EGGPLANT CHIFFON RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat your barbecue or broiler until hot. Position the rack about four inches from the heat.
• Brush the eggplant slices liberally with olive oil on both sides. Place them directly on the grill or under the broiler and cook until the eggplant is tender and lightly browned. Turn once. Watch carefully so they do not burn. Remove and set them aside on paper towels to cool slightly.
• Place the whole peppers on the hot grill, turning until the skin is completely charred. Place the charred peppers in a brown paper bag and close. Allow the peppers to steam for about 10 minutes. Remove and scrape off the charred skin, seeds and membranes, and slice into one-inch strips.
• Remove the stems from the eggplant. Arrange the eggplant slices, pepper strips and onion rings in a shallow bowl. Crumble the goat cheese on top.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, thyme, and salt and pepper. Drizzle it over the eggplant mixture. Sprinkle on the parsley and serve either warm or at room temperature. Add extra vinegar if needed.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9 by 13-inch casserole dish.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1/4 cup of the oil.
• Add the eggplant in batches, seasoning on both sides with salt and pepper, and cook until golden, adding more oil as needed.
• Transfer to a plate when each batch is done.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot but not smoking, add the onion and sausage.
• Cook, stirring until the sausage is browned and the onion is soft about 6 minutes.
• Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring frequently, until it begins to brown.
• Add the tomatoes, their juices, the Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon of salt, and the crushed red pepper.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and gently simmer, uncovered, until the flavors marry and the sauce slightly thickens, about 20 minutes.
• Remove from the heat. Add the basil and adjust seasoning, to taste.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and forms a light roux, about 2 minutes.
• Whisk in the milk and, whisking frequently, cook until the sauce is thickened and smooth, about 4 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and season with the nutmeg and salt and pepper, to taste.
• Arrange half of the eggplant slices on the bottom of the casserole, overlapping as necessary.
• Top with half of the cooked pasta; then half of the sausage-tomato sauce.
• Place another layer of eggplant slices on top of the sauce.
• Then layers of pasta and sausage-tomato sauce.
• Pour on the white sauce.
• Then top with the grated mozzarella and Parmesan.
• Bake for 35 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown on top.