
Sesame Grilled Eggplant and Red Bell
Pepper Carpaccio
with Whipped Tofu
Serves 4
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 tablespoons canola oil
1/4 cup naturally brewed balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons canola oil
2 Japanese eggplant, sliced lengthwise 1/3-inch thick
2 red bell peppers
1 block silken tofu
1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Cooking spray
Prepare a hot grill, sprayed slick. Grill whole red bell peppers to blister
and blacken skin. Once skin is fully blistered, remove peppers to a
heat-proof bowl and cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap. (The steam coming
from the peppers will steam and soften the skin, making them easier to
peel.) In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil, 3
tablespoons balsamic vinegar and canola oil. Season the eggplant slices and
brush them with the sesame vinaigrette. Grill the eggplant slices until
cooked through, glazing each side as necessary, about 4-5 minutes total.
Once peppers have steamed, remove from bowl and peel off blackened skin. Cut
off top of pepper to remove stem and seeds. Make one lengthwise cut in each
pepper, to open pepper and lay flat. Scrape off any remaining seeds and
brush peppers with sesame vinaigrette. Lay pepper on a plate and top with
eggplant slices. Meanwhile, in a food processor fitted with a blade, puree
the tofu with remaining 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil, 1 tablespoon naturally
brewed balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. Check for flavor and
season. Place a quenelle of tofu on vegetable carpaccio, garnish with black
sesame seeds, drizzle extra vinaigrette, serve.
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Wine Notes:
2005 Antinori Santa Cristina Rosso
A blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot. A vibrant fruit aroma with
sweet tannins and lingering fruit on the palate, this red pairs beautifully
with all three East-West recipes from this episode.
2005 Altanuta Alto Adige D.O.C. Pinot Grigio
DOC is the Italian version of the French AOC. DOC wines are produced in
specific, defined regions, according to specific rules for each type of wine
to preserve traditional wine-making. This aromatic wine has flavors of pear,
green apple and lemon. Round and fresh, with an almost effervescent finish,
this pairs nicely with all three dishes from this episode.
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>>This recipe appears in
Episode #520.
>>Click here for a printer
friendly version
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