Meals Matter

Grilled Eggplant Towers with Tomatoes & Feta

Contributed By: EatingWell
Recipe by: Diane Kochilas, Photo by: Ken Burris

The brief ingredient list belies the complex taste and sophisticated presentation of this vegetarian entree or elegant appetizer. The recipe is a Greco-Italian melange that an Italian friend in Athens makes at his restaurant, Enoteca. The juice that the tomato and eggplant give off while baking becomes the sauce for the dish, perfect for sopping up with crusty bread.

Ingredients

2 1 1/2 pound Eggplants, each cut into 9 1/2 inch thick rounds

1/4 cup Plus 6 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

2 Medium tomatoes, each cut into 6 rounds

Freshly ground pepper to taste

12 Large fresh basil leaves, plus sprigs for garnish

1 1/2 cups Crumbled feta cheese (6 ounces)

Preparation

1. Heat grill to medium.


2. Spread eggplant slices on 2 baking sheets or trays. Brush 1/4 cup oil over both sides of eggplant slices. Spray another baking sheet with cooking spray and arrange tomato slices on it. Season eggplant and tomatoes with pepper.


3. Oil the grill rack. Grill the eggplant slices until browned and tender, 5 to 7 minutes per side. Set aside. Place the baking sheet with the tomatoes directly on the grill rack; cover and grill until tomatoes are bubbling and warm, about 7 minutes.


4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray six 7 to 10 ounce ramekins or custard cups (about the same diameter as an eggplant slice) with cooking spray.


5. Assemble the towers: Using a wide spatula, layer an eggplant slice, a tomato slice and a basil leaf in each ramekin. Sprinkle with about 1 tablespoon feta. Repeat the layering once more, then top with an eggplant slice. Press down lightly.


6. Place ramekins on a baking sheet and bake until heated through and juices are bubbling around the edges, 25 to 35 minutes.


7. To serve, run a paring knife around the sides of each ramekin. Invert a plate on top and, grasping ramekin and plate with oven mitts, carefully invert the ramekin onto the plate. (Use caution as both the ramekins and juices are extremely hot.) Remove the ramekins. The juices will form a sauce around the tower. Drizzle each tower with 1 teaspoon oil and garnish with a basil sprig. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature.

Cook's Notes

To make ahead: Prepare through Step 5. Cover and refrigerate for up to 8 hours.

Reprinted with permission of EatingWell, The Magazine of Food & Health

Recipe Comments

There are no comments on this recipe.
Click Here to add a comment.

Rate This Recipe

Scroll over the empty stars to rate.
  1 rating
  Add a Recipe Comment

Recipe Details

Total Preparation Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients: Vegetables
Actual Cooking Time: 15 to 30 minutes
Number of Servings: 6
Origin: Italian
Special Features: Make Ahead
Vegetarian
Nutrition Content: Good Source of Calcium
High Fiber
Meal Type: Appetizers

Nutrient Information

Calories: 265
Total Fat: 19 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.6 g
Carbohydrates: 17 g
Protein: 8 g
Vitamin A: 306 IU
Vitamin C: 13 mg
Calcium: 213 mg
Sodium: 284 mg
Iron: 0.9 mg
Fiber: 7 g