Eggplants with cheese appetizer (Berenjenas con queso)
Again, we see a strong Italian influence in this appetizer from Argentina...
Ingredients
* 2 lb. Medium eggplants with unbruised shiny skin (we won’t peel them),
* Peeled plum tomatoes, seeded and diced, 6, can be replaced by a can of diced tomatoes au naturel.
* 1 Red bell pepper,
* 1 Onion,
* Three cloves Garlic
* 1 lb. Cuartirolo Cheese, substitute by mozzarella if unavailable
* Grated Sardo cheese,
* 1/2 cup Olive oil, as needed
* Salt, as needed
* Pepper, oregano and thyme, to taste
1) Remove the green stalks of the eggplants; slice the eggplant lengthwise into slices 1/4 inch thick. Arrange the eggplant slices in a strainer and cover with salt on both sides; add another layer of eggplant and salt, and stack them up this way making sure all layers have salt; this will make the eggplants lose their excess water.
2) Allow the eggplant rest like this in salt for 45 minutes.
3) Meanwhile begin preparing the tomato sauce:
- Chop the onion and bell pepper.
- Crush the garlic clove.
- Heat the pan.
- Add a splash of olive oil.
- Fry the crushed garlic clove, pepper and onion until it is translucent
- Add the tomatoes
- mix in the spices
- Season with salt and pepper and cook 15 minutes.
4) Wash the eggplants to remove the salt, pat dry with tissue and place in a roasting pan greased with oil. Put them in a the oven, preheated to 350˚F and bake for 10 minutes. Then take a small roaster and place a layer of eggplant, another layer of cheese, cover with eggplant, more cheese again and finish with a layer of eggplant. Pour the tomato sauce over the eggplant and cheese. Add grated parmesan cheese and broil. Take out of the oven and serve hot.
* 2 lb. Medium eggplants with unbruised shiny skin (we won’t peel them),
* Peeled plum tomatoes, seeded and diced, 6, can be replaced by a can of diced tomatoes au naturel.
* 1 Red bell pepper,
* 1 Onion,
* Three cloves Garlic
* 1 lb. Cuartirolo Cheese, substitute by mozzarella if unavailable
* Grated Sardo cheese,
* 1/2 cup Olive oil, as needed
* Salt, as needed
* Pepper, oregano and thyme, to taste
1) Remove the green stalks of the eggplants; slice the eggplant lengthwise into slices 1/4 inch thick. Arrange the eggplant slices in a strainer and cover with salt on both sides; add another layer of eggplant and salt, and stack them up this way making sure all layers have salt; this will make the eggplants lose their excess water.
2) Allow the eggplant rest like this in salt for 45 minutes.
3) Meanwhile begin preparing the tomato sauce:
- Chop the onion and bell pepper.
- Crush the garlic clove.
- Heat the pan.
- Add a splash of olive oil.
- Fry the crushed garlic clove, pepper and onion until it is translucent
- Add the tomatoes
- mix in the spices
- Season with salt and pepper and cook 15 minutes.
4) Wash the eggplants to remove the salt, pat dry with tissue and place in a roasting pan greased with oil. Put them in a the oven, preheated to 350˚F and bake for 10 minutes. Then take a small roaster and place a layer of eggplant, another layer of cheese, cover with eggplant, more cheese again and finish with a layer of eggplant. Pour the tomato sauce over the eggplant and cheese. Add grated parmesan cheese and broil. Take out of the oven and serve hot.