RECIPE: REC: Eggplant Involtini. My wife is not fond of eggplant, but she loved this recipe.

RECIPE:

michael-in-phoenix

Well-known member
I'm looking through some of my bookmarked recipes "to try" and found this one. It is from CI. I made it "as written" and it was quite good.

Lisa is not an eggplant fan, but she wants me to keep this in the rotation.

Eggplant Involtini

INGREDIENTS

2 large eggplants (1 1/2 pounds each), peeled

6 tablespoons vegetable oil

Kosher salt and pepper

2 garlic cloves, minced

¼ teaspoon dried oregano

Pinch red pepper flakes

1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, drained with juice reserved, chopped coarse

1 slice hearty white sandwich bread, torn into 1-inch pieces

8 ounces (1 cup) whole-milk ricotta cheese

1 ½ ounces grated Pecorino Romano cheese (3/4 cup)

¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

1 tablespoon lemon juice

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Select shorter, wider eggplants for this recipe. Part-skim ricotta may be used, but do not use fat-free ricotta. Serve the eggplant with crusty bread and a salad.

INSTRUCTIONS

Slice each eggplant lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick planks (you should have 12 planks). Trim rounded surface from each end piece so it lies flat.

Adjust 1 oven rack to lower-middle position and second rack 8 inches from broiler element. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and spray generously with vegetable oil spray. Arrange eggplant slices in single layer on prepared sheets. Brush 1 side of eggplant slices with 2 1/2 tablespoons oil and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Flip eggplant slices and brush with 2 1/2 tablespoons oil and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Bake until tender and lightly browned, 30 to 35 minutes, switching and rotating sheets halfway through baking. Let cool for 5 minutes. Using thin spatula, flip each slice over. Heat broiler.

While eggplant cooks, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch broiler-safe skillet over medium-low heat until just shimmering. Add garlic, oregano, pepper flakes, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes and their juice. Increase heat to high and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until thickened, about 15 minutes. Cover and set aside.

Pulse bread in food processor until finely ground, 10 to 15 pulses. Combine bread crumbs, ricotta, 1/2 cup Pecorino, 1/4 cup basil, lemon juice, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in medium bowl.

With widest ends of eggplant slices facing you, evenly distribute ricotta mixture on bottom third of each slice. Gently roll up each eggplant slice and place seam side down in tomato sauce.

Bring sauce to simmer over medium heat. Simmer for 5 minutes. Transfer skillet to oven and broil until eggplant is well browned and cheese is heated through, 5 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Pecorino and let stand for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon basil and serve.

https://recipeswap.org/fun/wp-content/uploads/swap-photos/eggplant-involtini.jpg

 
This looks tasty! I have been making different recipes for years

to find an eggplant rollatini as good as the ones we had in 2005 at a mom and pop pizza place outside of Lake George in upstate New York. Yours is next! Thank you Michael for sharing! Colleen

 
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