Acadia’s Baked Eggplant is a delicious dish that features eggplant as the main ingredient. Its history and origin can be traced back to the Mediterranean region, where eggplant is a common and versatile vegetable used in various cuisines. The dish has gained popularity due to its rich flavors and hearty nature. Given your interest in collecting recipes and the rich white style, here’s a detailed breakdown of the components, preparation steps, and estimated time needed for Acadia’s Baked Eggplant:
Components:
- Eggplant: The star ingredient of the dish. Choose eggplants that are firm, smooth, and free from blemishes.
- Olive Oil: Used for drizzling and sautéing, adding a rich Mediterranean flavor.
- Tomatoes: Fresh, ripe tomatoes are often used to create a flavorful tomato sauce.
- Cheese: Feta or Parmesan cheese can be crumbled or grated and sprinkled over the dish.
- Herbs and Spices: Basil, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper are commonly used to enhance the flavor profile.
Steps to Prepare:
-
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
-
Prepare the Eggplant: Wash and slice the eggplant into rounds, about 1/2 inch thick. Sprinkle some salt on both sides of the slices and let them sit for about 15-20 minutes. This helps draw out excess moisture and bitterness.
-
Prepare the Tomato Sauce: While the eggplant slices are resting, you can prepare the tomato sauce. Heat olive oil in a pan, add minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant. Add diced tomatoes and season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of oregano. Simmer the sauce until it thickens slightly.
-
Assemble the Dish: Pat the eggplant slices dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Brush both sides of the slices with olive oil. Place them on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are tender and slightly golden.
-
Layering: In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce. Place a layer of baked eggplant slices on top. Sprinkle some crumbled feta or grated Parmesan cheese over the eggplant.
-
Repeat: Continue layering with the remaining eggplant slices, tomato sauce, and cheese until you’ve used up all the ingredients.
-
Baking: Place the assembled dish in the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
-
Garnish: Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Estimated Time:
- Preparation: Approximately 30 minutes (including eggplant salting time).
- Cooking: About 40-45 minutes (including baking time).
The total time needed to prepare Acadia’s Baked Eggplant is around 1 hour and 15 minutes. This delightful dish offers a wonderful blend of flavors and textures, making it a great addition to your rich white style recipe collection. Enjoy your culinary journey!
Certainly, here are the nutrition facts and health information for Acadia’s Baked Eggplant:
Nutrition Facts (Approximate values per serving):
- Calories: Around 180-220 calories
- Total Fat: About 10-15g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 3-5g
- Cholesterol: Around 10-20mg
- Sodium: Approximately 400-500mg
- Total Carbohydrates: About 15-20g
- Dietary Fiber: Around 5-7g
- Sugar: Approximately 6-8g
- Protein: About 8-10g
Health Information:
- Rich in Fiber: The eggplant and tomato components of the dish provide a good amount of dietary fiber. Fiber is beneficial for digestive health and can help with maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
- Low in Calories: Acadia’s Baked Eggplant is relatively low in calories, making it a suitable choice for those looking to manage their calorie intake.
- Heart-Healthy: Olive oil, a staple in Mediterranean cuisine, is used in this recipe. It contains healthy monounsaturated fats that are known to support heart health.
- Vitamins and Minerals: The dish is a source of vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin C, and minerals like potassium.
- Antioxidants: Eggplants and tomatoes contain antioxidants such as anthocyanins and lycopene, respectively, which have potential health benefits.
- Vegetarian Option: This dish is vegetarian-friendly and can be part of a plant-based diet.
Remember that the provided nutrition values are approximate and can vary based on factors such as portion size and specific ingredients used. It’s also important to consider any individual dietary restrictions or health conditions. Enjoying Acadia’s Baked Eggplant as part of a balanced diet can contribute to a flavorful and nutritious meal.
