Crescenza Stack Recipes

Steps:

• Salt the eggplant on each side and let it drain in a colander for about 30 minutes to get the bitterness out. Place something heavy, like a frying pan, on top to get the moisture out.
• In a medium bowl, place the flour, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. In a second medium bowl, add the eggs, Parmigiano-Reggiano, half of the parsley and some salt and pepper, and whisk together. In a third medium bowl, add the breadcrumbs and the remaining parsley and toss together. Coat the eggplant slices in the flour, then in the egg mixture and then in the breadcrumbs.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet and fry the eggplant slices until they're crisp and golden brown. Don't crowd the pan. Let them drain on a paper towel to get excess oil off.
• Top 1 slice of eggplant with 1 slice of tomato, and then season with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Add 3 basil leaves, top with extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar and a slice of mozzarella. Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients.
• In a large bowl, toss the arugula with some salt, pepper and extra-virgin olive oil. Add to the top of the stacks and add more Parmigiano-Reggiano on top. Season with salt and pepper.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400˚. Brush a 24-cup mini-muffin pan (preferably nonstick) with olive oil. Toss the potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, olive oil, garlic, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl.
• Place a potato slice in each muffin cup (trim if needed). Top with an eggplant slice, then a tomato slice. Cover the pan with foil and bake until the vegetables are tender, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Uncover the pan, sprinkle with the parmesan and bake, uncovered, until browned, about 15 more minutes. Let cool 5 minutes, then remove from the pan. Top with chopped parsley.

Steps:

• Make the Cornmeal Crepes and the Poblano Chile Cream.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• In an ovenproof baking dish large enough to hold 4 crepes, side by side without touching, place the first 4 crepes. Top each crepe with 1/4 cup of the cooked lobster. Top the lobster with 1/4 cup of the grated cheese. Sprinkle the cheese with 1 teaspoon of the pine nuts and 1 teaspoon of the cilantro. Repeat layering 4 crepes, 1/4 cup lobster, 1/4 cup cheese, 1 teaspoon pine nuts, and 1 teaspoon cilantro and finally top with the last 4 crepes. You should have 4 stacks.
• Pour the Poblano Chile Cream over all the stacks.
• Bake for about 15 minutes. Transfer each stack to a plate, and serve immediately, garnished with lime.
• In a blender, place the chiles and cilantro. Add the eggs, water, milk, salt, baking powder, cornmeal, flour, sugar, and oil. Blend until very smooth. Let the batter rest at room temperature 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Heat an 8 to 9-inch, well-seasoned crepe pan or small skillet over a medium heat. Coat with a little vegetable oil. When the pan is hot, pour in about 2 to 3 ounces of the crepe batter. Tilt the pan, rotating so the batter is evenly distributed. Cook until the crepe appears dry, then turn and cook on the other side. Repeat until all the batter is used. Store the crepes between sheets of wax paper until ready to use.
• In a blender, place the tomatillos and cilantro. Blend until chopped. Add the chiles, sour cream, chicken stock, oil, lime juice, garlic, and salt. Blend until smooth.
• Store refrigerated until ready to use.

Steps:

• Serving suggestion: dill pickle spears
• Place the head of cabbage in a large microwave-safe bowl, and microwave for about 4 minutes, until the outer leaves begin to loosen.
• Once cool enough to handle, remove the cabbage from the bowl. Gently remove 2 whole outer leaves from the cabbage, and place them back in the bowl. (Reserve the rest of the cabbage for another use.)
• Add 2 tablespoons of water to the bowl with the cabbage leaves. Cover and microwave for about 2 minutes, until leaves are very soft.
• Meanwhile, spray a skillet with nonstick spray and bring to medium heat on the stove. Add the burger patty and onion slice and cook for about 4 minutes per side, until cooked through.
• Top one cabbage leaf with the burger patty, followed by a tomato slice, the onion, and the remaining tomato slice. If you like, top with ketchup and mustard. Gently top with the other leaf. Serve with pickles, if you want, and chew!