Cajun Eggplant Casserole Recipes

Steps:

• Place eggplant in a large saucepan; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until tender, 3-4 minutes. Drain., Preheat oven to 350°. In an ovenproof skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add celery, onion and green pepper; saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; stir in tomatoes and eggplant. Saute 5 minutes. Stir in seasonings. Add shrimp and bread crumbs; saute 5 minutes longer, stirring well., Bake 30 minutes. Remove skillet from oven; top with cheese. Bake 5 minutes more.

Steps:

• 1. Brown ground beef and add onion and bell pepper as you brown it. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• 2. Boil whole eggplants until tender.
• 3. When eggplants are tender, peel and cut into bite size chunks. ( I like to remove the seeds but this is optional)
• 4. Add eggplant to meat mixture and add rice. Simmer another 10 minutes. Add salt, pepper and red pepper to taste.
• 5. *Hint - If you prefer using bread to rice, use 3 slices stale or toasted white bread. Wet bread and squeeze out water. Add bread to meat mixture and cook 10 minutes.

Steps:

• 1. Dice unpared eggplant in 11/2 in cubes. Cook eggplant and chopped onion in boiling water to cover for 20 min. or till tender. Drain and mix with all ingredients except grated cheddar and creole seasoning.
• 2. Place mixture into greased casserole and add grated cheddar and creole seasoning on top.
• 3. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbly.

Steps:

• For the casserole: Heat a charcoal grill to medium-high heat. Brush the eggplant with canola oil on both sides and season with salt and pepper. Grill until lightly golden brown and just cooked through, about 3 minutes per side.
• Combine the peppers, pine nuts, garlic, and thyme in a food processor and process until coarsely chopped. With the motor running, slowly the cup olive oil and process until emulsified. Add 1/4 cup Parmesan and some salt and pepper and pulse a few times to incorporate.
• Spoon about 1/2 cup of the pesto over the bottom of a baking dish. Line the dish with the some eggplant slices and then the mozzarella slices. Season with salt and pepper and scatter the oregano leaves over the top. Dollop another 1/2 cup or so of the pesto over, then more eggplant, a bit more pesto and finally the remaining Parmesan. Put on the grill, cover and bake until the cheese is melted and the casserole is hot, about 20 minutes.
• For the breadcrumbs: Heat the oil in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the paprika and cayenne and cook for 30 seconds. Add the breadcrumbs and cook, stirring occasionally, until the crumbs are lightly golden brown. Add the parsley and thyme and season with salt and pepper.
• While the casserole cooks, make the breadcrumbs: Heat the olive oil in a heavy skillet over hot coals or over medium heat. Stir in the breadcrumbs (about 2 cups) and the spice rub and toast, stirring, until the crumbs are golden brown and crisp. Remove from the heat, stir in the parsley, and scatter over the casserole. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Steps:

• For the béchamel: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Add flour and whisk until pale golden, about 5 minutes. Add milk, salt, white pepper and nutmeg, and whisk to combine thoroughly. Cook, whisking frequently, until thickened and smooth, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
• For the casserole: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spread eggplant slices in a single layer on a baking sheet, and thoroughly coat both sides with olive oil and a sprinkling of salt and black pepper. Roast until fully cooked, 12 to 15 minutes, then remove from heat but do not turn off oven. Meanwhile, in a medium skillet over medium-low heat, sauté merguez until browned and fully cooked. Remove from heat and slice into 1/4-inch-thick rounds.
• Oil an 8-by-11, 2-inch-deep baking dish. Spread one-third of béchamel in baking dish. Top with half the eggplant, then half the fontina and half the merguez. Coat with half of the remaining béchamel. Top with remaining eggplant, fontina and merguez. Spread with remaining béchamel and the Parmesan.
• Bake until hot, bubbling and lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Allow to rest for a minute or two, then serve.