Best Creole Stuffed Eggplants Recipes

SHRIMP STUFFED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Slice whole eggplant lengthwise. Cut a cross-hatch in the eggplant with a sharp utility knife and brush some olive oil over the eggplant. (See Recipe Notes)
• Place the eggplant, cut side down on a baking rack and place in a preheated 400 degree (F) oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until the eggplant meat is soft.
• Allow the eggplants to cool. Scoop out the pulp, leaving about ¼ inch of the shell-resembling a little boat.
• Chop the scooped-out eggplant and set aside.
• Peel, de-vein and rinse the shrimp, then pat dry with paper towels.
• Chop about ¾ of the shrimp into small pieces, leave the remainder whole.
• Mix with some creole seasoning and set aside.
• Heat butter in a dutch oven over medium-high heat until bubbly.
• Saute the onions, bell peppers and celery in the butter until beginning to caramelize, about 8 to 10 minutes.
• Add the garlic and green onions and saute until aromatic, about 2 minutes.
• Mix in about half of the Herb and Spice Blend and the bay leaves. Saute for about 2 minutes.
• Add in the chopped eggplant; reduce heat to medium, cover the dutch oven and slow simmer about 10 to 15 minutes.
• Add the Worcestershire sauce and the stock, uncover and simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes until the eggplant is very soft and mash-able. (See Recipe Notes)
• Add in the shrimp, mix well and saute until the shrimp start to turn pink, simmer about 5 to 10 minutes.
• Stir in the breadcrumbs, starting with about half and adding more until you have the consistency of a filling.
• Add in the rest of the Herb and Spice Blend, mix well.
• Remove the Dutch oven from the heat, cover and let sit for about 5 minutes.
• Remove the lid and allow the eggplant to cool about 15 minutes before stuffing. Remove bay leaves.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• With a spatula or wooden spoon, stuff the eggplant mixture into the eggplant halves, pushing to fill all the voids.
• Once all the filling has been used, sprinkle some bread crumbs on top and place 2 or 3 small tabs of butter on top of each.
• Place in the 350-degree oven and Bake until browning on top,

CREOLE EGGPLANT CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Peel the eggplants and cut them into large cubes. Place the cubes in a large saucepan and sprinkle them with 1 teaspoon of the salt. Add 2 cups water and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let cook until the eggplant is soft, about 45 minutes. Drain off the water and mash the eggplant well with a potato masher, or puree in a food processor or blender.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F Brown the ground beef in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Pour off the excess fat. Add the onions, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Stir well, cover, and let cook until the vegetables are transparent, about 20 minutes. Stir in the thyme, the rest of the salt and the peppers, and cook for 5-7 minutes more. Mix in the pureed eggplant, cook 2 minutes more, and remove from heat. Stir in 1 3/4 cups of the bread crumbs.
• Butter a casserole dish and sprinkle with the remaining bread crumbs. Pour in the eggplant mixture and bake in the oven until bubbling and just beginning to brown, about 20 minutes.

EGGPLANT STUFFED WITH CREOLE SHRIMP

Steps:

• Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise. Run a knife around the inside rim of each half, about 1/2 inch from the skin, making a 1-inch deep cut. Scoop out the pulp, dice and place in a large colander. Toss with 1 teaspoon of salt. Set aside to drain for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Wrap the eggplant halves in foil and bake until soft, about 20 to 30 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Combine 1 teaspoon of the olive oil, onion, garlic, cayenne pepper, thyme and bay leaf in a nonstick skillet. Cook over medium heat until aromatic, about 5 minutes. Remove the bay leaf. Add the eggplants and Tabasco. Stir. Cook for 3 minutes.
• Transfer the stuffing to a large bowl. Set aside to cool slightly. Add ham, red pepper, tomato, shrimp, beaten egg and 3/4 cup bread crumbs. Mix well. Season to taste with remaining salt and pepper.
• Use a spoon to mound the filling into the 4 halves. Sprinkle each with the remaining bread crumbs. Brush the bottom of a baking dish with the remaining oil. Put the halves in a baking dish. Bake about 30 minutes.

CREOLE STUFFED EGGPLANT SOUP

Steps:

• 1. In a large stockpot, over medium heat melt the butter and saute the eggplant until slightly soft. Add the onions, season with a little salt and pepper, and saute until translucent; then add the celery, bell peppers, garlic and tomatoes.
• 2. Saute for about 5-10 minutes until the vegetables soften up. Add the rosemary and flour, and use a wire whisk to incorporate it into the vegetable mixture.
• 3. Cook the roux for 3-4 minutes until you get a white roux (don't brown the flour). Then add the chicken stock, a cup or two at a time, whisking to incorporate all the roux, then add a little more stock, whisk again and repeat until you have a nice smooth sauce.
• 4. Add the rest of the chicken stock, bay leaves, and the andouille, bring to a boil stirring often, then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 30 minutes.
• 5. Add the raw shrimp*, half & half, green onion, parsley, Creole seasoning to taste, then cook for 10 more minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed.
• 6. Leave the soup chunky like it is for a rustic effect; for a more elegant soup, you may puree it in batches in a food processor, or right in the pot with a hand blender.
• 7. *If you want to puree the soup, remove about 24 shrimp and set aside. Coarsely blend the soup so that it still has some texture to it.
• 8. Serve with toasted garlic french bread and place two or three whole shrimp on the top of the soup. Sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese if desired.