Grilled Eggplant Towers With Tomatoes and Feta(From Eating Well

Submitted by Chef #901913

"The Recipe is a Greek-Italian melange that is made in Athens, in Italian restaurant. The juice that the tomato and eggplant give off while baking becomes the sauce for the dish, or sopping up with a crusty breadc."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 50mins
• Ingredients: 7
• Yields: 6 towers
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 3 lbs eggplants, each cut into 9 1/2 inch thick rounds
• 1⁄4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus
• 6 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 medium tomatoes, each cut into 6 rounds
• fresh ground pepper
• 12 large fresh basil leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
• 1 1⁄2 cups crumbled feta cheese (6 oz)

directions

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 onit.
3. Season eggplant and tomatoes with pepper.
4. Oil the grill rack. Grill the eggplant slices until browned and tender, 5 to 7 minutes per side.
5. Set aside. Place the baking sheet with tomatoes on the grill rack; cover and grill until tomatoes are bubbling and warm, about 7 minutes.
6. Preheat oven to 350°F Spray six 7-10 oz ramekins ar custard cups 9 about the sane size as eggplant slices) with cooking spray.
7. 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 of feta. Repeat the layering once more, then top with an eggplant slice. Press down lightly.
8. Place ramekins on a baking sheeet and bake until heated through and juices are bubbling around the edges. 25 to 35 minute.
9. To serve, run a paring knife around the sides of each ramekin. Invert a plate on top and, grasping ramekins and plate with oven mitts, carefully invert the ramekins onto a plate. Very hot. Drizzle the tower with a little oiland garnish with basil sprig. Serve hot , warm or at room temperature.

Reviews

[pansregnig]

Eating Well does it again! I made it pretty much as written. It was easy, and very good. Even my 12 year old liked it (I don't think she would have tried it, except she thought it was zucchini, LOL). I will definitely make this often when we are grilling, grill the vegetables first, then throw the meat on while you pop the towers into the oven.