Saveur (August/September 2010)
Two years ago this week, we nominated a Crisp Tomato, Zucchini and Eggplant Bread Gratin as the dish which best captures the flavors of that "in-between season" sandwiched in the middle of summer and fall.
We do love that gratin, but we're going to have to add this Stuffed Eggplant to the list.
It's just the perfect dish for this time of year. Summer's over, according to the calendar, but the sun's still warm and it's still getting up to 90 degrees where we live. The nights, though, are cooler, and there's a tinge of color on the trees. You can feel autumn on its way.
This dish mixes the last, best hits from the summer garden with some grown-up flavors that are unmistakably autumnal.
So come along with us, and celebrate Summerfall!
But the other elements here -- which, in this case, are Greek flavors -- turn this into something else entirely. The lamb (you could also use beef or pork), cinnamon, nutmeg cloves and oregano give this a fantastic, somewhat exotic taste.
And though we were initially skeptical of the beschamel that tops this dish, we foudn that the bubbly, browned parmesan gives the whole dish a warm, comforting indulgence. It's really great!
(Incidentally, Greek cuisine seemed to be on a lot of minds this summer: Both Saveur and Bon Appétit had huge spreads this summer on food from Greece. No complaints from us!)
So if you're looking for a terrific way to bridge the vegetables of summer with the grown-up tastes of fall, look to Greece and this Stuffed Eggplant. Opa!
Stuffed Eggplant
Saveur (August/September 2010)
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(This photo: Saveur)
INGREDIENTS
6 small eggplants (about 3⁄4 or
1 lb. each)
3⁄4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
7 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium yellow onion, minced
3⁄4 lb. ground beef, pork, or lamb
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper,
to taste
2 cups crushed tomatoes
3⁄4 cups dry red wine
2 tbsp. dried oregano
1⁄4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1⁄8 tsp. ground cloves
4 tbsp. unsalted butter
1⁄2 cup flour
2 cups milk
1 1⁄2 cups finely grated Parmesan cheese
2 egg yolks
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Cut each eggplant in half lengthwise and, using a spoon, scoop out most of the flesh, leaving a 1⁄2"-thick eggplant shell; coarsely chop scooped-out flesh and set aside. Working in 2 batches, heat 1⁄4 cup oil in a 12" skillet over medium-high heat. Add eggplant shells and cook, turning once, until browned and just wilted, about 5 minutes. Transfer eggplant shells to paper towels; set aside.
2. Discard oil and wipe out skillet. Heat 1⁄4 cup oil in skillet over medium-high heat; add garlic and onions and cook, stirring often, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add meat, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, and season with salt and pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in reserved eggplant flesh, tomatoes, wine, oregano, cinnamon, and cloves; season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce has thickened, about 45 minutes. Remove pan from heat and set meat sauce aside.
3. Heat butter in a 4-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat. Add flour and cook, whisking constantly, until smooth and slightly toasted, 1–2 minutes. Add milk; cook, whisking often, until sauce coats the back of a spoon, 8–10 minutes. Remove from heat, add 3⁄4 cup cheese and egg yolks; season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir béchamel until smooth; set aside.
4. Heat oven to 350˚. Put eggplant shells cut side up in a rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Sprinkle shells with half the remaining cheese and fill each with reserved meat sauce. Spoon béchamel over top and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake until eggplants are tender, about 20 minutes. Increase heat to broil and cook until béchamel is golden brown and bubbly, about 5 minutes more.
SERVES 6
