Rec. Mediterranean Eggplant Pie by Robin Leach

marsha-tbay

Well-known member
Robin Leach's Mediterranean Eggplant Pie

1 medium eggplant, cut into 1/4"" thick slices (If fresh and thin-skinned, do not peel)

Salt and Freshly ground pepper, to taste

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 large sweet onions, sliced

1 10-ounce package fresh spinach, cleaned and trimmed of stems

2 medium tomatoes, peeled and sliced

3/4 cup pesto sauce, homemade or store-bought

1 unbaked pastry crust, for 10-inch pie

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Lightly butter a 2 3/4 qt. deep baking dish (such as a souffle' dish) that is 8 to 9 inches in diameter.

Season the eggplant with salt and pepper. Set aside.

In a large skillet heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 10 minutes until they are softened, but not browned. Set aside.

Place the washed spinach in a pot. Cover and cook over high heat for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the spinach is wilted. Squeeze as much moisture as you can out of the spinach.

Arrange half the eggplant in the bottom of the prepared dish. Top with layers of half the onions, spinach, tomatoes, and pesto sauce. Repeat the layers with the remaining ;ingredients, ending with the pesto sauce.

Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface until it is large enough to over the top of the casserole. Place it on top, form a decorative riased edge.

Bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Let stand for 15 minutes.

Serve wedges, garnished with caviar if desired.

Author: Robin Leach

Source: Cooking with Regis and Kathie Lee

Chupa Babi-gourmetrcps

ChupaNote: add 1/2 t. red pepper flakes to the onions in oil. Add more, to taste, for some heat and zip.

 
Yes, it sounded good, but my results weren't ...

Had over an inch of liquid in the bottom of the dish, and the flavors were not great. An Eggplant Caponata would have been much better. Anyone else have better luck?

 
I would first fry the eggplant that has been dusted with flour...

then add it to the dish. This seems to deepen the flavour. The flour would also soak up some of the juices from the spinach and tomatoes. And I wonder if this would be nicer inverted on a plate for serving...

Also I feel the seasoning was too little...
tomatoes need a wee sprinkle of sugar and salt and pepper.

Spinach goes well with cheese, would some mozzerella do in this, do you think?
On second thoughts feta would be nice.

how much liquid was there?

 
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