tag:www.rhnh.net,2008:/eggplantEggplant - Xavier Shay's Blog2007-03-02T05:19:19ZEnkiXavier Shaynotreal@rhnh.nettag:www.rhnh.net,2008:Post/972007-03-02T04:59:00Z2007-03-02T05:19:19ZEggplant Stacks<p>I attended a murder mystery party last weekend, tasked with supplying an entree. Wanting to impress, I tried to work some eggplant magic.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/6458/baked+eggplant+with+goats+cheese+cream" title="This is the recipe">Baked Eggplant with Goat’s Cheese and Cream</a></p>
<p>There were going to be logistical headaches, since I was going to have to make most of it in Geelong a day before, take it on the train, and then finish preparation on location. At home, I sliced the eggplant and fried it (took 4 lots through the pan), then stored layered on paper towel in a large tupperware container, which went into the fridge overnight.</p>
<p>Once I got to the party the next day, I got the oven warming up while I prepared the cheese and tomato sauces. I used Persian fetta instead of goat’s cheese and neglected to add any Thyme. I felt these were acceptable compromises. I probably should have made these sauces the day before also and brought them up on ice, since you want to spend as little time as possible preparing when there is a murder afoot.</p>
<p>It would also be prudent to cut more slices than you strictly need – I had catered for 8 and 10 showed up, so many of our stacks were only two high.</p>
<p>Perhaps because the eggplant hadn’t come straight out of the frying pan, I needed to leave it in the oven for an extra 5-10 minutes, and even then there were small portions that were not quite cooked. It could have used longer, but having not made the dish (or indeed, anything similar) before I was afraid of burning it.</p>
<p>I was impressed with the outcome, but only half the plates were returned completely empty, so it may not be as tasty as I think. I’ll be trying it again though that’s for sure.</p>