggplant Casserole

Spicy eggplant and shrimp casserole is a traditional dish in any Cajun kitchen. It took me a while to come around to loving it but now it's a true family favorite.

My daughters will tell you that a lot of my recipe instructions start with frying bacon and garlic. They like to say ALL but then, they are given to hyperbole and come by that tendency naturally from all the storytellers in our family. As my father always says, “Why let the truth get in the way of a good story?” His own father, their great-grandfather used to say that he didn’t trust a man who could tell a story only one way. So you have to take us all with a grain of salt. 

But it is the gospel truth when I tell you that most Cajun recipes start with we call the holy trinity: onions, bell pepper and celery. This one is no different.

This week, along with the rest of North America and many countries around the globe, Sunday Supper is celebrating mothers so I wanted to make a dish that my mom loves. When I was a child, this shrimp eggplant casserole was one my mom thoroughly enjoyed and my grandmother made it often when we were visiting. I hated it!  Frankly, I hated all things eggplant. I think it was a textural thing. 

I had already had my second child and was 30 years old before I was introduced to eggplant Parmigiana.  Finally, an eggplant dish I liked! But that encouraged me to give some others another try and I am pleased to say that my mom’s favorite is now one of mine too. I don’t know that I make exactly like my grandmother did all those years ago, but I begin with the Cajun holy trinity, and bacon, and that’s the best start.

Happy Mother’s Day to my great traveling companion, positive thinker, faithful role model and unendingly generous mother! I love you, Mom, and wish we were celebrating together today.

My family bookends. They support me from both sides and I am blessed.

Cajun Shrimp Eggplant Casserole

Every Cajun cook has a recipe for a version of this spicy eggplant casserole with shrimp. This one is my attempt to replicate my maternal grandmother’s, in honor of her eldest daughter, my own dear mother.

Ingredients
1 medium onion
1 medium green bell pepper or capsicum
3 stalks celery
4 cloves garlic
3 medium eggplants or aubergine (about 2 lbs or just less than 1 kg)
Sea salt
5 slices sandwich bread (I use whole grain because that’s all I ever buy.)
1 cup milk
1.5 lbs or 680g shrimp, already peeled and cleaned
2 slices bacon
Olive oil
1 1/2 cups or 135g grated Parmesan, divided
2 eggs
2 small chili peppers, minced, or 1 teaspoon chili paste or cayenne
Few good grinds of black pepper
1 cup or 125g dried breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons butter
Parsley for garnish, optional

Method
Finely chop the onion, bell pepper, celery and garlic.

Peel the eggplant and cut it into cubes. Put them in a large bowl, cover with cool water and sprinkle with fine sea salt.

Cut your bread slices into pieces and soak them with the milk.

In a large pan, big enough to eventually hold all your cubed eggplant, sauté the shrimp with a drizzle of olive oil, until just pink. Lightly season with sea salt. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Now fry the slices of bacon with another drizzle of olive oil until crispy and remove them from the pan. Chop them into small pieces.

Tip the onion, bell pepper, celery and garlic into the bacon pan and sauté until they are all soft. Drizzle in a little olive oil if the pan seems dry.

Preheat your oven to 350°F or 180°C and grease a large casserole dish with a little olive oil.

Drain the eggplant in a colander and add it to the bacon pan. Cook the eggplant until it is softened as well. This takes about 10 minutes but you can put a lid on the pan to speed it up a little.

In a very large mixing bowl – I use my largest salad bowl – combine your soaked bread, 2 eggs, bacon, chilies, shrimp and half of the grated Parmesan.  Stir until very well combined.

Add in the sautéed eggplant and a few good grinds of black pepper and stir well.

Pour the whole bowl into your prepared casserole dish and spread the contents out evenly.

Mix your breadcrumbs with the remaining Parmesan and sprinkle this to cover the eggplant mixture.

Cut the butter into little slices and dot them around the top of the casserole.

Bake in your preheated oven for about half an hour or until the casserole is golden brown and bubbling.

Sprinkle with a little chopped parsley when serving, if desired.

Enjoy!

Does your mom have a special dish she loves? Does your family have inviolate Mother’s Day traditions? I’d love to hear about them so please leave me a comment. Meanwhile, check out all the lovely dishes and desserts my Sunday Supper group is sharing today, along with our talented host, Liz from That Skinny Chick Can Bake.

Mother's Day Breakfast:

• Bacon,Egg and Cheddar Scones from Kudos Kitchen By Renee
• Chai Berry Muffins from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Chocolate Almond Prune Bread from What Smells So Good?
• Greek Breakfast Strata from Curious Cuisiniere
• Maple Almond Butter from girlichef
• Orange Julius from Neighborfood
• Rum Rolls from Daily Dish Recipes
• Slow Cooker Eggs with an Asian Accent from NinjaBaking.com

Mother's Day Appetizers, Soups and Salads:

• Asparagus and Prosciutto Crostini from Hip Foodie Mom
• Carrot Ginger Soup from Confessions of a Culinary Diva
• Chilled Spring Pea Soup from An Appealing Plan
• I Love You Mom Melon Salad from Hot Momma's Kitchen Chaos
• Strawberry Salad with Asparagus Mousse from Delaware Girl Eats
• Truffled Sea Salt Shrimp Arugula Salad from Family Foodie
• Vegetable Shu Mai from My Healthy Eating Habits

Mother's Day Main Dishes:

• Betty's Salad from Jelly Toast
• Brussels Sprouts Kofta from Soni's Food
• Cajun Shrimp Eggplant Casserole from Food Lust People Love
• Crepes Lorraine from Noshing With The Nolands
• Greek Chicken Pizza from Casa de Crews
• Ham and Spinach Quiche from Try Anything Once Culinary
• Lightened-Up Penne & Tomato Cream Sauce with Peas & Prosciutto from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Mac & Cheese Dressed Up for Mother's Day from Cooking Chat
• Mini Pot Pies from Jane's Adventures in Cooking
• Paprika Shrimp from Nosh My Way
• Spears in a Blanket from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen

Mother's Day Desserts:

• Banana Cream Pie from Take A Bite Out of Boca
• Black-Eyed Susan from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
• Cannoncini alla Crema from Manu's Menu
• Chocolate Babka from Run DMT
• Chocolate Caramel Tart from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Chocolate Creme Brûlée from Desserts Required
• Frozen Strawberry Cheesecake from Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
• Gluten Free Lemon Curd Pie from Gluten Free Crumbley
• Lemon Cookies from Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Limoncello Lemon Pound Cake from Killer Bunnies, Inc
• Mom's Glazed Blueberry Tarts from The Wimpy Vegetarian
• Mom's Coconut Macaroons from MealDiva
• Mango Sorbet from Pescetarian Journal
• PB&J Macaron from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Peach Cobbler from Cookin' Mimi
• Pina Colada Cake from The Foodie Army Wife
• Pineapple Empanadas from La Cocina de Leslie
• Scotch Tea Cookies from Shockingly Delicious
• Strawberry Shortcake Whipped Cream Cupcakes from Seduction in the Kitchen
• White Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies from Pies and Plots