Thai Style Fusilli With Eggplant And Shiitake Recipes

Steps:

• Fill a 4-quart kettle three-fourths full with salted water and bring to a boil for cooking fusilli.
• Cut eggplant into 1/2-inch cubes and transfer to a colander set over a bowl. Sprinkle eggplant lightly with salt and let drain 10 minutes. While eggplant is draining, discard stems from mushrooms and cut caps into 3/4-inch pieces. Cut scallions diagonally into thin slices. Quarter tomatoes and chop jalapeño including seeds (wear rubber gloves). Rinse eggplant and squeeze dry, discarding any liquid in bowl.
• Boil fusilli until al dente.
• While fusilli is boiling, in a large non-stick skillet cook gingerroot and garlic in oil over moderately high heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add eggplant and mushrooms and sauté, stirring constantly, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add scallions and sauté, stirring, until eggplant is tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in coconut milk, tomatoes, jalapeño, basil, and salt and pepper to taste and cook just until heated through, about 30 seconds.
• Drain fusilli in a colander and in a bowl toss with sauce.

Steps:

• Slice the eggplant and sprinkle with salt. Leave them for 30 minutes, then pat them dry with paper towels.
• Preheat grill or broiler. Brush the eggplant slices on both sides with olive oil and sprinkle them with garlic. Grill them until tender and set aside. When the eggplant has cooled, chop it into half-inch pieces.
• Meanwhile, bring six quarts salted water to a rolling boil and add the fusilli. Cook until al dente.
• While the pasta is cooking, chop the oregano and saute it in the remaining olive oil for one to two minutes. Add the olives, tomatoes and eggplant and heat them through.
• Drain the fusilli. Put the sauce in a heated serving bowl and add the pasta. Toss well and add the pine nuts. Season with salt and pepper and serve. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese should be passed separately.